27 October 2010: The UN Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has launched an electronic guide, “A-Z Areas of Biodiversity Importance.” Geared to assist the business community and governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, the A-to-Z list is an online resource on over 30 important areas for biodiversity conservation, ranging from World Heritage Sites to Key Biodiversity Areas.

The guide was launched on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), which is convening in Nagoya, Japan. The guide aims to provide: a comprehensive overview and analysis of the biodiversity and socio-economic characteristics of important areas; a user-friendly, business-relevant section including legal and compliance information; and links to additional information and spatial tools.

The A-Z guide also seeks to add value to the increasing biodiversity management toolbox, through the provision of information and knowledge to assist the private sector in better addressing the risks and opportunities associated with the business-biodiversity interface. [The online resource] [UNEP Press Release]