Lera Miles

Lera Miles works at the science-policy interface, focused on the appropriate use of maps and spatial data within planning processes to reflect the value of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Over the past decade, her main focus has been on nature-based solutions and especially REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation ‘plus’ sustainable management of forest and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks). In 2017, she led a rapid map-based assessment of the values and threats to the Central Congo Basin peatlands, and will soon be overseeing a global assessment under the Global Peatlands Initiative. Lera leads the Planning for Places theme at UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Before joining UNEP-WCMC in 2002, Lera completed her PhD at Leeds University on “The impact of global climate change on tropical forest biodiversity in Amazonia”.