Target 3 “beyond 30x30”

Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to protect 30% of the Earth's lands and waters by 2030. With only six years left to meet the target, the focus is on evaluating current progress, addressing challenges, and preparing for upcoming discussions at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

What is Target 3 “beyond 30x30”?

• Target 3 is a global commitment under the Kunming-Montreal GBF, aiming to protect 30% of the Earth's terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments by 2030.
• Components: Beyond the 30% coverage, Target 3 includes ensuring that protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are:
  • Geographically Well-Connected: Ensuring ecological networks and connectivity.
  • Representative of Biodiversity: Covering all types of ecosystems and species.
  • Effectively Managed: Ensuring proper governance and management.
  • Equitably Governed: Respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Inclusion of Indigenous Territories: Recognizing Indigenous and traditional territories as part of the target and ensuring actions are taken with respect for Indigenous rights.
• In total, 118 countries have joined a High Ambition Coalitionto deliver on 30×30’s ambitious targets.

What is the Current Status?

• As of August 2024, 17.5% of terrestrial and inland waters and 8.5% of marine areas are protected or conserved. This shows an improvement from the earlier figures of 16% and 8% respectively.
• India’s progress:India has designated 22% of its terrestrial area and 5% of its marine and coastal areas as protected.Protected areas are those that are designated and managed in order to achieve conservation goals
• Types of Protected Areas:
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • Conservation Reserves
  • Community Reserves (under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972)
  • Reserve Forests, Protected Forests, and Village Forests (under the Indian Forest Act, 1927)
  • Lakes and Water Bodies (under the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017)
  • Biodiversity Heritage Sites (under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 

Issues

• Coverage vs. Effectiveness: Protecting 30% of the Earth's surface is not sufficient on its own. There is a need to ensure that these areas are effectively managed, equitable, and truly representative of global biodiversity.
• Indigenous Rights and Inclusion: There is a gap in data regarding protected and conserved areas managed by Indigenous Peoples, which skews the overall picture. Ensuring equitable governance and recognizing Indigenous contributions is critical.
• Global Reporting and Standards: Currently, there is no standardized global system for assessing the effectiveness of protected areas. UNEP-WCMC and partners are working to address this gap, but significant challenges remain.