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Climate Change and Adaptation on COP13 Agenda
Climate Change Adaptation – How Can Migratory Species Survive?
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is to evaluate the impacts of climate change on a range of focal species and ecosystems with a view to helping species adapt to a warming world. Last month was the hottest January ever recorded with global temperatures 1.14 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average. It follows the second hottest year on record, and the warmest decade since records began, according to the UN.
Convention on Migratory Species Appoints New Wildlife Ambassadors Representing Species that Run, Fly and Swim
Sacha Dench, Randeep Hooda and Ian Redmond will be named as CMS Ambassadors for Migratory Species © Aydin Bahramlouian
Internationally-renowned conservationist Ian Redmond OBE, award-winning explorer and environmentalist Sacha Dench, and Indian actor and equestrian Randeep Hooda will be named today as CMS Ambassadors for Migratory Species until 2023 under the redesigned Ambassadors Programme to be launched at CMS COP13.
New Migratory Species Champions to be Named on Eve of CMS COP13
Seven new Migratory Species Champions will be named at a special high-level event today just before the opening of the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13). © Aydin Bahramlouian
Seven new Migratory Species Champions will be named at a special high-level event today just before the opening of the Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13). The award ceremony will take place during a pre-cop event at the Gift Club and will be followed by a reception hosted by the Indian Government.
High-level Dialogue to Feed into Post-2020 UN Biodiversity Meeting
A High-level Segment is taking place on the eve of CMS COP13
Outcomes from a High-level Segment taking place on the eve of CMS COP13 will help to ensure that migratory species are prioritized in a new 10-year UN global biodiversity framework. CMS COP13 will kick off the ‘super year’ for biodiversity, which will culminate in the adoption of the new framework during the UN Biodiversity Conference in October.
New Proposals to Mitigate Effects of Infrastructure
Roads, railway tracks and fences can create barriers to the movement of animals © ganbayar/hureelen
Gobi Bear, Persian Leopard and Wild Sheep Set for Greater Protection
The Urial, a wild sheep, should be included under the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) © Rufus41
Massive Insect Decline Poses a New Threat to Migratory Species
Bee eaters with insects © Pixabay
For the first time, insect decline and its cascading effects on migratory species feeding on them will be on the agenda of a CMS COP. About half of all insect species are rapidly declining. A third face extinction, including generalist species which were once common and widespread. IPBES highlighted the dramatic loss of biodiversity and biomass in its global assessment report.
Amy Fraenkel Appointed as Executive Secretary of CMS
Ms. Amy Fraenkel, was confirmed yesterday as the Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals © Aydin Bahramlouian
Amy Fraenkel was confirmed yesterday as the Executive Secretary of CMS having served in an acting capacity since May last year. Ms Fraenkel has over 30 years of experience in international environmental law and policy. She has held senior positions in UN agencies, the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. Government, and the private sector.
New Guidelines Proposed to Address Light Pollution
© Diego Delso
The magical nocturnal spectacle of dancing fireflies could become a rare sight in the future. Light pollution is being cited as a leading threat to fireflies and other insects. In addition, declines in insect populations directly affect animals that feed on them. And, by brightening the night sky, artificial light impacts other species, too. Turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, as well as ecosystems at large are under threat. Light pollution can disrupt critical behaviour in wildlife, stall the recovery of threatened species and interfere with their ability to undertake long-distance migrations integral to their life cycle.
Global Action on Aquatic Wild Meat to Benefit Wildlife and People
People’s reliance on aquatic wild meat has grown © Stefan Austermühle
Decisions at CMS COP13 will result in targeted action on aquatic wild meat, which is a fast-emerging threat on a scale similar to that facing terrestrial animals. The CMS Aquatic Wild Meat Working Group – which has focused mainly on mammals and reptiles - is poised to expand its scope to cover all shark and ray species listed on CMS Appendix I. Criteria will also be developed to consider aquatic species listed on Appendix II, while more attention will be given to the harvesting of seabirds.