The major thematic work of IUCN includes biodiversity, climate change, energy, public well-being, and promotion of GE, whereas it applies science- based action to obtain the goals through the policy influences. Table 4.1 summarizes its modalities for a sustainable world.
In addition to these core programs, IUCN also has special initiatives that coordinate work across individual programs on specific issues like climate change, energy, ecosystems and livelihoods, mangroves for the future, conser- vation for poverty reduction, and on for the future of sustainability. IUCN has programs for all types of animal and plant species and all types of ecosystems.
It has a wide range of major environmental and sustainability initiatives that focus at the species-level and at the ecosystems-level (Robinson 2005, IUCN 2010). The thematic programs are directed on the basic principles of knowledge; which IUCN develops and supports through cutting-edge conservational science;action,as it runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments;influence,as it shares its tools with governments, NGOs, international conventions, UN organizations, companies, and communities; andempowerment,by helping the governments
54 The IUCN – An International Organization for Environment Conservation Table 4.1 The key program areas and influence of science for action and mitigation Biodiversity conservation is central to the mission of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. It demonstrates how biodiversity is fundamental to addressing some of our greatest challenges: tackling climate change, achieving sustainable energy, improving human well-being, and building a GE. (2)
Science – IUCN’s expertise on biodiversity is unrivalled. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species TM is the world’s leading resource on the conservation status of plant and animal species. Also, as an 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 – It combines the best available science with the traditional knowledge of local communities to reverse habitat loss and protect these vital ecosystems.
Influence – More than 75 countries have turned to IUCN for help in drafting and implementing national biodiversity standards.
It provides policy guidance to major global environmental conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and is the only environmental organization with official UN Observer Status (3).
Climate Change Solutions: Nature as center – Conserving nature can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and help us adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Science – It 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, or identifying species that can act as an early warning of climate change, IUCN works to ensure that political decisions at all levels are based on the best available science.
Action – Its field projects around the world improve the management of natural ecosystems such as forests, river basins, mangroves, and coral reefs. Protecting this natural infrastructure helps to reduce carbon emissions and provides protection from extreme weather events. The Mangroves for the Future initiative is restoring the mangrove buffer in the Indian Ocean region to help protect people from storms and rising sea levels. Forest
conservation and restoration help reduce carbon emissions and help people adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Influence – It works with governments and partners under the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change to promote the inclusion of nature-based solutions to adaptation and mitigation policies (4).
4.7 The Commissions 55
Table 4.1 Continued
Energy: Helping society for transition to energy systems that are ecologically sustainable, socially equitable, and economically viable. A priority is to reduce the negative impacts of energy technologies and policies on biodiversity.
Science – It fills knowledge gaps about energy and ecosystems for better informed decision making by governments, the private sector, resource managers, and civil society. Examples include providing guidance on the impacts of offshore renewable energy on the marine environment; and producing toolkits that address the risks of invasive species introductions from biofuel production.
Action – It promotes ecologically sound energy solutions for development – whether it is sustainably producing and harvesting vegetable oil to meet the needs of rural communities, or working with Pacific island nations to develop sustainable energy policies.
Influence – It works with governments, civil society, and business leaders to develop policies that help us make the transition to more sustainable energy systems – from guiding the European Union on its Renewable Energy Directive to supporting the work of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (5).
People’s Well-being: Helps governments to understand how nature conservation supports for the well-being of the people. Working with farmers, fishermen, community organi- zations, and development agencies, the Union improves environmental management to increase food security and enhance the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable.
Science – It mobilizes research and
on-the-ground learning to understand how ecosystems and the way they are managed can enhance environmental and human security. It publishes management guidelines, including toolkits on how to manage water, forest, and marine resources equitably and sustainably.
Action – Well-managed natural resources in river basins, forests, and dry-lands provide goods and services that help reduce poverty. The Water and Nature Initiative involves 80 partners in transforming the way water resources are used in 12 river basins in Africa, Asia, and South America. Livelihoods and Landscapes, a major initiative addressing sustainable forests and poverty reduction, links on-the-ground experience from projects all over the world with efforts to change national policy.
Influence – It works with governments at local and national levels, bringing different stakeholders together to develop policies and institutions that support sustainable and equitable natural resource management for all (6).
(Continued)
56 The IUCN – An International Organization for Environment Conservation Table 4.1 Continued
GE: It works with governments to ensure that economic, trade, and investment policies bet- ter integrate biodiversity considerations. It works with companies, industry associations, and consumer groups to turn nature and environmental concerns into action. Its work helps to ensure the impacts of economic decisions, trade, and investment on biodiversity are considered, assessed, and better managed.
Science – It helps generate cutting-edge knowledge about the economic value of biodiversity and ecosystems and produces guidelines on pro-biodiversity business opportunities.
It also provides expertise on the design and implementation of innovative forms of conservation finance, such as payments for ecosystem services.
Action – It works with key economic sectors such as tourism, mining and agriculture. In Ghana, for example, it is partnering with agricultural firms to ensure that harvesting and processing of commercially valuable oil from the indigenous Allanblackia tree helps restore natural habitat and benefits local
communities.
Influence – It works with governments to ensure that
biodiversity is taken into account in economic and tax policy, financial systems, and markets.
It also influences many key international policy arenas, including the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum, as well as regional platforms such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) (7).
Source: IUCN 2010:2–7.
and other stakeholders to implement laws, policies, and best practices. IUCN has run thousands of projects around 60 countries based on these principles.