IUCN

The world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, setting the global Red List of Threatened Species and advancing conservation policies, science, and practice.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Description

Founded in 1948, the IUCN is a global membership union composed of governments, civil society organisations, and experts. It is best known for maintaining the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the most comprehensive global inventory of the conservation status of plant and animal species. Beyond the Red List, IUCN develops conservation standards, supports biodiversity governance, and convenes major events such as the World Conservation Congress.

Type	International NGO, membership union
Jurisdiction	Global
Sector Relevance	Conservation, biodiversity, policy, finance

Established / Active Since

1948

Maintained By / Organised By

IUCN Secretariat, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland

Official Resources

Relationship to Lemu

Atlas integrates IUCN’s Red List data into two key indicators:

Red List Species Presence – tracking species in an area based on their IUCN threat status.
LemuRank – weighting biodiversity value by incorporating IUCN categories.

This strengthens Lemu’s mission to make biodiversity visible through science-based, standardised signals.

Examples in Practice

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A government integrates IUCN Red List data into national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

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A financial institution uses IUCN categories to assess nature-related risks in its investment portfolio.

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A conservation NGO leverages IUCN standards to guide restoration projects and monitor species recovery.

Cross-Mapping with Atlas Indicators

Biodiversity > Red List Species Presence, LemuRank.

Updated on Aug 30, 2025