This 2026-2029 IUCN Species Strategic Plan consists of more than 2,600 targets of the Species Conservation Cycle and Key Species Results.
IUCN Species Strategic Plan
The IUCN Species Strategic Plan encompasses the joint work of the Species Survival Commission as well as a number of partnerships.
11,400+
newDescription
biodiversity
assessments /reassessments.
5,800+
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in assessment tools, conservation planning,
conservation action and more.
1,200+
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conservation plans
to be developed.
Species Conservation Cycle
Established in the IUCN Species Strategic Plan 2017-2020, the Species Conservation Cycle is the conceptual framework for the Network activities. Its main purpose is to guide efforts for valuing and conserving biodiversity through three essential components that are linked to each other.
ASSESS: Understand and inform the world about the status and trends of biodiversity.
PLAN: Develop collaborative, inclusive and science-based conservation strategies, plans and policies for species within and beyond their natural ranges.
ACT: Convene and mobilise conservation actions to improve the status of biodiversity.
Implementation requires two transversal components:
NETWORK: Enhance the SSC network and its alliances to help achieve global biodiversity
targets.
COMMUNICATE: Drive strategic and targeted communications to enhance global conservation impact.
Targets overview
The main contribution of our network is centered around the Assess component of the Species Conservation Cycle, comprising 29.2% of all targets. These contributions correspond mainly to biodiversity assessments such as red listing and research activities. However, compared to the previous quadrennium, activities related to the Communicate component have increased from representing 13.3% of the total of targets to 19.4%.
