Protecting the Planet Newsletter, July 2025

IUCN
August 11, 2025

Protecting the Planet Newsletter, July 2025 Download

MAPPING EQUITABLE, EFFECTIVE PATHS TO ACHIEVING 30X30

July 2025

Highlights

Six new Protected Areas join the IUCN Green List

From the misty mountains of China’s Sichuan Province to the coral-rich waters off Colombia’s Pacific coast, six exceptional protected areas have been added to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, the global standard for effective and equitable area-based conservation. Read more

IUCN at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

Following IUCN advice, seven new areas have received World Heritage recognition, the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) were removed from the Danger List, and nearly 80 sites were evaluated. The IUCN Director General also underscored the vital role of Indigenous Peoples. Read more

Innovation Challenge Workshops: Exploring Emerging Technologies for Conservation Impact

This August and September, conservation practitioners and technologists are invited to take part in a series of online workshops exploring how artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and gamification can support transformative conservation outcomes. Read more

The path to protect 30×30

We’re committed to supporting nations around the world to achieve Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and with it, to conserve 30% of the world’s ecosystems by 2030.

Putting Biodiversity Action on the Map

Discover how conservation comes to life across the EU Overseas with the new BESTLIFE2030 interactive map from IUCN. This user-friendly tool shines a spotlight on local biodiversity efforts—making them visible, searchable, and strategic. Explore projects by location, theme, or funding, and uncover gaps, overlaps, and opportunities.

From connecting fragmented regions to guiding policy and funding, the map empowers coordination and amplifies the impact of local action. Start exploring today and see how biodiversity is being protected—and where more help is needed. Read more

China-Europe Dialogue on OECMs seminar held in Beijing

Representatives from government departments, academia, conservation organizations, and international bodies, including experts and practitioners in the field of biodiversity conservation, participated in the seminar to contribute international experience and local insights for the implementation of OECMs in China. Read more

Libreville au cœur de l’action pour la conservation de la biodiversité

Du 30 juin au 4 juillet 2025, la ville de Libreville accueille le Forum régional d’échange de connaissances sur la Cible 3 du cadre mondial pour la biodiversité de Kunming-Montréal. Ce forum, coorganisé par UNEP-WCMC, le Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Écologie et du Climat et WWF Gabon, avec le soutien financier du Bezos Earth Fund, réunit des représentants des administrations publiques, des organisations régionales, des ONG ainsi que des communautés autochtones et locales. Read more

What counts? – Ensuring effective conservation

Through the IUCN Green List Standard, the global benchmark for protected and conserved areas governance and management, we are working to ensure that 30×30 means real and effective achievement of conservation goals.

The IUCN Green List Pavilion at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

The IUCN Green List Pavilion will be a vibrant, participatory space at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, where the global conservation community comes together to celebrate ten years of progress in delivering impact. More than just a physical space, the Pavilion will be a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration where conservation successes are demonstrated, new partnerships are formed, and commitments to a nature-positive future are forged.

Read the flyer HERE! Green List Pavilion – Further Information

Elevating Marine Conservation Excellence: Coral Triangle Embarks on IUCN Green List Journey

The Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity, took a bold step toward securing its future as 65+ marine conservation leaders gathered in Bali for a landmark regional workshop. Read more

Advancing Marine Conservation Excellence: Laut Banda MPA Embarks on the IUCN Green List Journey

A participatory assessment paves the way for effective, equitable, and resilient marine protected area management in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle. Read more

Who counts? – People at the centre of conservation

As important as ‘what counts’, is ‘who counts’. We are working to put people at the centre of conservation through supporting Indigenous peoples and local communities to lead and benefit from 30×30.

Protecting the Mesoamerican Reef – Belize

Learn about the work undertaken by BIOPAMA grantee, Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) to increase knowledge, protection and monitoring of fish spawning aggregation sites around the Mesoamerican Reef, Belize. Watch the video

Hot off the press

Extractive licenses overlap with 1/3 of World Heritage sites

Jointly released by UNESCO, IUCN, WWF and partners, a new report analysed the presence of oil, gas and mining licensing in World Heritage sites, and highlights the critical role investors can play in assessing their risk exposure and influencing extractive companies’ practices. Read more

Events and Getting Involved

Feature your conservation photo!

Tell our readership of +11,000 conservationists about a story that matters to you. Send us your photo, a 50-word caption and the photo credit, with ‘Feature My Photo’ in the subject line, to have it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters.

Send your submission to [email protected]

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