Scientists from around the world arrive in Doncaster to discuss climate conservation

Experts from the Climate Change Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation and Nature) are expected to agree on the plan for the next stages of a significant new climate change initiative at a conference being held in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park this week.

Their aim is to promote a deeper understanding of climate change, its impacts, and the responses required to protect biodiversity.

Bruce Young, The Deputy chair of the IUCN and chief zoologist for Nature Serve lives his day to day life as a scientist in Costa Rica - but has spent the last few days in Doncaster with 10 other scientists from across the world.

He said: “Climate change is the defining theme of my generation - it’s the major threat to biodiversity.

“Climate change affects species everywhere - we have to do a lot more to help the persistence of biodiversity.”

The IUCN released its ‘Guidelines for Assessing Species Vulnerability to Climate Change’ for global use by conservation professionals two years ago.

The guidelines were developed by the Specialist Group, which is a volunteer network of nearly 60 scientists from across the globe.

ENVIRONMENT: Doncaster is one of the most biodiverse places in the UK.

Bruce said: “These guidelines help scientists and wildlife managers learn how climate change may be affecting particular species of interest to them.”

The guidelines have recently also been translated into Spanish so that these guidelines can be rolled out across South America, which is home to the Amazon Rainforest.

Climate Change Specialist Group member Nicolette Roach, said: “The release of the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) in Spanish is a great step toward increasing inclusivity in conservation science.

“This Spanish version will hopefully help promote CCVA’s across Spanish-speaking countries, which maintain immense amounts of biodiversity.”

During the conference, the IUCN discussed how they’re looking into how climate change will affect species' extinction in the future and how to combat this with management techniques.