The global airline coalition Star Alliance together with UNESCO-MAB, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and IUCN has joined forces under the "Biosphere Connections" programme to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Through Biosphere Connections, the Star Alliance will support UNESCO-MAB, Ramsar and IUCN in their conservation efforts and especially the local field scientists who conserve and manage biosphere reserves, wetlands, national parks and world heritage sites around the world. Similarly, UNESCO-MAB, Ramsar and IUCN will help Star Alliance airlines to further improve their environmental performance and their commitment to sustainable social and economic development, in the communities they serve and beyond.

In relation to MAB, Biosphere Connections will in particular help field staff and managers of biosphere reserves attend training courses and workshops, build their capacity and skills to conserve biodiversity in their regions. Biosphere Connections will also help raise awareness of the importance of their work among governments, businesses, civil society organizations and the media. For example, Star Alliance airlines will feature Biosphere Connections information during in-flight film vignettes and via web sites and in-flight magazines.

Over time, UNESCO-MAB will seek to support the development of carbon emission offsetting projects in biosphere reserves of interest to airlines and their customers.

• Press release