The IUCN’s “30 by 30” Initiative: Protecting 30% of the Planet by 2030

In recent years, the global environmental community has rallied behind one of the most ambitious conservation targets in history: the “30 by 30” initiative. This international initiative is part of the Global Biodiversity Framework, led by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and supported by a wide range of governments (including that of Canada and >100 other countries), organizations, and scientists. It aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and marine areas by 2030. The initiative is seen as a critical step in addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, and it is poised to reshape how we think about nature conservation on a global scale.

Why 30 Percent?

The urgency behind the "30 by 30" goal stems from the growing recognition that Earth’s ecosystems are under severe threat. Species are going extinct at unprecedented rates, with estimates suggesting that we are losing species 1,000 times faster than the natural background rate of extinction. This alarming trend has grave implications, not just for biodiversity, but for the ecosystem services that all life on Earth depends on—services like clean air, fresh water, pollination, and climate regulation.

Scientific research suggests that protecting at least 30 percent of the planet’s most vital ecosystems is necessary to slow down this biodiversity loss. According to conservation experts, this level of protection is the minimum needed to maintain the health and resilience of natural systems. Currently, only around 15% of land and 8% of oceans are under some form of protection. Doubling those numbers in just a decade is a massive challenge, but one that is essential if we are to prevent further degradation of ecosystems and preserve the biodiversity that sustains life.

The Role of Protected Areas

Protected areas—national parks, nature reserves, marine protected zones, and indigenous-managed lands—are at the heart of the "30 by 30" initiative. These areas serve as sanctuaries for wildlife, offering safe havens where ecosystems can function without the pressures of human activities like deforestation, overfishing, or industrial pollution. In addition to providing refuge for species, protected areas play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. For instance, forests and wetlands act as major carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping to regulate the climate.

The IUCN’s “30 by 30” initiative encourages the expansion of these protected areas, with a particular focus on biodiversity hotspots—regions that are home to a high concentration of unique and endangered species. However, it’s not just about increasing the number of protected areas. The initiative also emphasizes the quality of protection. Simply designating an area as “protected” is not enough if that protection is not enforced or if the area is poorly managed. Effective governance, funding, and community involvement are all critical to ensuring that these areas fulfill their conservation potential.

Working with Indigenous and Local Communities

A key element of the "30 by 30" initiative is its emphasis on indigenous and local communities. Many of the planet’s most biodiverse regions overlap with lands traditionally managed by indigenous peoples. These communities often have deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land and have been stewards of these ecosystems for generations. Their traditional knowledge and practices have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation, often in ways that modern conservation strategies are only beginning to understand.

The initiative encourages collaboration with indigenous and local communities to ensure that conservation efforts are not only effective but also equitable. This means recognizing indigenous land rights and involving these communities in decision-making processes regarding land use and management. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation science, the "30 by 30" initiative seeks to create a more inclusive and sustainable approach to protecting nature.

Climate Change and "30 by 30"

Beyond biodiversity, the "30 by 30" initiative is also crucial for combating climate change. Natural ecosystems play a key role in regulating the climate by absorbing and storing carbon. Forests, peatlands, and oceans, for instance, act as carbon sinks, drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and helping to offset human-caused emissions. Protecting these ecosystems not only helps to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere but also enhances the planet’s resilience to climate change impacts.

However, if these ecosystems are degraded or destroyed—through deforestation, land conversion, or marine pollution—they can become sources of carbon emissions, exacerbating global warming. This is why the protection of carbon-rich ecosystems, such as tropical rainforests and peatlands, is a priority under the "30 by 30" initiative. By preventing the destruction of these ecosystems, we can avoid the release of stored carbon and continue to benefit from their climate-regulating services.

Challenges

While the "30 by 30" initiative is an essential step forward, achieving its goals will not be easy. Expanding protected areas on the scale required will face numerous challenges, from political resistance and economic pressures to issues of land use and community rights. In many regions, land that could be designated for protection is already being used for agriculture, mining, or development, creating conflicts between conservation goals and economic interests.

Funding is another major hurdle. Protecting and managing land and marine areas requires significant financial resources. International cooperation, along with public and private funding, will be critical to overcoming these financial challenges.

The Bigger Picture: 50 by 2050

The "30 by 30" initiative is seen as a milestone toward an even more ambitious goal: protecting 50 percent of the planet by 2050. Scientists argue that half of Earth’s ecosystems must remain intact to maintain global biodiversity and ecosystem services. While "30 by 30" is a crucial starting point, it is just the beginning of a larger vision for planetary health.

The Path Ahead

Protecting 30 percent of the planet’s land and marine environments by 2030 is an urgent call to action, requiring bold commitments from governments, businesses, and individuals alike. It’s not just about saving species—it’s about ensuring a livable future for all life on Earth. If successful, the "30 by 30" initiative will not only help safeguard biodiversity but will also play a vital role in mitigating climate change, preserving essential ecosystem services, and promoting a more sustainable relationship between humans and nature.

The future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. At the MNCP, we're proud to be doing our part by actively protecting land and preserving vital ecosystems, contributing to the global effort of the "30 by 30" initiative to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet.

Further :

• The Convention on Biological Diversity

• Dinerstein, Eric, et al. "A global deal for nature: guiding principles, milestones, and targets." Science advances 5.4 (2019): eaaw2869.