Today, the first day of the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, I was honoured to open a side event that highlighted the on-the-ground impact of the IUCN Green List.
The event in the Green Zone here in Cali brought together government representatives, protected area managers, and evaluators to discuss the framework provided by the IUCN Green List. This collaborative effort aims to design and implement effective, cost-efficient management for protected and conserved areas, significantly advancing national and regional conservation efforts.
Organised by the IUCN Regional Office for South America, presenters from across Latin America highlighted how the Green List process has been instrumental in improving both public and private protected and conserved areas. These accounts demonstrated how nations are leveraging the Green List framework to meet conservation and social equity goals.
Andrea Barrero from Colombia shared that her country has recently achieved certification for three new Green List sites. These certifications have been crucial in fostering inclusive governance discussions, particularly on equity and stakeholder involvement, across the protected areas.
Marcos Pastor of Peru’s National Service of Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP) spoke about how the Green List framework has been instrumental in monitoring the effectiveness of protected area management and demonstrating measurable outcomes, which in turn has helped secure additional funding. Peru is placing special emphasis on communal protected and conserved areas, and the Green List has provided a structure to better engage and interact with local communities, including Indigenous populations.
In Bolivia, Elizabeth Padilla emphasised that a national strategy has been developed to implement the Green List, signalling a high-level commitment to improving conservation outcomes.
Mario Mejía from Costa Rica noted that their focus on private protected areas, especially in managing invasive species, has been strengthened through the Green List process.
Brazil, represented by Luciano Cardoso, recently certified its first Green List site, an achievement that has not only unlocked new funding opportunities but also mobilised key stakeholders to collaborate more effectively in protected area management.
This Green List community event was built upon a regional monthly call organized by IUCN’s South America office, which has proven invaluable in strengthening the exchange of best practices and building a cohesive regional community of practice. Green List evaluators on the panel noted that the regional dialogue provided them with greater insights into both local and global conservation challenges, enriching their approach to site evaluations.
Several other Green List events are scheduled over the next two weeks at COP16, ensuring continued discussions on how this framework can support biodiversity targets globally. (See some of the key events listed below.)
As always when I am able to learn directly from those using our tools, I am filled with hope that we will reach the goals we have set for ourselves. This was an inspiring start to an important two weeks.
Upcoming Green List events that will showcase the Green List as a vital tool for achieving the global 30x30 biodiversity targets include:
- October 27: Green List Development Dialogue (hybrid), at Hotel Spiwak, Cali
- October 27: Green List Awards Ceremony, at Hotel Spiwak, Cali
- October 29: Advancing Conservation Effectiveness through the IUCN Green List Dashboard, at the GEO Pavilion, Blue Zone.
- October 30: IUCN Green List Standard to drive progress on Target 3, at the IUCN Pavilion, Blue Zone, and livestreamed.
- October 30: Scaling Impact: new collaborative projects to advance 30x30 (celebration event), at the IUCN Pavilion, Blue Zone, and livestreamed.
For more information, see the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas Calendar COP16 or view the full programme of IUCN events at COP16.