Fact Sheet: Community-led Conservation
View PublicationThe world is facing a mass extinction event, and so far has failed to meet any of its targets to reverse catastrophic biodiversity loss.
As governments consider how to incorporate biodiversity and other “green recovery” concerns into COVID-19 stimulus measures and recovery plans, they must look beyond traditional “top-down” conservation strategies.
A growing body of research and experience shows that “community-led conservation” models can be more effective in the long term at protecting biodiversity and carbon stocks than traditional conservation. This model is also more equitable and sustainable
development-friendly, given its focus on safeguarding rural and indigenous communities’ rights and livelihoods. Community-led conservation will be an increasingly important alternative and complement in the future to traditional conservation efforts.