Supporting the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Through the Added Value of the IUCN Green List Standard

The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard provides an internationally recognized sustainability benchmark for assessing whether protected and conserved areas, including other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), are governed equitably, adequately designed and planned, effectively managed, and capable of delivering successful conservation outcomes.Comprising 17 criteria, the Green List Standard supports the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) by establishing pathways for improvement, investment, and community participation aligned with KM-GBF targets.Sites that meet the Green List Standard contribute to Target 3 and can be reported by Parties as part of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).Furthermore, the Green List certification process directly enhances the planning, management, and conservation outcomes of candidate sites.This paper presents the IUCN Green List Standard as an evidence-based assurance mechanism, offering diagnostic tools and knowledge products to strengthen conservation efforts and bridge critical capacity gaps.By mapping the Green List criteria to KM-GBF targets, we demonstrate how the Standard contributes to achieving KM-GBF objectives, providing examples of supporting resources that offer scientifically validated management guidance for protected areas and OECMs.