IUCN WCPA launches new publication on scaling up conservation

The publication, titled “Scaling Up Conservation in a Connected World” and authored by members of the IUCN WCPA Large-Scale Conservation Area Task Force, was launched today at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 at the Exhibition event “Sharing Stories on the Power and Practice of Very Large Scale Conservation” in the Americas Pavilion.  

“Conservation must operate at scale — across vast landscapes and seascapes through connected networks of protected areas. This volume brings to sharp focus globally outstanding examples of what conservation at scale looks like. It is a must read for a world that is aiming to effectively protect a third of the Earth’s surface by 2030,” said Dr. Madhu Rao, Chair, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

The publication explores a series of critical questions facing conservationists today: How big is “big enough” for protected and conserved areas to adequately address the biodiversity and climate crises? How can scaling up ecological connectivity allow countries to meet targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and other multilateral environmental agreements? And, finally, what does successful large-scale conservation look like in today’s world, both for nature and for people, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities?

The paper presents case studies from 12 major conservation initiatives spanning five continents—from the vast steppe grasslands of Kazakhstan to the rich marine ecosystems of the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific. The case studies explore the leadership and participation structure of these initiatives, the impacts of the initiatives themselves, the enabling conditions that have allowed for their success, and critical lessons learned.

Importantly, the publication also explores the financial sustainability and policy implications of the initiatives, recognising that large-scale conservation challenges are situated in the broader context of worsening biodiversity loss and accelerating climate change. The paper emphasises that addressing the mismatch between funding models and conservation needs is critical and lays out innovative financial mechanisms for doing so, including project finance for permanence (PFPs), payments for ecosystems (PES), and linking to climate finance.

Throughout the stories shared in this paper, several key lessons stand out around the urgency of the need to achieve global conservation at scale. However, solutions exist and can be made possible through collaboration, innovative financing, and policy strengthening. The publication ends with a call to action, pointing out that many of the tools for durable conservation are already in our hands and the rest are within our reach. Although the challenges facing conservation are urgent and complex, there is also room for hope, bold leadership, and innovation while advancing conservation at scale to address the triple planetary crisis and its far-reaching global impacts. 

The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world's premier network of protected and conserved areas expertise.  The Large-Scale Conservation Area Task Force, established in mid-2024, is a global community of practice connecting IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) members who are actively leading efforts to help achieve multiple targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

The full WCPA publication is available online. 

Supporting Quotes

“Sharing lessons from large-scale conservation areas, both terrestrial and marine, helps us tackle common threats and protect biodiversity epicenters. By exchanging knowledge, we can adopt innovative approaches in governance, partnerships, community engagement, and financing to expand our global impact,” said Rili Djohani, Executive Director, Coral Triangle Center.

“This publication highlights the significance of large, connected landscapes and scale to biodiversity conservation. We need to match the scale of ambition in conservation by working in and across large land and seascapes,” said Dr. Nyambe Nyambe, Executive Director of the KAZA Secretariat, Task Force Member.

“What makes this work valuable to me is seeing how our global community of practice has come together—sharing lessons and innovations from large landscapes in diverse biomes—to shape actionable recommendations that will guide conservation impact for years to come,” said Dr. Benjamin Lee, Director (Research & Advisory), Royal Commission for AlUla, Task Force Member.

“Global leaders in science, philanthropy, and government increasingly recognize the importance of large-scale conservation in addressing the significant challenges facing nature and people. I am excited about this collection of case studies, which I hope will support the innovative and often locally led conservation efforts growing in number and impact around the world,” said Shubash Lohani, Senior Director, Global Conservation Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts.

"This publication has given us the confidence and motivation to pursue large-scale area conservation. It has also connected us with a network of global experts, inspiring possible collaboration and impact," said Dr. Sunita Chaudhary, Ecosystem Services Specialist, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

"As Australia continues to navigate the conservation challenges that beset the 21st century, it remains more vital than ever that communities set aside passing controversies and link efforts through grass-roots initiatives. This latest publication by IUCN demonstrate this is not only doable, but is already underway in many of our most iconic and biologically rich regions of the world, providing inspiration for practitioners and stakeholders alike," said Gary Howling, Chief Executive Officer, Great Eastern Ranges Initiative.

"Until recently, many large-scale initiatives were working largely in isolation by default - Therefore, it is so energising that IUCN created this invaluable opportunity for comparable teams to meet and begin sharing our efforts, our solutions, and our experience for the first time. Being profiled alongside such impressive work is humbling for us, is building confidence in delivering at scale and at speed, and we hope will be inspiring for others to act too," said Vera Voronova, Chair, Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative.

“For 30 years, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) has advanced conservation at the scale nature demands. We’re proud to stand with IUCN partners in this global task force.  This Issues Paper and panel spotlight a growing movement to protect large, connected landscapes and seascapes—and show what’s possible when communities, governments, and industries come together. Now is the time to back large-scale conservation for the health of people, economies, and the planet,” said Jordan Reeves, Director of Landscape Connectivity, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.

“The Western and Southern Ustyurt conservation initiative demonstrates what is possible when science, policy, and local stewardship come together across borders. It’s a model for restoring ecological connectivity and coexistence in one of Central Asia’s most fragile yet resilient desert ecosystems—where the return of the Persian leopard has become a symbol of regional cooperation and hope,” said Tanya Rosen, Conservation X Labs & Team Bars Turkmenistan. 

“This publication is great opportunity to share lessons on challenges, innovation and best practices of managing large scale conservation areas across the globe. The case studies in this report and the Greater Virunga Landscape in particular, demonstrate that despite all the challenges, conservation at scale is achievable when partners (government, NGOs, local communities and CSOs) work together to achieve a shared vision,” said Michel Masozera, Africa Director, Policy and Partnerships, Wildlife Conservation Society.