The Protected Planet Report 2024, developed by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), offers a critical evaluation of global efforts to conserve biodiversity. It marks a significant step in understanding how far the world has progressed in achieving Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). This report not only emphasizes current achievements but also highlights the gaps that need to be addressed for future success in biodiversity conservation.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Target 3
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) was adopted in December 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This framework represents a global roadmap to halt and reverse the ongoing biodiversity crisis, establishing four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets to be achieved by 2030. Among these, Target 3 is one of the most ambitious, aiming to protect at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland waters, coastal, and marine areas by 2030 through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
The goal of Target 3 is to ensure the effective conservation and management of ecologically important areas, while also recognizing the rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This includes the integration of indigenous and traditional territories into the broader landscapes and seascapes while ensuring that any sustainable use aligns with conservation objectives.
Current Status of Protected Areas and Key Progress
The Protected Planet Report 2024 highlights progress made in achieving Target 3 but also reveals substantial challenges.
- As of August 2024, 17.6% of land and inland waters and 8.4% of oceans and coastal areas are protected.
- Although these numbers reflect a slight increase from previous years (less than 0.5% since 2020), they remain far from the ambitious 30% target. To meet this goal by 2030, an additional 12.4% of terrestrial areas and 21.6% of marine areas need to be designated as protected.
While there has been some progress, particularly in ocean conservation where the most significant strides have been made in national waters, the overall coverage in areas beyond national jurisdiction remains exceedingly low. These areas account for less than 11% of the total marine and coastal protected areas, indicating a vast gap in marine conservation efforts.
Challenges in Conservation Effectiveness and Governance
One of the key takeaways from the report is that designation alone is not enough to ensure effective conservation. Protected areas must be well-managed and equitably governed to genuinely contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Less than 5% of land areas and only 1.3% of marine areas have been assessed for management effectiveness.
- Moreover, only 8.5% of protected land is considered well-connected, a critical factor for maintaining ecological integrity and supporting species migration and dispersal.
- Governance is a significant challenge, with only 0.2% of terrestrial areas and 0.01% of marine areas having been evaluated for equitable management, which includes respecting Indigenous rights and ensuring local community involvement in decision-making processes.
Another pressing issue is the underrepresentation of biodiversity in current protected areas. Although over two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are partially or fully covered by protected or conserved areas, about 32% of these critical biodiversity sites remain outside formal protection. This gap in protection means that many species and ecosystems critical for the planet’s health remain vulnerable to extinction and degradation.
The Role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
The Protected Planet Report 2024 acknowledges the critical role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in global biodiversity conservation. Indigenous communities manage 13.6% of global terrestrial areas outside of formal protection systems, but they govern less than 4% of protected areas. This discrepancy underscores the need to better recognize and support the contributions of Indigenous Peoples as stewards of their lands.
The report calls for greater inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and practices in conservation efforts, emphasizing that their voices and expertise must be valued in decision-making processes. Ensuring that Indigenous territories are fully integrated into the global conservation framework is crucial for achieving Target 3.
Major Recommendations from the Report
Despite the challenges, there is still cause for optimism. The report notes that 51 countries have already exceeded the 30% target for land protection, and 31 countries have surpassed it for marine areas. This shows that the target is achievable with the right level of commitment, cooperation, and action.
The report stresses the importance of:
- Accelerating efforts to designate additional protected areas in regions where biodiversity is underrepresented, particularly in biodiversity hotspots and ecologically significant regions.
- Enhancing governance frameworks to ensure that protected areas are not only expanded but also effectively managed and equitably governed.
- Supporting Indigenous Peoples in their role as stewards of biodiversity, ensuring that their rights are upheld and their territories are integrated into global conservation strategies.
- Addressing the lack of data on the effectiveness of protected areas, particularly in terms of positive biodiversity outcomes and social equity. Insufficient data on governance and management remains a major obstacle to fully understanding the impact of conservation efforts.
Key Institutions and Their Contributions
Several international organizations play critical roles in driving biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide:
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Founded in 1948, the IUCN is a leading global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), the IUCN provides scientific, technical, and policy guidance on establishing and managing protected areas.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): UNEP is instrumental in monitoring global biodiversity progress. It operates the Protected Planet Initiative, which tracks data on protected areas and OECMs worldwide. UNEP-WCMC serves as a hub for biodiversity data, facilitating informed decision-making and policy implementation.
- India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP): India, as a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity, has committed to aligning its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) with the Kunming-Montreal framework. This involves updating its conservation goals to protect 30% of its terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine areas by 2030.
India’s Updated National Biodiversity Strategy
India’s commitment to biodiversity is reflected in its updated NBSAP, which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The plan emphasizes the importance of restoring ecosystems, such as forests and rivers, to maintain essential natural resources like clean air and water. As part of its commitment, India is focused on protecting its rich biodiversity by ensuring sustainable use and community involvement in conservation efforts.
The Way Forward
While the Protected Planet Report 2024 offers a snapshot of global progress, it also underscores the need for continued and accelerated action. Several key challenges must be addressed to ensure that the 30% target is met by 2030:
- Gaps in implementation: Although many countries have committed to expanding protected areas, there is often a lag in actual implementation due to limited resources, political will, or competing land-use priorities.
- Monitoring and adaptive management: Effective conservation requires robust systems for monitoring both ecological health and management practices. Without clear data on how protected areas are functioning, it becomes difficult to ensure that they are achieving their intended outcomes.
- Climate change adaptation: The impacts of climate change on ecosystems are undeniable. Protected areas must be adaptable and resilient to ensure they continue to serve as effective havens for biodiversity in a changing climate.
The Protected Planet Report 2024 serves as a vital reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to safeguard the planet’s biodiversity. Achieving Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will require a collective effort, rooted in scientific knowledge, inclusive governance, and a shared commitment to protecting the natural world.
As the world looks toward upcoming global meetings, such as COP16, it is imperative that countries translate their commitments into concrete actions. This means not only expanding the network of protected areas but also ensuring that these areas are effectively managed, well-connected, and equitably governed. By addressing these challenges and fostering global cooperation, the international community can help secure a future where biodiversity thrives, benefiting both nature and humanity for generations to come.