IUCNstyle

IUCNstyle is the name given to the set of editorial and formatting guidelines used by the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) to standardize its publications and communications. The style guides the presentation of text, figures, tables, and references across a wide range of outputs, including annual reports, policy briefs, technical assessments, the IUCN Red List, and online content. It covers typography, branding, terminology, abbreviation rules, units of measurement, nomenclature for species and places, and the formatting of citations and references. By defining a consistent voice and look, IUCNstyle aims to improve readability, facilitate comparison across documents, and reinforce the organization’s identity.

The guidelines are typically implemented using templates and style sheets for common publishing platforms, such as word processors and content management systems, and are supported by a public-style manual as well as staff training. They are maintained by the IUCN Publications and Communications teams and are periodically updated to reflect scientific conventions, policy needs, and feedback from the IUCN network. Adoption is encouraged across the IUCN’s global offices, partners, and commissions, with local adaptations limited to language localization and jurisdictional requirements.

IUCNstyle complements other IUCN standards, such as the organization’s terminology database and data-reporting conventions, and it interacts with the IUCN Red List categories and criteria documentation. See also IUCN Red List, IUCN Publications, and IUCN editorial standards.