IUCN Green List Version 1.1 – Approved Nov. 2017

Global Standard

Version 1.1 – Approved Nov. 2017

Globally Applicable Standard

At the heart of the IUCN Green List initiative is a globally applicable Standard. It provides an international benchmark for quality that motivates improved performance and achievement of conservation objectives. By committing to meet the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard, site managers must demonstrate and maintain performance and deliver real nature conservation results.

Globally Consistent, Locally Relevant

The IUCN Green List Standard is organised into four components of successful nature conservation in protected and conserved areas. The IUCN Green List Standard is organised into four components. The three baseline components concern:

Good Governance
Sound Design and Planning
Effective Management

These support the fourth component on Successful Conservation Outcomes that attests to the achievement of an area’s goals and objectives. Each component is supported by criteria and indicators to measure achievement. There are 17 criteria covering all four components.

Components, Criteria & Indicators

The seventeen criteria collectively describe the efforts needed to fully achieve the global Sustainability Standard and all must be achieved for green-listing. The indicators can be adapted to suit the local context.

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How Does It Work?

Areas that commit to achieving IUCN Green List status must demonstrate and maintain the Standard in three steps. The first is to enter the Application Phase and conduct a self-assessment. Progress to the next phases are independently evaluated by a technical Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL) and an impartial reviewer. In each Phase, the views and consensus of stakeholders are sought to inform the area’s ongoing performance.

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Application Phase

Commit to achieve the Standard.
Identity stakeholder and supporters.
Provide a self-assessment.
Pass an evaluation and eligibility check.

Candidate Phase

Provide relevant evidence against all criteria.
Consult with stakeholders.
Receive a site visit.
Pass an evaluation and Reviewer check.

Green List Phase

Admitted by the independent IUCN Green List Committee.
Pass a mid-term review.
Address concerns and alerts that arise.
Pass a 5-year renewal review.

Benefits / Impact of the Standard

Adapting the standard to the local context allows for it being globally consistent and locally relevant. While it is a benchmark for quality performance, it is also a capacity development tool for protected areas, and helps to identify which aspects of protected and conserved areas need to be strengthened. By focusing efforts on these aspects, it is more likely that success will be achieved.

A simple Theory of Change guides the Green List to ensure the delivery of direct, intermediate and long-term results as follows

Direct results

Improved capacity and exchange among peer networks of conservation experts and practitioners.
The IUCN Green List implementation and evaluation process identifies pathways and targets for action to achieve conservation success.
The IUCN Green List Programme certifies, celebrates and promotes protected and conserved areas that are effectively and fairly achieving their conservation goals.

Intermediate Results

Growing recognition and support for protected and conserved areas through an effective area-based conservation standard.
More effective targeting and use of resources to achieve enhanced conservation impacts.
Value for managers, communities, partners, stakeholders.
Value for governing agencies, donors, investors, sponsors.

Long-term result

Increasing global area of well-designed, fairly governed, and effectively managed protected and conserved areas achieving their intended objectives, and contributing to global sustainability goals.