IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

KNOWLEDGE - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species[TM] is the world’s leading resource on the conservation status of plant and animal species.

As the official technical advisory body to UNESCO, IUCN evaluates all proposed natural World Heritage sites and monitors the conservation status of all existing sites.

ACTION - Through hundreds of field projects around the world - from managing national parks to protecting groups of species - IUCN combines the best available science with the traditional knowledge of local communities to reverse habitat loss and protect ecosystems.

INFLUENCE - More than 75 countries have turned to IUCN for help in drafting and implementing national biodiversity standards. IUCN provides policy guidance to major global environmental conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. It is the only environmental organization with official UN Observer Status, giving nature a voice at the highest international level.

KNOWLEDGE - IUCN mobilizes research to measure the impacts climate change is having on biodiversity and to identify conservation solutions. From studying fragile coral reefs, to understanding the role of marine ecosystems in storing carbon, IUCN aims to ensure that political decisions at all levels are based on the best available science.

ACTION - IUCN’s field projects improve the management of natural ecosystems such as forests, river basins, mangroves and coral reefs. Protecting this natural infrastructure helps to reduce carbon emissions, provides protection from extreme weather events and helps people adapt to climate change impacts.

INFLUENCE - IUCN works with the United Nations Convention on Climate Change to include environmental solutions in a framework for global action.

KNOWLEDGE - IUCN harnesses the latest knowledge about the impacts different energy options have on nature and how to limit them. It fills knowledge gaps about energy and ecosystems for better informed decision-making by governments, the private sector, resource managers and civil society.

ACTION - IUCN supports pilot projects for renewable energy – whether it’s harvesting vegetable oil to meet the basic energy needs of rural communities, or working with Pacific island nations to develop sustainable energy policies.

INFLUENCE - IUCN works with industry to help improve its environmental performance. It is also working with government and business leaders, from guiding the European Union on its biofuels policy to helping establish the International Renewable Energy Agency.

KNOWLEDGE - Working with farmers, fishers and development agencies, the Union helps to improve environmental management and provide cost-effective solutions that help increase food security and improve the livelihoods of the poor.

ACTION - Well-managed natural resources in river basins, forests and drylands provide goods and services that help reduce poverty. Several of IUCN’s projects feed on-the-ground experience into national policy.

INFLUENCE - IUCN publishes management guidelines, including toolkits on how to manage water and forest resources sustainably.

KNOWLEDGE - IUCN helps generate knowledge about the economic value of biodiversity and ecosystems and provides guidelines on pro-biodiversity business opportunities.

ACTION - IUCN works with key economic sectors such as tourism, mining, and agriculture to ensure biodiversity concerns are integrated into their operations.

INFLUENCE - IUCN works with governments to ensure that biodiversity is taken into account in economic and tax policy, financial systems, and markets. IUCN influences many key policy arenas, including the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum.