IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Nature provides all of our water, food, clean air, energy and shelter, in addition to protection from natural disasters, recreation and inspiration. It must be protected and used wisely. But social and economic development must also continue to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives.

So how do we balance the needs of people with the needs of the planet that supports us?

The backbone of all life on Earth, including our own, is biodiversity – the intricate network of animals, plants and the places where they live.

Conserving biodiversity – stopping the extinction of animal and plant species, and stopping the destruction of natural places – is the core of IUCN’s work.

Profoundly linked to biodiversity are four of humankind’s greatest challenges: climate change, energy, livelihoods and economics.

These issues all impact, and in turn are impacted by, the environment. None can be solved without actively considering nature and biodiversity in particular. IUCN therefore works on each of these four areas through its core work on biodiversity.

For biodiversity, as well as for climate change, energy, livelihoods and economics, IUCN supports the development of science and knowledge; brings together people and organizations from all sectors and countries to find pragmatic solutions; and helps develop and implement policy, laws and best practice.
 

All of IUCN’s work on biodiversity, climate change, energy, livelihoods and economics falls under a broad framework programme, discussed and approved by member organizations every four years at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress. The current programme runs from 2009-2012.

Within this broad programme, individual departments and initiatives in more than 60 offices, more than 1,000 member organizations, and more than 11,000 individual expert members, lead and manage the work in more than 160 countries around the world.