IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Over the last three decades, various approaches to identifying sites of significance for biodiversity have been developed (see the resources page for more information). These approaches generally focus on one group of species or one biome, and use diverse assessment criteria, which has resulted in some confusion among decision-makers as well as duplication of efforts.

As a consequence, IUCN members requested IUCN to convene a worldwide consultative process to agree an overarching methodology to identify Key Biodiversity Areas.

GLOBAL CONSULTATION

The WCPA-SSC Joint Task Force on Biodiversity and Protected Area is leading this global consultation and has identified and mobilised key experts and organizations, including IUCN Commissions and members, academics, practitioners, resources managers, conservation organisations, national decision-makers, private and financial sectors to be involved in the process. 

This process includes:

• stakeholders and end-users inteviews
• technical workshops
• regional consultation

In addition to formal meetings, an end-user process is being conducted throughout 2012 and 2013. Selected user groups are being interviewed, wherever possible in person or by phone/Skype, and case studies drawn up that summarise user needs, types of products required, alignment with existing procedures, potential concerns, and implications for KBA development. A synthesis document summarising key implications for the KBA process will be developed, drawing from the case studies.

KBA stakeholders and end-users

• Intergovernmental treaties
• Intergovernmental agencies
• Intergovernmental coalitions
• Multi-lateral Development Banks
• Donors
• Multinational companies and industry associations
• International conservation and development NGOs
• Government: conservation agencies
• Industry/industry associations (including national certification bodies)
• Investors
• Cultural/spiritual institutions
• NGOs
• Climate change
• Ecosystem services
• Restoration
• Indigenous peoples

Technical workshops

 A major milestone of the consultation was the Framing workshop organised in Cambridge in June 2012: the participants agreed that the mission of this new standard is to identify sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, for all levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem) and that is applicable in all regions to terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms. They also highlighted key questions for subsequent technical deliberation, on four high-level issues:

• Criteria and delineation
• Thresholds
• Governance mechanisms of the process
• Marine and freshwater issues

Regional consultation

In order to achieve a globally agreed upon standard, the IUCN has led a number of activities across the globe in order to build consensus, stakeholder buy-in and encourage collaborative work. 

Relevant stakeholders, within and beyond the conservation community, have participated actively in our events. Reports and lists of participants are available for all the regional workshops and can be found in the Appendices of the KBA Consultation Report 2012 which can be found here and on the resources page. 

A map of the location of the global consultation workshops to date can be found below as well as Table 2 highlighting the date, location and number of participants involved in the global consultation process. 

View KBA Global Map of Activities in a larger map

 Table 2. Date, location and participants of the global consultation. 

 Resources related to Key Biodiversity Areas can be found here.