IUCN

Context

The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reveals that climate change poses a threat to numerous species, including Atlantic salmon and green turtles.

IUCN

The IUCN, or International Union for Conservation of Nature, is a leading global organization working on nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Mission:

• To influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

 Key Activities:

• Monitors the status of the natural world: They assess the threats facing species and ecosystems, publish the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and track progress towards conservation goals.
• Steers policy and action: They provide scientific advice to governments and other stakeholders, develop conservation plans and guidelines, and advocate for policies that protect biodiversity.
• Promotes sustainable use: They work with communities and businesses to ensure that the use of natural resources is sustainable and doesn’t harm the environment.
• Builds knowledge and capacity: They conduct research, share information, and train people in conservation skills.
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Impact:

• Global authority on nature conservation: The IUCN is recognized as the world’s leading authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
• Protected areas: They have played a key role in establishing and managing protected areas around the world, covering millions of hectares.
• Threatened species: They have contributed to the recovery of many threatened species, including the panda, the black rhino, and the Arabian gazelle.
• Sustainable use: They have helped to develop and implement sustainable practices for agriculture, forestry, and other industries.

Structure:

• Membership Union: Government and civil society organizations from around the world join the IUCN, providing a platform for collaboration and action.
• Secretariat: Based in Gland, Switzerland, the IUCN Secretariat coordinates the work of the organization and provides support to its members.
• Commissions: Experts from different fields volunteer their time to work on specific issues through six thematic commissions and several specialist groups.