The Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ was developed by IUCN and the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM). This Professional Certificate trains individuals from all sectors who want to gain expertise in the field.
About this course
The concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) has already gained momentum around the world, and NbS are increasingly accepted and implemented to address societal challenges. IUCN estimates that they can provide over a third of the world’s climate mitigation needs while benefiting people and nature.
This Professional Certificate equips participants to apply the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions to assess the quality, credibility, and performance of NbS in real-world contexts. Through individual and group assignments, participants learn to analyse societal and environmental challenges, identify strengths and gaps in evidence, and generate practical lessons to improve NbS practice.
The Second Edition of the Standard reflects lessons learned since 2020 and responds to growing global demand for credible, high-impact NbS. Updates include enhanced clarity and usability, stronger equity and rights-based safeguards, improved framing of financial feasibility and long-term viability, and greater emphasis on enabling conditions such as policy, finance and regulation to scale NbS confidently and sustainably.
What will you be able to do after completing this course?
- Apply the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions to assess NbS projects in real-world contexts
- Evaluate how NbS address societal and environmental challenges using a structured, criteria-based approach
- Identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in evidence when assessing NbS against the Global Standard
- Select and use appropriate means of verification, tools, and resources to support credible assessments
- Analyse opportunities, limitations, and trade-offs in NbS application and identify options for improvement
- Generate and share practical lessons learned from NbS assessments to inform professional practice
Why is this certificate relevant to your professional practice?
- Strengthen the credibility and integrity of assessment, design, and implementation using the IUCN Global Standard
- Support evidence-informed decision-making and assurance for NbS initiatives Improve your ability to evaluate intervention quality, performance, and accountability using the IUCN Global Standard
- Enhance your contribution to addressing societal challenges through informed use of the IUCN Global Standard
- Connect with a professional community of practice focused on learning and collaboration around the IUCN Global Standard
Course details
📅 Course dates: 1 September – 6 October 2026 (detailed schedule)
⏰ Live session timing: Track 1: 9.00 to 11:00 CET and Track 2: 15.00 to 17.00 CET
⏳Duration: 5 weeks
🕒 Weekly estimated effort: 5 – 7 hours, including live sessions
📖 Course type: Hybrid – self-paced e-learning + expert live sessions.
📚 Includes: Modules, individual & group assignments
🗣️ Language: English
🏅 Award: Professional Certificate upon successful course completion
Fees
- IUCN Commission members: 33% discount on the non-profit rate.
- Young Commission members (under 35): 50% discount on the non-profit rate.
- IUCN Members organisations: up to 75% discount depending on category of membership as detailed here
- Non-Profit Organisations: 2’950 CHF
- For-Profit Organisations: 3’950 CHF
- A number of partial scholarships are available for nationals from developing countries and LDCs. Contact academy@iucn.org for more information.
- IUCN Staff: sign up via this link.
Candidates for admission must satisfy the following conditions:
- Bachelor’s degree, or a degree/diploma deemed to be equivalent
- Proficiency in English
- At least three (3) years of work experience
For a successful completion, participants must:
- ✅ Attend live sessions.
- ✅ Complete the individual and group assignments.
Course trainers
Global Head, Nature-based Solutions (IUCN)
Climate change and Biodiversity Specialist (Agence Française de Développement);
Project Officer for Nature-based Solutions (IUCN French Commitee);
Testimonials from course alumni
Suzan Al Kaki
Project Manager,
Tilad Environmental Consultants
David Stanton
Executive Director, Ecology and Biodiversity – Hong Kong
Aurecon
Donna McGinnis
President & CEO,
Naples Botanical Garden
The Professional Certificate
Candidates who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the IUCN Professional Certificate on the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™. Through this Professional Certificate, IUCN recognises your capacity to identify NbS according to the IUCN Global Standard and to use the self-assessment tool. It is a non-academic credential, which does not entitle its awardee(s) to certify Nature-based Solutions on behalf of IUCN.
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Course Includes
- 14 Lessons