Home / Environment / Corals and Amphibians Face Alarming Decline, IUCN Warns
Corals and Amphibians Face Alarming Decline, IUCN Warns
9 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Over 40% of corals and amphibians threatened with extinction
- IUCN's "red list" of endangered species to be updated
- Synthetic biology debate a key focus at IUCN congress
As the world's top conservation body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is set to unveil its updated "red list" of threatened species on October 13th, 2025. The news comes as the IUCN holds its world congress in Abu Dhabi, where delegates will discuss the dire state of global biodiversity.
According to the IUCN's latest findings, more than 40% of corals and amphibians are now classified as threatened, highlighting the severe impact of habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution on these vulnerable species. The IUCN's decisions help shape the global environmental protection agenda, and the upcoming congress is expected to reflect the "urgency and ambition" required to address this crisis.
One of the key debates at the IUCN congress will revolve around the use of synthetic biology in conservation efforts. While some argue that this controversial technology could complement existing practices, others believe it is incompatible with the principles of nature conservation. The outcome of this vote could have far-reaching implications for the future of biodiversity protection.
