IUCN has developed this standardized methodology for Conservation Outlook Assessments of natural World Heritage sites.

The IUCN World Heritage Outlook is the first global assessment process for all natural and mixed World Heritage sites, and composed of a interactive website and a three-yearly global report. The IUCN World Heritage Outlook provides Conservation Outlook Assessments for all natural World Heritage sites. These assessments indicate whether a natural World Heritage site is likely to conserve its values over time, based on a desk-based assessment of 1) the current state and trend of values, 2) the threats affecting those values, and 3) the effectiveness of protection and management. Conservation Outlook Assessments also compile additional information on benefits and possible projects related to a site. For further information on IUCN's World Heritage Outlook Assessments please refer to:

IUCN (2012). IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessments – Guidelines for their application to natural World Heritage sites. Version 1.3. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Osipova, E. et al. (2014). IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2014: A conservation assessment of all natural World Heritage sites. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Osipova, E. et al. (2017). IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2: A conservation assessment of all natural World Heritage sites. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Osipova, E. et al. (2020). IUCN World Heritage Outlook 3: A conservation assessment of all natural World Heritage sites. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.