Built on strong governance and a shared commitment
to excellence, the IUCN Green List unites a global
community advancing conservation worldwide.
The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas is the
global benchmark for what successful nature conservation looks
like. It is built on a rigorous, science-based Standard that helps
protected and conserved areas achieve – and maintain – the
highest levels of effective management, good governance,
and positive conservation outcomes.
More than a certification, the Green List is a global community
and a shared commitment to excellence. It provides clear
guidance for:
supporting stronger protected and conserved area systems
worldwide. By aligning efforts around a common Standard, the
Green List accelerates progress toward resilient
ecosystems, thriving biodiversity, and well-governed
conservation landscapes.
A world in which all protected and conserved areas are
effectively managed, equitably governed, and delivering
durable benefits for people and nature.
The Green List enables this vision by empowering sites with the
tools, evidence, and recognition they need to continuously
improve. It strengthens national and global commitments and
provides a roadmap for achieving the ambitions of the
Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular
its Target 3, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The logo’s concentric circles reflect themes
found in Indigenous art, symbolising the deep
interconnections between nature and people.
Its design is inspired by Indigenous art from
Arakwal National Park in Australia, the first site
in the world to achieve Green List status and
jointly managed with the Bundjalung of Byron
Bay People (Arakwal).
Additional elements evoke land and sea
contours, management zones, water, ripple
effects, and tree growth rings, capturing how
effective and equitable conservation creates
positive impacts across landscapes and
communities.
The IUCN Green List is entering a decisive decade. Having
consolidated its foundations, the initiative is now scaling up to
meet the urgency and ambition of global conservation
agendas.
The Green List Development Plan (2021–2030) sets out
how the programme will expand with integrity, ensuring its
credibility, impact, and long-term sustainability.
This plan strengthens governance, drives global demand,
expands capacity for effective management, integrates data
systems, mobilises sustainable finance, and builds a stronger
global community.
Developed through one of the most participatory processes in
IUCN programme history, with contributions from over 400
experts, partners, and community members, the Development
Plan is a living framework designed to evolve alongside global
The Green List Secretariat hosts and coordinates the
global programme within IUCN. It manages strategic
development, partnerships, fundraising, communications,
operational systems, and country onboarding.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
The Steering Group provides strategic oversight and
guidance for the Green List. It advises on programme
direction, growth, prioritisation, partnerships, and
performance.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
The Green List Panel is the independent assurance body
responsible for ensuring the credibility, consistency, and
integrity of site evaluations.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
The Standard Committee oversees the development,
revision, and maintenance of the IUCN Global PCA
Standard.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed
diam nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi
enim ad minim.
adipiscing elit, sed diam
nonummy nibh euismod
tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
aliquam erat volutpat
The IUCN Green List has its roots in over half a century of global efforts to strengthen the
quality, governance, and effectiveness of protected and conserved areas.
Since the 1970s, global conservation movements have called for stronger standards,
better management, and more inclusive governance. Earlier approaches focused on
identifying failures, but over time, the need emerged to recognise and scale success.
The idea of a positive, standards-based “Green List” emerged in 2008 and gained momentum
when IUCN President Valli Moosa asked:
Valli Moosa
IUCN President
Pilot projects began in multiple countries, leading to formal endorsement in 2012 and the first
recognised sites in 2014.
Since then, the Green List has grown globally through a “learning by doing” approach, driven
by countries, partners, and site teams committed to improving conservation outcomes.
Government agencies leading national implementation.
Institutions providing tools, data, and expertise.
STAY CONNECTED
Conservation Stories, insights an opportunities
Subscribe to receive the latest updates, resources and invitations
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Advancing effective and equitable conservation for nature and people through a global standard
