NEW YORK, NY (May 21, 2024) -- To meet the imperative of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target, which seeks to protect at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030, researchers in an essay in PLOS Biology argue that “conservation areas need to be large enough to encompass functioning ecosystems and their associated biodiversity, and located in areas of high ecological integrity.” These priority areas, which the authors call “Nature’s Str...

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2024—The following statement was issued on behalf of WCS's Luthando Dziba: Miombo woodlands are the world’s expansive dryland forest, spanning over 1.9 million km2 across more than eight countries within the greater Zambezi Basin. This extensive area plays a crucial role in global climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development efforts. More than 250 million people live in Miombo areas, and the v...

Dubai, Dec. 13, 2023 – The following statement was released by WCS President and CEO Monica Medina upon the conclusion of the UN Climate Conference: “The countries of the world leave COP28 in Dubai with a consensus to transition away from fossil fuels, and in a world full of conflict, that is progress. This consensus may mark the beginning of the end of the road for fossil fuels. But we are gravely concerned that it does not take us far enough or fast...

Dubai, Dec. 9, 2023 -- The following statement was issued today as ministers at the UN Climate Conference, COP28, signed a watershed “Joint Statement on Climate, Nature and People.” The joint statement was launched by the UAE UNFCC COP28 Presidency and the People’s Republic of China CBD Presidency. The statement calls for adopting a synergetic approach, aligning national climate and biodiversity plans and strategies, to support the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-M...

Dubai, Dec. 4, 2023 -- Recognizing the importance of ecological integrity to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, including climate regulation, the Government of the Republic of Congo, represented by the Ministry of Forest Economy, and WCS have initiated a new program to attract investment in the conservation of high-integrity tropical forests. This joint commitment to developing pilot investment projects in high-integrity forests is demonstrated by the signing of a Memorandum of...

NEW YORK, November 28, 2023 -- The following statement was issued today by the Wildlife Conservation Society: Second only to reducing fossil fuel consumption, protection of carbon stocks in natural forests and other ecosystems represents the most viable strategy available to mitigate climate change at scale. Protecting carbon-rich ecosystems also provides extensive benefits to biodiversity and the local communities reliant on forest resources. High-integrity climate finance projects remain an...

New York, Nov. 10, 2023 – Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) climate specialists and policy experts will hold a virtual news briefing 10AM ET Friday, Nov. 17 on the issues that will be addressed at the United Nations global climate summit, COP28 UAE in Dubai. WCS runs the largest field-based conservation program in the world; protecting more than 50 percent of the world’s known biodiversity. What:  Virtual Pre-COP28 Press Briefing When:  10AM ET to 11AM ET...

Here’s a climate solution we can all get behind: don’t kill elephants. Or poach gorillas – or wipe out tapirs, hornbills, or other large-bodied wildlife that eat fruit and disperse large seeds.

The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society upon the launch of the new innovative Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). The fund is designed to finance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Vancouver, Aug. 22, 2023 – The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society concerning the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) to finance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The fund will be officially launched here on Thursday, Aug. 24, during the Seventh Assembly meeting of the Global Environment Facility. Said Monica Medina, President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society: “The ur...