Today at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, IUCN has launched RHINO (Rapid High-Integrity Nature-positive Outcomes), a new approach guiding organisations on what to do, where to act and how to measure progress to protect species and ecosystems at pace and scale.

Developed through extensive consultation, IUCN RHINO responds to the urgent need for measurable, high-integrity biodiversity contributions, particularly from the private sector.

Built on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ and Species Threat Abatement Restoration (STAR) metric, it is an innovative whole of society approach that translates biodiversity data into actionable steps that organisations can take now, showing precisely where and how to reduce extinction risk and restore ecosystems, how to quantify the impact of those actions and deliver results aligned with global biodiversity goals. The approach provides science-based, actionable pathways to deliver Nature Positive outcomes. 

Speaking from the Congress in Abu Dhabi, Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said: “At this pivotal moment for our planet, the IUCN RHINO approach offers a much-needed framework to turn ambition into measurable, high-integrity action for a future where nature and people thrive together. Developed through wide consultation and built on the trusted science of the IUCN Red List and STAR metric, RHINO will help governments, organisations, companies and civil society identify exactly where and how to act – as we work towards reducing extinction risk, restoring ecosystems, and driving results that can be tracked against the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Nature Positive goals. It connects local action to global accountability, empowering all of society to ensure we take effective action and play a meaningful role in safeguarding nature.” 

The IUCN RHINO approach is an implementation-ready framework that provides three impact tracks to help organisations understand their interface with nature and guide their interventions to deliver Nature Positive outcomes now. It builds upon recognised global standards, notably the LEAP approach of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and has been informed by pioneering piloting. 

Commenting at the launch, Tony Goldner, Chief Executive Officer of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), said, “Following the release of the TNFD’s LEAP assessment approach and 14 recommended disclosures in September 2023, we have seen strong market demand for assessment tools to help companies and financial institutions identify, assess and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities. IUCN has been a valued partner in the development of the TNFD guidance since 2021 and the development of RHINO is a welcome addition to the analytical toolbox now available for market participants to use, backed by the scientific depth and rigour of IUCN.” 

Moving from recognition to action for a Nature Positive future

Today also sees the release of the IUCN RHINO Technical Source Document, setting out the approach, scientific underpinnings and alignment with existing frameworks, as well as a dedicated website rich with guidance and further resources. This is a practical guide for organisations, especially in high-intensive sectors to better understand and manage their nature related impacts and dependencies and to identify critical risks and opportunities. The website also features IUCN RHINO piloting case studies from Anglo American, a leading global mining company, and Suzano, the Brazilian leader in biomaterials and largest pulp manufacturer in the world.  

Commenting on IUCN RHINO, Ian Hudson, Vice President Nature, Land and Stewardship at Anglo American, said: “The ability to see how local action impacts global nature targets is a differentiator. We can see the full picture of the risks and dependencies as well as the opportunities for nature. This kind of visibility aligned to globally recognised standards allows us not only to better measure impact on nature but to act in a more targeted way where it is needed most.”  

Commenting on IUCN RHINO, Giordano Automare, Sustainability Executive Manager at Suzano, said: “Over the past year, Suzano has been testing IUCN RHINO, contributing to the development of our nature strategy. We are proud to be one of the first companies to explore its potential, as it helps make tangible the critical role our industry plays in biodiversity conservation. With more than 30 years of continuous biodiversity monitoring and an ambitious goal to connect 500,000 hectares through ecological corridors, this initiative enables us to translate data into practical actions that can reduce species extinction risk. Importantly, it also supports the alignment of our strategy with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, reinforcing our commitment to nature-positive outcomes.” 

Following the launch of the IUCN RHINO approach, the focus is now on showcasing learnings from the piloting and sharing actionable insights, with the ambition to empower more companies in the drive for future Nature Positive action.

Marco Lambertini, Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative, said: “To halt and reverse biodiversity loss and drive towards the full recovery of nature, we need rapid, measurable and high-integrity nature-positive outcomes. The consensus we are building on how to measure the state of nature needs practical approaches to monitoring progress. The new IUCN RHINO approach provides part of the answer to this through a clear, structured pathway to support timely and effective biodiversity action.”  

Welcoming the new IUCN RHINO approach at the launch, Special Envoy for Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Environment of Japan to IUCN WCC 2025, Professor Atsuhiro Yoshinaka, said: “We endeavour to be at the forefront of Nature Positive action in terms of strategy and practical action plans. The new IUCN RHINO approach is very aligned to our thinking of driving corporate engagement of TNFD and Nature Positive action to encourage a nature-harmonious society. As the host country of the Nature Positive conference in 2026 we welcome this new and innovative approach to link strategy and delivery for the benefit of nature.”