International Union for Conservation of Nature

The plastic pollution crisis

Plastics only began to be produced in large quantities following the second world war – but plastic pollution has since become one of the most serious threats humanity faces. By 2015, 60% of all ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

On World Rhino Day 2024, a mixed story for the world’s five species of rhinos

Africa’s total rhino count has continued to increase despite poaching, while certain species in Asia face an existential threat. In Africa, poachers killed a total of 586 rhinos (mostly the more ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

Comprehensive update to the world’s biodiversity hotspots project begins

An international consortium today announced a major update to the world's biodiversity hotspots, funded by the Hempel Foundation. The two-year initiative aims to generate detailed scientific data to ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

African elephant species now Endangered and Critically Endangered - IUCN Red List

The African forest elephant (loxodonta cyclotis) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species occurs in the tropical forests of Central Africa, and a range of habitats in West ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

My Mangroves, My Livelihood

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2015 and celebrated each year on 26 July, aims to raise awareness of the importance ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

IUCN Red List reveals world’s mammals in crisis

Barcelona, Spain, 6 October, 2008 (IUCN) – The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals has confirmed an extinction crisis, with almost one in four at risk of disappearing forever, ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

Over 40% of coral species face extinction – IUCN Red List

Baku, Azerbaijan, 13 November 2024 (IUCN) – Forty-four per cent of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ reveals following a global ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

In the spirit of nature, everything is connected

Earth’s ecosystems have evolved for millions of years, resulting in diverse and complex biological communities living in balance with their environment. Since the 16th century, human activity has ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

First-of-its-kind study shows conservation interventions are critical to halting and reversing biodiversity loss

A new study in the scientific journal Science provides the strongest evidence to date that not only is environmental conservation successful, but that scaling conservation interventions up would be ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

IUCN launches consultation on developing a strategy for invasive alien species

The IUCN is pleased to announce the launch of a wide-ranging consultation aimed at gathering feedback from its constituents and beyond on the need for an IUCN strategy focused on invasive alien ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

IUCN Director General’s open letter to ISA Members on deep-sea mining

Dear Members of the International Seabed Authority, In September 2021 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, IUCN Member States, civil society and Indigenous organisations overwhelmingly voted in ...
International Union for Conservation of Nature

Pakistan’s Billion Tree Tsunami restores 350,000 hectares of forests and degraded land to surpass Bonn Challenge commitment

The Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project in Pakistan’s northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province has surpassed its target by restoring and planting trees in 350,000 hectares of degraded forest ...