The CSG is the official IUCN Red List Authority for the determination of global threat levels for cetacean species. It works closely with the IUCN Red List Programme to assess, evaluate, and determine the appropriate threat level category for each species, providing new and updated determinations on a constant basis.
The CSG either drafts the Red List assessments or solicits them from other experts and then provides the required formal assessment evaluation. It also provides advice to the IUCN on more general Red List matters.