Full Breakdown
IUCN and APRIL Launch Five-Year Collaboration to Enhance Conservation Science
10/11/2025, 11:41:42 AM
Overview of the Collaboration
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and APRIL Group, part of the RGE group of companies, have initiated a five-year strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening conservation science and implementing evidence-based solutions to improve biodiversity outcomes in Indonesia and globally. This partnership combines IUCN’s scientific expertise with APRIL’s operational capabilities to enhance conservation efforts.
Key Focus Areas
A primary objective of this collaboration is the expansion of IUCN’s Red List of Ecosystems (RLE), a crucial indicator of ecosystem health under the Global Biodiversity Framework. This initiative will contribute to a Global RLE Peatlands Assessment, which aims to provide robust evidence for the conservation of peatlands, a vital global carbon sink. Additionally, the partnership will pilot the IUCN RHINO approach for Rapid, High-Integrity Nature-positive Outcomes within APRIL’s operations, particularly in the 150,693-hectare Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) forest conservation and restoration program located on Sumatra’s Kampar Peninsula.
Strategic Guidance and Capacity Building
The collaboration will also evaluate and offer strategic guidance to enhance APRIL’s biodiversity conservation and restoration programs. It aims to generate practical lessons for the broader forestry and land-use sector on measuring, improving, and sharing progress on biodiversity outcomes. This effort is expected to strengthen APRIL’s science-based approach to landscape management and accelerate the delivery of its APRIL2030 commitments.
Engagement with Local Stakeholders
IUCN plans to deepen its engagement with various stakeholders in Indonesia, integrating the perspectives of local communities and experts. This engagement is intended to catalyze on-the-ground action at scale, supporting national efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity.
Official Statements
Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, emphasized the urgency of reversing biodiversity loss, stating, “The world is running out of time to reverse biodiversity loss, and science must guide every step we take.” She highlighted that the collaboration allows for scaling up the Red List of Ecosystems and testing new approaches in real-world scenarios.
Anderson Tanoto, Managing Director at RGE and member of the Executive Committee at APRIL, remarked, “For us, conservation is about taking practical action. Businesses today are expected to move beyond pledges and deliver results that are credible, practical and measurable on the ground.” He noted that the partnership enhances conservation and restoration programs while engaging a wider network of experts and stakeholders.
Conclusion
The IUCN-APRIL collaboration represents a significant step toward aligning private sector engagement with international conservation priorities, supporting the delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework. By fostering resilience in ecosystems and strengthening community engagement, this partnership aims to achieve meaningful biodiversity outcomes in Indonesia and beyond.
