Nature’s last strongholds: Why UNESCO sites are a lifeline for a planet in peril

From the mist-covered peaks of Global Geoparks to the vibrant underwater cathedrals of World Heritage coral reefs, these sanctuaries are doing more than just preserving scenery; they are acting as the planet’s vital organs.

The report , titled People and Nature in UNESCO -Designated Sites , is the first of its kind to look at UNESCO’s entire network as a single, massive web of protection. Covering over 13 million square kilometres – an area larger than China and India combined – this network of 2,260 sites is proving that when we protect nature, nature protects us back.

A woman stands with her husband with a bundle of freshly sheared vicuña fibre in Chungará, Lauca National Park, Chile.

A fortress for biodiversity

The statistics are nothing short of breath-taking. These sites are home to more than 60 per cent of all mapped species on Earth .…