What is the function of the IUCN?

The IUCN, or the International Union for Conservation of Nature, plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. One of its primary functions is to list threatened species globally through its Red List of Threatened Species. This list categorizes species based on their conservation status, ranging from "Least Concern" to "Critically Endangered."

This database serves multiple critical purposes: it helps in raising awareness about the status of various species, guiding conservation efforts, and informing policymakers, researchers, and the public about the urgency of protecting these species. By providing scientifically-backed assessments of species' risks of extinction, the IUCN acts as a global authority on the conservation of nature, effectively aiding in the prioritization of conservation actions and the allocation of resources to where they are most needed.

While promoting sustainable development, overseeing international environmental policies, and conducting scientific research are also important aspects of global conservation efforts, they are not the specific function that distinctly characterizes the IUCN's major role in biodiversity conservation. The IUCN primarily focuses on the categorization and assessment of species at risk, making this function central to its mission.