‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations? [2023]

‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
The World Wide Fund for Nature

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organized under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It aims to reduce threats to ecosystems and their native species by increasing awareness of ways to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species.

Additional Information

IUCN is an international organization (NGO) working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
It is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education.
The organization is best known for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.
Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, founded in 1964, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
In the IUCN Red List, the official term “threatened” is a grouping of three categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable.
Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups:

Flowchart illustrating nine conservation status groups from IUCN Red List, categorizing species based on extinction risk from "Not Evaluated" to "Extinct." Color-coded labels range from green for lowest risk categories like "Least Concern" to red for high-risk categories such as "Critically Endangered," with arrows indicating progression from adequate data evaluation to increasing extinction risk.

International Arrangements to Control Invasive Alien Species

Global Invasive Species Programme: It is supporting the implementation of Article 8(h) of CBD with IUCN as a partner organisation to address the global threat from Invasive Alien Species (IAS).
Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention): It considers IAS as a threat to migratory species.
Ramsar Convention: COP 7 resolution addresses threats of invasive species to wetland ecosystems.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): States are required to protect and preserve the marine environment from intentional or unintentional introduction of alien species.

Option (b) is incorrect

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): an agency of the United Nations. It coordinates the UN’s environmental activities. It assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. It has overall responsibility for environmental problems among United Nations agencies. Addressing climate change or combating desertification is overseen by other UN organisations, like the UNFCCC and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
UNEP’s activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, environmental governance and green economy. The World Meteorological Organisation and UN Environment Programme established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. UN Environment is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group. UNEP has registered several successes, such as the 1987 Montreal Protocol and the 2012 Minamata Convention, a treaty to limit toxic mercury.
HQ: Nairobi, Kenya.

Important Reports by UNEP:
- Emission Gap Report,
- Global Environment Outlook,
- Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.
Major Programmes of the UNEP
- Clean up the World
- Billion Tree Campaign
- World Environment Day (June 5th)

Option (c) is incorrect

The Brundtland Commission, officially known as the World Commission on Environment and Development, was established by the United Nations in 1983. It is renowned for introducing the concept of sustainable development, emphasizing the need to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Their landmark report, “Our Common Future (1987),” outlined strategies for balancing economic development with environmental protection. The publication of the report is considered a milestone in triggering international awareness and discourse on the importance of global sustainable development.

Option (d) is incorrect

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund): It is an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1961.
It is the world’s largest conservation organization. WWF works in nearly 100 countries.
HQ: Gland, Switzerland.
Logo: Giant panda.
The Living Planet Report has been published every two years by WWF since 1998.
Notable worldwide campaigns: Earth Hour and Debt-for-Nature Swap.

Answer: (a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature; Difficulty Level: Medium

2023, PYQs