International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global environmental organization founded in 1948 with the mission to influence, encourage, and assist societies throughout the world in conserving the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The IUCN is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, comprising more than 1,400 member organizations, including governments, NGOs, and indigenous peoples’ organizations, as well as over 17,000 expert members in more than 160 countries.

History

The IUCN was founded on 5 October 1948 in Fontainebleau, France, following an international conference convened by the French government and UNESCO. The organization was initially named the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUPN) but changed its name to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1956. In 1990, the name was shortened to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), although the full legal name remains unchanged.

Organizational Structure

The IUCN is composed of three main bodies:

• The World Conservation Congress: The highest decision-making body of the IUCN, held every four years, where members vote on major policy decisions and elect the Council.
• The Council: The principal governing body of the IUCN, responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing the work of the Secretariat.
• The Secretariat: The operational body of the IUCN, led by the Director General, which implements the program of work approved by the World Conservation Congress and the Council.

The IUCN also has six Commissions that provide expert guidance and support on specific conservation issues:

• Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)
• Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)
• Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP)
• Species Survival Commission (SSC)
• World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)
• World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

One of the most well-known contributions of the IUCN is the Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of plant and animal species worldwide. The Red List categories, which range from “Least Concern” to “Extinct,” are based on criteria such as population size, geographic range, and rate of decline. The Red List is widely recognized as the most comprehensive and authoritative global assessment of species conservation status and is used by governments, NGOs, and conservation professionals to inform conservation policies and actions.

Protected Areas

The IUCN has played a crucial role in defining and promoting the concept of protected areas, which are essential for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. The organization has developed a global classification system for protected areas, known as the IUCN Protected Area Categories, which ranges from strict nature reserves to protected landscapes and seascapes. The IUCN also maintains the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), the most comprehensive global database of terrestrial and marine protected areas.

World Conservation Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world’s largest conservation event, held every four years. The Congress brings together representatives from government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia to discuss and decide on solutions to global environmental challenges. The most recent Congress, held in Marseille, France, in 2021, focused on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change and sustainable development.

Influence on Global Environmental Policy

The IUCN has played a significant role in shaping global environmental policy and has been instrumental in the development of several key international conventions and agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the World Heritage Convention. The organization also provides scientific and technical advice to governments, NGOs, and international bodies on a wide range of conservation issues, including biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development.

Funding

The IUCN is funded through a combination of membership dues, grants, and donations from governments, foundations, corporations, and individuals. The organization’s budget for the 2021-2024 program period is approximately CHF 140 million (USD 152 million).