PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE Strategic Nature Positive Action: Leveraging IBAT and the IUCN RHINO Approach

Organisations are increasingly expected to show how they contribute to halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, in line with the Global Goal for Nature and the transition towards a Nature Positive economy, not only through commitments, but through credible, measurable action.

• Where are our most significant nature risks and impacts?
• What action should we prioritise?
• How do we turn biodiversity data into concrete decisions?
• How do we report this credibly and align with global frameworks?

The IUCN RHINO (Rapid High-Integrity Nature-positive Outcomes) approach, developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides an implementation-ready, science-based pathway to address these challenges.

The IUCN RHINO connects local action to global accountability, guiding organisations on what to do, where to act, and how to measure progress towards Nature Positive. It supports the design of evidence-based action plans that contribute to reducing key threats to biodiversity, while supporting alignment with global goals and reporting frameworks.

This Professional Certificate provides an in-depth, applied learning experience that enables participants to:

• Work through IUCN RHINO, aligned with the TNFD LEAP approach (locate, evaluate, assess, prepare)
  
• Use the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) to identify biodiversity risk and opportunities
  
• Interpret STAR (Species Threat Abatement and Restoration) metric and STAR_T scores to quantify extinction-risk reduction potential and frame priority actions
  
• Apply these outputs in realistic organisational contexts through guided exercises, case-based learning and a carefully designed individual project.

The programme combines self-paced learning with expert-guided sessions, real-world case studies, and both group and individual assignments, ensuring that participants gain practical, transferable workflows that support real-world decision-making.

• Sustainability, biodiversity, ESG and risk professionals, including advisors and consultants responsible for strategy, metrics, monitoring or nature-related action
• Corporate strategists and reporting/disclosure teams preparing for TNFD-aligned and CSRD/GRI disclosure
• Government officials and regulators working on nature-related policies, risk management frameworks or national biodiversity planning
• Conservation practitioners supporting private-sector engagement or advising companies on biodiversity management
• Investors and financial institutions assessing nature-related risks and opportunities across portfolios
• IUCN Members and partners working at the interface of conservation and business decision-making

This course is suitable both for practitioners beginning structured Nature Positive planning and for those seeking to deepen their technical capacity with IBAT, STAR and the IUCN RHINO approach.

• A structured method for Nature Positive action using the IUCN RHINO approach, from locating organisations’ interface with biodiversity to assessing and preparing high-integrity interventions. The final IUCN RHINO steps (implement and report) are introduced to show how analytical insights support organisational action and disclosure.
  
• Hands-on experience with IBAT, STAR and TNFD-aligned processes, enabling you to screen sites, explore proximity to threatened species and Key Biodiversity Areas, interpret STAR/STAR_T outputs, establish baselines, set targets and prepare assessments aligned with TNFD LEAP.
  
• The ability to design and communicate credible organisational interventions, translating IUCN RHINO findings into practical strategies aligned with the KMGBF, SDGs and emerging disclosure frameworks such as CSRD and GRI.
  
• Confidence in applying the IUCN RHINO workflow, built through curated case studies, structured exercises and a carefully designed individual project that provides transferable, organisation-ready practice.
  
• Exposure to expert perspectives from IUCN and external speakers, illustrating how IUCN RHINO, IBAT and STAR support high-integrity decision-making across sectors and geographies. 

First edition 50% inaugural discount

As this is the inaugural edition of the Professional Certificate, seats are offered at a 50% introductory discount on the standard fees listed below. Where multiple discounts are applicable, the higher discount will be applied to the standard course fee. 

• IUCN Members organisations: up to 75% discount depending on category of membership as detailed here.
• Non-Profit Organisations:  2’400 CHF 
• For-Profit Organisations:   3’200 CHF
• A number of partial scholarships are available for nationals from developing countries and LDCs, contact academy@iucn.org for more information.
• IUCN Staff: apply via this link. 
• COLOURS Programme Constituents: apply via this link. 

Admission requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification)
• Proficiency in English
• Minimum three years of professional experience

Course trainers