Policy Leaders Consider Solutions for Biodiversity at Davos Meeting

Davos, 29 January 2010 - The environment was a prominent theme at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, one month after the UN climate conference in Copenhagen demonstrated that global leadership is essential to reverse global warming. Biodiversity preservation was identified as critical first step to tackling climate change in Copenhagen, and this week in Davos world leaders discussed practical actions that will allow countries to move beyond rhetoric. Speaking at a session on biodiversity at Davos on Thursday, Pavan Sukhdev, study leader for UNEP's The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project urged policy-makers to recognize the significance of biodiversity as natural capital, not only as a crucial support for human well-being, but also as a means for delivering value to the economy.

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Major environmental issues arising for Haiti recovery

Port-Au-Prince, 28 January 2010 - Two weeks after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, a massive humanitarian operation is underway and aid is beginning to reach those who desperately need it in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. The most urgent priorities remain water, health care, shelter and food. Thanks to a team of senior experts on the ground, UNEP continues to provide technical assistance and support on environmental matters to the Humanitarian Country Team and to the local government, including through emergency environmental assessments of affected sites and active participation in the humanitarian cluster system.

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