IUCN Green List featured in French strategy to protect 30% of natural areas by 2030

France has officially launched its 'National Strategy for Protected Areas 2030', mentioned by President Emmanuel Macron during the One Planet Summit. It was supposed to be announced in September 2020 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress but had been delayed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document emphasises seven key objectives and 18 operational measures to improve performance and to promote success stories for all Protected Areas, two of which explicitly promote the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas as a way to support experience-sharing. France has been actively involved in the Green List initiative since the Pilot phase in 2013, with 15 sites registered to date.

The efforts of the IUCN Green List team in mainstreaming the Green List Standard has resulted in having 10 references to the Green List in the document (including a description insert) and above all, two strategic objectives which explicitly mention it: 

• Measure 7: "Voluntary protected areas will also be able to commit to international quality management and governance quality labeling processes such as the IUCN Green List, in order to benefit from exchanges of experience, to continuously improve their performance and to promote success stories at the international level."
• Measure 14: "By 2030, the number of protected areas recognised under several international schemes, including Man and Biosphere reserves, World Heritage sites supported by UNESCO, registration on the IUCN Green List of Protected Areas will be significantly increased to enhance the exceptional biodiversity and quality of management."

This strategic recognition is an important step to leverage the Green List and strengthen the performance of the network through the Green List Standard.

Learn more about the new French strategy here.

      Photo: Government of France