World Database on Protected Areas

Data for the WDPA is collected from international convention secretariats, governments and collaborating NGOs, but the role of custodian is allocated to the Protected Areas Programme of UNEP-WCMC, based in Cambridge, UK, who have hosted the database since its creation in 1981.

The WDPA delivers invaluable information to decision-makers around the world, particularly in terms of measuring the extent and effectiveness of protected areas as an indicator for meeting global biodiversity targets.

This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the status of the world's protected areas and offers strategic recommendations to meet international conservation goals.

The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda and capacity building aim to improve the relationship of people with their environment globally.

The Convention entered into force in 1975 and its mission, as adopted by the Parties in 1999 and refined in 2002, is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

Through Protected Planet the information in the WDPA is openly available in numerous formats and is used not only within the biological science community, but also for individuals, government agencies, non-profit organisations and private sector businesses.

Protected Planet was launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity 10th Conference of the Parties in Nagoya Japan in October 2010[17] and was largely funded by investment from the private sector.

It is hosted on multiple servers across the globe, and registered data providers can range from being a single individual to a large global organisation.