Our work
Our work
IUCN provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge, tools and projects that enable societies, economies and nature to thrive together. These include data, assessments and analysis, trusted standards, neutral convening fora, and capacity-building resources.
Informing policy
Setting conservation priorities
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IUCN Members convene every two to four years to debate and agree major policy issues through resolutions and recommendations. Since the organisation’s founding in 1948, IUCN Members have issued over 1400 Resolutions.
International policy
👁 read moreIUCN has a proven track record as a trusted policy and scientific advisor, and in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Rio Conventions and a number of other biodiversity-related conventions.
Grants and support
Grants and support
Supporting conservation action
👁 read moreApply for a grant or learn more about IUCN’s work supporting direct conservation action around the world.
GEF and GCF implementation
👁 read moreIUCN is an official implementing agency for the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund.
Partners and donors
👁 read moreIUCN relies on support from government institutions, foundations, partners and individuals. Learn more about our donors and partners, and how you can contribute.
Explore by theme
Like nature itself, IUCN’s work is interconnected. Work in one area draws upon, benefits and informs others. These themes and topics can help guide your exploration of what we do.
IUCN monitors species and ecosystems, and steers policy and action to protect and restore the natural world.
Biodiversity
Human wellbeing depends on nature and economic development can no longer come at nature’s expense. IUCN works to help countries mainstream nature into economic decisions, including making the private sector part of the solution for people and nature.
Business engagement
IUCN monitors the impacts of climate change on nature, and guides the conservation and restoration of ecosystems to help mitigate and adapt to it.
Climate change
IUCN works to provide everyone with fair access to clean water, and to protect the freshwater ecosystems on which humanity depends.
Freshwater and water security
Equality and equity underpin sustainable development. IUCN works to enhance the agency of all those who are marginalised due to factors such as gender, class, age, (dis)ability, ethnicity, race or sexuality, and to ensure environmental law is effective and just.
Governance - law and rights
Nature-based SolutionsTM leverage nature and the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimise infrastructure and safeguard a stable and biodiverse future.
Nature-based Solutions
IUCN works to conserve coastal, marine and polar ecosystems, and the many benefits they provide for humanity.
Ocean and coasts
IUCN works to protect ecosystems, promote the sustainable use of landscapes and advance justice and equity in conservation.
Protected areas and land use
IUCN Academy
The IUCN Academy harnesses IUCN’s expertise to build the capacity of professionals and postgraduate students alike, with diversity and interdisciplinarity at the heart of its activities.
IUCN convening
IUCN works to bring the right people together to share relevant knowledge and best-practices, build partnerships based on science and respect, and to drive conservation action at every level.
Science informs every aspect of IUCN’s work. IUCN is committed to generating, utilising and publishing sound, evidence-based research to advance nature conservation and sustainable development.