NCEL Showcases State-Led Biodiversity Action at IUCN World Conservation Congress

Overview

In early October, NCEL attended the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Abu Dhabi, where state legislators joined other conservation leaders to share successes and help shape global conservation priorities. The IUCN has played an influential role in environmental policy in U.S. states recently, and NCEL’s panel this year showed how states have become leaders in efforts to conserve nature with lessons to be learned across the globe.

• What is the IUCN? The IUCN is a union of over 17,000 experts from 1,400 governmental and civil society organizations that collectively serve as the premier authority on the status of the natural world. The IUCN administers the Red List of Threatened Species, conducts scientific research, and implements on-the-ground conservation actions.

• What is the IUCN World Conservation Congress? The IUCN brings together its members and leading figures in the environmental space every four years at its World Conservation Congress (WCC). Together, governments, civil society, and Indigenous groups help chart the next agenda on conservation, climate change, and sustainable development at the WCC.

From State Action to Global Impact: NCEL’s Session on State-Led Biodiversity Conservation

Often referred to as “laboratories of democracy,” states are rapidly responding to the biodiversity crisis with innovative policies that can be scaled nationally or replicated across jurisdictions. NCEL’s session at the IUCN World Conservation Congress — From State Action to Global Impact — brought that leadership to the global stage. 

Moderated by NCEL, the session featured Vermont Senator Rebecca White, Wisconsin Representative Angelito Tenorio, Jenn Eckerle of the California Natural Resources Agency, and Rosalind Helfand of the California Global Biodiversity Alliance. Panelists shared firsthand experiences with biodiversity legislation and outlined their visions for the future. Through open dialogue with attendees following the panel, the session fostered mutual learning and inspiration. Participants left with new strategies to champion biodiversity in their own regions, while panelists gained insights from global peers.

The conversation underscored a key message: states are not just filling gaps — they’re driving the future of conservation policy. Panelists highlighted two core reasons why state leadership is vital for biodiversity:

1. State action is a collective effort. For example, efforts to conserve biodiversity in small states such as Vermont benefit biodiversity throughout the Northeast while serving as an inspiration for states throughout the country.
2. Biodiversity has instrumental value for constituents. For example, when Wisconsin suffered from flooding in 2024, it was often the more biodiverse areas that were more resilient and experienced the least severe effects. 

Three Ways IUCN Has Influenced State Policy

NCEL’s session not only spotlighted the leadership of individual states — it also underscored how global frameworks like the IUCN’s resolutions are actively shaping state-level action. From habitat connectivity to urban biodiversity and coastal resilience, the policies discussed by panelists reflected a growing alignment between international conservation goals and state legislation.

Here are three ways the previous WCC has informed U.S. state policy in recent years:

1. 30×30 and Habitat Connectivity: The IUCN agreed to Resolution 125, calling for the conservation of 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Since 2020, at least eight more states have set their own goals to meet or even exceed 30×30.
2. Urban Biodiversity: Resolution 67 urges governments to promote biodiversity in urban environments. Recognizing that urban environments are the primary way many Americans access nature, states across the country — such as Maryland — are now passing policies to create more green infrastructure, broaden access to nature, and protect wildlife in cities.
3. Coastal Resilience: Resolution 30 emphasizes the importance of resilience for coastal communities amid the climate and biodiversity crises. States such as California have since enacted policies to fund coastal resilience improvements, which have the co-benefit of safeguarding associated livelihoods in the “blue economy.”

Outcomes & Looking Ahead

With federal leadership stalling in the U.S. and the biodiversity crisis accelerating, states and other subnational governments are likely to become increasingly crucial in recovering biodiversity and implementing globally agreed-upon conservation goals. In addition to California, Vermont, and Wisconsin being represented on NCEL’s panel at the WCC, Massachusetts and California are set to become the first U.S. states with IUCN memberships. 

States and other subnational actors also played a key role in advancing conservation goals at the WCC. By the close of the 2025 conference, the IUCN adopted 147 motions, a four-year workplan, and a 20-year vision for strengthening biodiversity efforts globally. These included three motions proposed by subnational members related to 30×30 conservation goals (Motion 6), implementing a One Health framework (Motion 99), and increasing participation in global biodiversity efforts (Motion 122). These motions are poised to continue elevating states as leading voices for American conservation on the global stage. 

To learn more, visit NCEL’s Biodiversity Issue Page or contact NCEL’s Conservation Associate, Justin Gulino.