An update to the global Critical Habitat screening layer
2025-11-18
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) defines Critical Habitat in Performance Standard 6 (PS6) as high biodiversity value areas requiring net biodiversity gain for projects. We present an updated global screening layer of Critical Habitat aligned with IFC’s 2019 guidance. This layer derives from global datasets covering 54 biodiversity features, categorized as ‘Likely’ or ‘Potential’ Critical Habitat based on alignment with IFC criteria and data suitability. Analysis indicates 53.95 million km 2 (10.58%) and 13.71 million km 2 (2.69%) of the globe can be considered Likely and Potential Critical Habitat respectively, with the remaining 86.73% not overlapping with assessed biodiversity features. This represents a significant increase over previous efforts but likely remains a significant underestimation of actual Critical Habitat. Likely Critical Habitat was dominated by Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Intact Forest Landscapes, and protected areas; Potential Critical Habitat by Important Marine Mammal Areas and ranges of IUCN Vulnerable species.