The 30x30 Target of the Biodiversity Plan, earlier known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), is ambitious as it mandates that at least 30 per cent of land and sea be protected by 2030. The world currently has protected only 17.29 per cent of land and 8.17 per cent of marine areas. As 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) looms closer, Vibha Varshney talks to Rita Maria El Zaghloul, director of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for N&P), about the progress since COP15 held in 2022. HAC for N&P had floated the idea about 30x30 way back in September 2019 at the United Nations General Assembly.
Vibha Varshney: Since the adoption of the Biodiversity Plan in 2022, what has been the progress towards the 30x30 target? What could obstruct this progress?
Rita Maria El Zaghloul: It's been around 18 months since we gathered in Montreal to agree on the landmark K-M GBF, now known as the Biodiversity Plan. As a result of the pandemic, that agreement came later than we’d hoped and shortened our window for meeting the ambitious but critical goals agreed to, such as the agreement to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and ocean by 2030. In terms of progress since this moment, immediately following the agreement we established the HAC for N&P as a permanent body, hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Resources Institute, and we are committed to ensuring the full implementation of ‘30x30’ on time. Now counting 119 members, that’s over two-thirds of the world's governments, I think this is very encouraging and puts us on the right path.
On a country level there have also been some significant steps forward. In the case of marine areas, Samoa completed its marine spatial planning this year and this includes a roadmap to get to 30 per cent marine protection domestically. The Maldives has identified three biosphere reserves and parks and are working on new management plans for these too. The Dominican Republic recently announced that it has reached 30 per cent of ocean protection domestically. France too has created a technical working group gathering all Directors and Managers of Protected Areas to identify their expertise related to 30x30 and share it with HAC for N&P members.
Photo: Rita Maria El Zaghloul / LinkedIn
These are all examples of encouraging and important progress. But we have just six years to meet the goal, so we need to urgently ramp up efforts and see progress across the board.
Another key element of success will be cooperation. This is at the heart of what the HAC for N&P does. We recognise that both technical and financial assistance, as well as knowledge sharing between countries, is critical. For that reason, we developed our unique Matchmaking Tools. HAC for N&P country members are invited to log in to the HAC 30×30 Matchmaking Platform, where they can submit one or several technical and financial assistance requests to implement 30×30. In addition to being able to submit a request, countries – like other non-state organisations – can upload available technical expertise and financial support related to 30×30. Each request is carefully considered by our team and matched with a relevant partner to help deliver the country’s goal. We’ve already had four request submissions and feel confident this will help encourage progress on 30x30.
VV: How will community-owned land contribute towards Target 3?
RMZ: The role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in successfully delivering Target 3 cannot be overstated. There are approximately 476 million Indigenous Peoples worldwide, in over 90 countries. Although they make up only six per cent of the global population, IPLCs conserve over 80 per cent of biodiversity worldwide. The identities, cultures, spirituality, and ways of life of IPLCs are inextricably linked to biodiversity and its protection.
We were very pleased that the final Target 3 language included explicit reference to their role: ‘recognising and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, including over their traditional territories’, and we’re proud to count the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) as an official partner of the HAC for N&P. Moreover, the HAC for N&P has a dedicated task force on IPLCs with the IIFB, where there is constant communication and updates on both the implementation of Target 3 in the different countries but also coordination for the negotiations. We believe that when local communities are involved, the outcomes for conservation projects are always higher. An example of this is the work of Indigenous Canadians to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA). IPCAs are a progressive conservation model guided by indigenous law and partnerships, and IPCAs contribute significantly to Canada’s goal to protect 30 per cent of its land by 2030.
VV: Is sufficient funding available for this goal? Please elaborate on the possible sources.
RMZ: At present, the short answer is no. The biodiversity finance gap is estimated at $700 billion, a figure that the K-M GBF agreed to close by reducing subsidies harmful to nature by $500 billion per year and by increasing financial resources from all sources to $200 billion per year, including ensuring that international financing from developed to developing countries increases to at least $20 billion per year by 2025 and at least $30 billion per year by 2030. Meeting this target will be pivotal to delivering 30x30 and many other targets agreed to at COP16.
Of course, it is also clear that significantly increased funding from the private sector will be necessary to close the overall biodiversity funding gap too. But we need both; we cannot rely on the private and philanthropic sectors alone.
VV: What safeguards have been put in place to ensure that area-based conservation does not hamper commitments to meet the three basic tenets of the Convention on Biological Diversity: conservation, sustainable use and sharing of benefits?
RMZ: To ensure that area-based conservation efforts align with the three basic tenets of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) — conservation, sustainable use, and the sharing of benefits — several safeguards and strategies need to be prioritised as we work towards achieving Target 3. For example, in the case of the Integrated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPS) and management plans, countries should strive to create plans that consider ecological, social, and economic factors to ensure that conservation efforts are sustainable and beneficial to local communities. It is also important that area-based conservation measures meaningfully involve local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process. Their traditional knowledge and perspectives are often integrated into conservation strategies to ensure that they benefit from conservation initiatives and have a say in how resources are managed. In terms of benefit-sharing agreements, as much as possible, plans for new and improved conservation areas should establish agreements that outline how benefits from conservation efforts will be shared among stakeholders, including local communities and Indigenous Peoples. This may involve revenue-sharing mechanisms, employment opportunities, access to resources, or other forms of compensation.
Finally, we need to recognise that conservation is an ongoing process that requires adaptive management strategies. Flexibility in approach allows for adjustments to be made based on changing circumstances, new information, and feedback from stakeholders. These elements will require both significant political will and adequate financial resources to ensure that area-based conservation measures are done right. The HAC for N&P aims to make it easier for governments to adhere to these principles through matchmaking tools but also our global advocacy - raising awareness around best practices and the urgent need to meet the 30x30 goal and meet in the most just, equitable and sustainable way possible.