International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Created in 1948, IUCN encourages and supports communities to protect the natural world, safeguard biodiversity, reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems, advance sustainable development and ensure the equitable use of natural resources. It is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.

The organization has over 1.400 members and is active in more than 160 countries worldwide. In 2021, IUCN opened its membership to subnational governments. This step recognizes the critical role subnational governments and cities have in creating a sustainable future and achieving IUCN’s global mission to protect and restore biodiversity. As a result, subnational governments can now join IUCN with a full voice and can table and debate motions, thereby directly influencing the global conservation agenda.

IUCN’s work is organized along 7 commissions dedicated to species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication. IUCN broad knowledge base and diverse membership make it an incubator and trusted repository of best practices, conservation tools, and international guidelines and standards.

IUCN’s urban thematic work

IUCN works on several overarching themes connected to flora and fauna protection and ecosystem conservation in urban contexts. IUCN offers tools and solutions for local and regional governments to contribute to its objectives.

Nature-based solutions in cities

Of particular importance is IUCN’s work on nature-based solutions (NbS) for cities. NbS are cost-effective solutions to enhance the sustainability, resilience and liveability of cities: trees mop up pollutants, dampen noise, and cool the air; wetlands and raingardens reduce flood risk; mangroves and marshes buffer storms; greenspaces facilitate exercise, spiritual nourishment and community interaction; and greenways support active travel. IUCN supports cities in putting in place NbS with tools and frameworks such as:

• The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions is a robust framework that helps increase the impact and scale of Nature-based Solutions. This framework consists of 8 criteria with 28 associated indicators with guiding questions that help the user assess and improve their Nature-based solution.
• The IUCN Urban Nature Indices measure the ecological performance of cities. They are intended to help policymakers, stakeholders and local communities understand their impacts on nature, set science-based targets for improvement, and monitor progress using science-based measures.
• PANORAMA Cities is a partnership network where the World Bank, IUCN and their partners gather and share inspiring case studies, lessons learnt and best practices. Drawing on research and project experience in sustainable urban development and disaster risk management from across the world, PANORAMA showcases pragmatic solutions to a multitude of pressing urban challenges.
• The Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) is a framework for local and regional governments to analyse and identify potential areas for forest landscape restoration as a means to restore ecological integrity and to generate additional local-to-global benefits by boosting livelihoods, economies, food and fuel production, water security and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Relevant IUCN projects include:

• The “Enhancing Nature-based Solutions for Accelerated Climate Transformation (ENACT)” Partnership works to accelerate collective global efforts to address climate change, land and ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss through NbS. The partnership was launched in 2023 by Egypt and Germany, in collaboration with IUCN. IUCN hosts ENACT’s secretariat, which leads the implementation of the Partnership.
• NetworkNature is a resource for the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) community, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic action to maximise the impact of NbS in Europe and beyond. NetworkNature provides a platform where different stakeholders can access tailored resources, tools, and real-world examplesto support the design and implementation of NbS. The project is supported by, among others, IUCN, ICLEI, the European Union and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Urban food systems

IUCN is also engaged in the thematic area of food and agricultural systems, a particularly relevant issue for local and regional governments. IUCN pushes for sustainable, nature-positive multifunctional food systems which sustainably and equitably use, conserve and restore biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, and safeguard food security, nutrition and local livelihoods. Local and regional governments play a key role in developing and implementing these sustainable food systems that benefit the health and well-being of their residents as well as the local economy.

Biodiversity in cities

Biodiversity plays a critical role for human health and well-being, economic prosperity, food safety and security, and other important areas necessary for the individual and collective wellness of all human societies. However, habitat destruction, invasive species, overexploitation, illegal wildlife trade, pollution and climate change put the survival of species worldwide at risk. IUCN is at the forefront of global efforts to halt the extinction crisis and to sustainably manage, conserve and restore ecosystems, including in urban environments.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, key components of IUCN thematic work on biodiversity, are a uniquely useful tool for local and regional governments to monitor, assess and reverse biodiversity and habitat loss in their jurisdictions. IUCN can support LRGs in developing an integrated, sustainable approach to land management that protects biodiversity and ecosystems as well as human well-being. In urban areas, the creation of green spaces connected by green corridors provide habitats for local fauna and the rewilding of areas paved over, such as the detunneling of rivers to create open-air riparian ecosystems, are only some of the key nature-based solutions that help restore biodiversity and improve the quality of life of the city’s residents.

Protection of the (marine) environment and pollution

IUCN advocacy and research on marine environments (freshwater as well as coastal, oceanic and polar ecosystems) offers crucial tools for local and regional governments to advocate for the protection of oceans, seas and lakes. IUCN and local and regional governments can work together in raising awareness on the importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in advocating to expand the share of marine protected areas and in developing capacity at all levels to efficiently, inclusively and sustainably manage MPAs. The IUCN Ocean Team works on providing best practices to reduce the human impact on marine species caused by habitat degradation, overfishing, illegal trade and pollution.

Linked to this thematic area, IUCN is engaged to address the crisis of pollution, including plastic pollution, and advocates for a holistic approach, based on better cooperation and connectivity among Multilateral Environment Agreements, pollution treaties and other stakeholders. On the subject of plastic waste, IUCN recognizes the essential role that local and regional governments play in plastic waste management and in ending plastic pollution, especially in the marine ecosystem, and helps local communities strengthen their response through projects such as SIDA Plastics Programme of work (MARPLASTICCs). The objective of the MARPLASTICCs is to equip Governments, industry and society in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Asia Pacific regions with knowledge, capacity, policy options and plans of action to contain and reduce marine plastic pollution.

Additional resources and contact

• Issues brief on nature-based solutions to disasters (2017)
• Issues brief on ocean deoxygenation (2019)
• Issues brief on marine heatwaves (2021)
• Issues brief on cities and nature (2023)
• Issues brief on light pollution (2024)
• Issues brief on plastic pollution (2024)
• Issues brief on invasive alien species and climate change (2025)
• Six ways IUCN is driving action for biodiversity protection in food and agriculture systems across Europe (2025)
• IUCN Red List of Ecosystems
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas
• IUCN World Heritage Outlook
• IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology
• PANORAMA – Solutions for a Healthy Planet platform