Introduction to Nature Positive and IUCN RHINO

Learn why reversing biodiversity loss matters and how the IUCN RHINO (Rapid High-Integrity Nature-positive Outcomes) approach helps organisations make credible, science-based, measurable Nature Positive contributions.

About the course

Biodiversity loss is accelerating threatening economies, societies and the health of the planet. Governments, companies, investors and civil society are under growing pressure to act credibly and measurably.

This self-paced course introduces Nature Positive and the IUCN RHINO (Rapid High-Integrity Nature-positive Outcomes) approach – a science-based framework that helps organisations plan, deliver and report meaningful contributions to halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
You will explore the biodiversity crisis, discover what Nature Positive means, and learn how the IUCN RHINO approach supports high-integrity action aligned with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and disclosure systems such as the TNFD LEAP framework.

Through practical examples and exercises, you’ll see how businesses can use the IUCN RHINO approach to identify risks and opportunities, prioritise where to act, measure outcomes with tools like Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) and Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), and report results with confidence.

Designed for business professionals in sustainability, disclosure, risk, reporting, nature and biodiversity, but also valuable to governments, civil society, finance actors and the wider public seeking to understand and support a Nature Positive future.

Who should take this course?

• Business professionals responsible for sustainability, risk, disclosure, reporting or biodiversity management.

• Government and civil society actors, including IUCN Members, finance sector professionals and anyone seeking to understand how to begin Nature Positive action.

• Wider public.

• No prior knowledge is required.

What are the benefits of taking this course?

• Understand why biodiversity loss is a critical issue for society and business
• Learn what the Nature Positive global goal means and how it links to the KMGBF and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Discover how the IUCN RHINO approach offers a credible, science-based entry point for measurable and verifiable action
• Explore how STAR and IBAT can guide evidence-based decisions and reporting
• Recognise the different roles of business, government and civil society in reversing nature loss

What will you learn?

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain the biodiversity crisis and the global need for Nature Positive contributions
• Define Nature Positive and explain its importance for contributing to global biodiversity goals
• Describe the IUCN RHINO approach and how it enables high-integrity, rapid contributions to the KMGBF and the SDGs
• Introduce the STAR metric and its use in supporting measurable biodiversity outcomes
• Recognise the core principles of the RHINO approach, including its scientific basis, alignment with TNFD LEAP, social equity, the mitigation hierarchy and system-scale integrity
• Identify opportunities to deliver Nature Positive actions and explore how the RHINO framework can support prioritisation and planning
• Outline how business, civil society and government can collaborate to deliver Nature Positive outcomes through the IUCN RHINO approach
• Share examples of good practices in implementing the IUCN RHINO approach

Modules

• Module 1: The biodiversity crisis and why it matters
• Module 2: Nature Positive – a new way to act for nature
• Module 3: The IUCN RHINO approach – turning ambition into action
• Module 4: Working with RHINO – the six steps to measurable impact
• Module 5: Putting RHINO into practice

For successful completion, participants must:

• Finalise all modules and activities
• Complete the knowledge checks
• Succeed at the final assessment (80%)

Acknowledgements

Course developed in collaboration with:
IUCN Business and Nature team

Financial support from:
COLOURS

Technical support from:
IUCN Science Team

Partners of the project: