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IUCN Species Survival Commission

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of more than 11,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world. Working in close association with IUCN Secretariat, SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. This information is fed into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Vision

A just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to both prevent the loss and aid recovery of the diversity of life on earth.

 
Mission

In the intersessional period of 2021–2025, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) enables IUCN to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity of biodiversity, and to ensure that the use of species is both equitable and sustainable, through:

  • the provision of knowledge on the status and trends of species;
  • developing policies and guidelines;
  • facilitating conservation planning; and
  • catalysing action on the ground and in the water.

SSC Network

The SSC Network is composed by 11,000 members, 172 Specialist Groups, 13 Task Forces, 15 Red List Authorities, 2 Action Partnerships.

The SSC Network strengths are to:

  • Provide expertise and identifies priorities in national biodiversity planning and policy.
  • Support country-led recovery networks where they exist or helping to establish them where they don’t.
  • Amplify and share success stories to learn from and inspire one another and to change the narrative to one of hope.
  • Continue to innovate, adapt, and forge new partnerships for impact.

The SSC Network is composed of experts who volunteer their time to represent and do work on behalf of the Commission. They work on thematic, taxonomic or national groups.