CBD COP 16 Event: Youth it or lose it!
Traditional knowledge transmission for the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity. Join us for a youth-led conversation about how traditional knowledge strengthens youth's connection to their territories and safeguards biodiversity at CDB COP16 on October, 24th.
Sustaining water through forests
Tropical forests play a critical role in the stable provisioning of clean, fresh water and related ecosystem services. The challenge of water scarcity is exacerbated by climate change, with roughly half of the world’s population experiencing severe water scarcity for at least part of the year. At IUCN NL, we work towards sustained water supply for healthy ecosystems, productive landscapes and fair access to good quality water for local communities. Our distinctive approach to water and forests focuses on a bottom-up strategy, prioritising local CSOs and communities. We integrate the agendas of climate, water, biodiversity, and the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs).
Securing community forest concessions in Bafwasende, DR Congo
After dedicated effort and persistence, nine local communities in Bafwasende, DR Congo have secured their rights to more than 320,000 hectares in the form of local community forest concessions (CFCLs). This was the result of more than three years of advocacy, lobbying and collaboration with various stakeholders, including our partner Tropenbos DR Congo as well as provincial and national authorities.
Companies are violating the rights of Africans through logging
In West and Central Africa, companies are seizing forests for logging. In doing so, they are violating the rights of indigenous communities. Local and Western governments must help to address this issue.
Burning in silence: Bolivia’s forest fires and its threat to global biodiversity
This year’s forest fires in Bolivia have reached devastating levels, threatening unique ecosystems, including the Chiquitano Dry Forest. Despite the scale of destruction —burning over 4 million hectares, displacing entire communities, and endangering biodiversity —these fires have received far less global attention compared to the Amazon fires of 2019. Thousands of people have been forced to relocate as their homes and livelihoods go up in flames, and the widespread loss of crops has triggered food and water shortages.
Human rights defender from the Philippines passed away
To our great dismay, we have learned that Romel (‘Mel’) Cardenas de Vera passed away unexpectedly last week. Mel was a well-known and respected human rights defender in the Philippines.
Financiers with RSPO membership should stop greenwashing Socfin
Palm oil company Socfin is linked to land grabbing, environmental damage, and human rights violations. Yet, Socfin holds the RSPO label, a certification for sustainable palm oil. We call on 11 RSPO members to stop greenwashing Socfin.
Survey confirms civic space in tropical forest landscapes is under pressure
Effective forest conservation and Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&LC)-led forest governance can only be achieved in a context where civil society organisations (CSOs) and IP&LCs can act in a safe operational space. A survey carried out by the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA), of which IUCN NL is part in 2023 showed that partners and communities in the GLA’s Forests for a Just Future programme experience difficulties in their civic freedom, seriously impacting their work to protect forests and the livelihoods of IP&LCs in forest landscapes.
RSPO should reject membership of palm oil giant AAL
The Indonesian palm oil company Astra Agro Lestari (AAL) wants to become a member of the RSPO. This body for sustainable palm oil is okay with that, even though AAL causes significant harm to people and nature. The RSPO continues to greenwash harmful practices.