The 4th edition of the IUCN World Heritage Outlook was launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
This report is a global assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature evaluating the conservation status of all natural and mixed UNESCO World Heritage Sites every 3 to 5 years.
Over 80 % of natural heritage sites face direct climate risks such as coral bleaching, glacial melt, and wildfires.
Approximately 10 % of global terrestrial carbon is stored in natural World Heritage Sites, supporting climate regulation.
15 sites were newly added to the "World Heritage in Danger" list, largely due to conflict, pollution, and ecosystem fragility.
India has 7 natural and mixed World Heritage Sites, covering over 1.5 % of the global natural heritage area.
The Sundarbans face mangrove decline due to rising salinity, cyclones, and sea-level rise, affecting biodiversity and protection services.
The Western Ghats are under pressure from mining, construction, and land-use changes, threatening ecological balance.
The Nanda Devi and the Great Himalayan National Park are experiencing glacial retreat and invasive species issues.