Story | 09 Des, 2021

A new Programme Structure for IUCN: Introducing the Centre for Conservation Action

Following the announcements made at the World Conservation Congress, IUCN has restructured the management of the thematic programmes under the leadership of Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis. A new functional structure will consist of four centres, namely the Centre for Conservation Action, Centre for Economy and Finance, Centre for Science and Data, and Centre for People and Governance.      

Trevor Sandwith has been appointed as the Director of the Centre for Conservation Action that will bring together four thematic teams, including the Protected and Conserved Areas Team; Marine and Polar Team; Forest and Grassland Team; and Species Conservation Action Team.  James Hardcastle will take over as Head of the Protected and Conserved Area Team in a transition that will be effective on 1 January 2022.

“I am excited to be able to bring the full suite of conservation action programmes together in our new centre”, says Trevor Sandwith. “As the world negotiates a new Global Biodiversity Framework, implementation is key, and our experience in developing comprehensive approaches to translate policy to action through the application of standards, investments in capacity development and in addressing critical needs, at site, system, national and regional levels will be strengthened under this structure.  The Centre for Conservation Action will work with the other Centres to design comprehensive investments to deliver outcomes for nature and for society”.

In particular, the Centre will be integrating our work across landscapes and seascapes, working towards setting and achieving the targets and goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework to meet the vision and direction agreed by the IUCN World Conservation Congress, including in Resolution 125, which among other considerations:

CALLS ON all components of IUCN to support, at a minimum, a target of effectively and equitably protecting and conserving at least 30% of terrestrial areas and of inland waters and of coastal and marine areas, respectively, with a focus on sites of particular importance for biodiversity, in well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) by 2030 in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework;

CALLS ON all components of IUCN to prioritise support for the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and the implementation of all protection, conservation and restoration activities with the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples, and with appropriate recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands, territories and resources, as set out under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and full respect for their diverse knowledge systems.

Anticipating his new role leading the Protected and Conserved Areas Thematic Team, James Hardcastle adds,

“We have great foundations to build on with a strong and competent team across all our regions. Central to our work is the IUCN Green List Sustainability Standard, which promotes equity, diversity and good governance as the hallmarks of successful area-based conservation. We will prioritize working with our partners and members to engage those ‘who count’ to decide on ‘what counts’ towards national and global area-based conservation targets. Through the IUCN Green List we will help incentivize action, share solutions, promote investment and develop capacities”