The ‘Arab Environmental Hotspots’ is an innovative platform to promote public awareness and engagement in the environmental conservation effort in the Arab region. Launched by the Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) in 2015, the interactive online tool provides users with credible information on internationally and nationally recognized conservation areas. It has online geo-located photos which exemplify a potential role of civil society participation.
While the platform is initially based on the latest World Database on Protected Areas and several other online sources, the promotion of citizen science through public participation in enhancing and updating the hotspots is essential.