Assessing the Impact of the World Conservation Strategy After 45 Years

In 1980, the UNEP, IUCN, and WWF published the World Conservation Strategy (WCS). This was the first time that the United Nations, alongside an intergovernmental organization (IUCN) and NGO (WWF), identified a comprehensive set of global conservation priorities. An evaluation of the WCS after 45 years provides insights into global progress in conservation implementation and its intellectual contribution to international strategies, including the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We assess progress on the 13 priority requirements and 14 priority international actions identified in the WCS by evaluating achievements to date, persistent knowledge gaps, and how priorities have shifted over time. Whilst many of the policy and institutional frameworks identified in the WCS have been achieved, most of the key priorities remain, at best, only partially achieved, having progressed more slowly than hoped. In several cases, the situation has worsened. The only clear exception to this trend is the case of protected areas, which, although beset with imperfections that limit their effectiveness, have a coverage far larger than that envisaged in 1980. We explore why some actions have shown progress while others did not and reflect on lessons for future conservation strategies.