Fifty Countries Unite to Protect 30% of Earth by 2030

Global coalition vows to safeguard 30% of land and seas by 2030 for biodiversity, climate, and future generations.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Global coalition vows to safeguard 30% of land and seas by 2030 for biodiversity, climate, and future generations.

In a historic move, a coalition of 50 nations from around the world has pledged to protect at least 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030. This ambitious goal, known as the ‘30 by 30’ target, is designed to halt biodiversity loss, safeguard critical habitats, and strengthen global efforts to fight climate change. The commitment, unveiled in the lead up to major international environmental summits, underscores an accelerating trend in global conservation and multilateral cooperation.

What Is the ‘30 by 30’ Target?

The ‘30 by 30’ objective emerged from the growing scientific consensus that a minimum of 30% of terrestrial and marine environments must be protected to stem biodiversity collapse, avert mass extinctions, and sustain essential ecosystem services such as clean air, water, and climate stability.

Biodiversity cannot thrive on fragmented reserves alone; large, interconnected networks of protected areas are needed for wildlife to adapt to environmental changes.
The goal is included as a central pillar in negotiations for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The commitment also aligns with climate mitigation strategies, as protected lands and seas absorb and store massive quantities of carbon.

Scientific research calls for at least 30% protection by 2030 with escalating targets beyond this decade, in recognition of the ongoing pressures on natural systems and the need for a resilient, climate-safe future.

The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People

Fifty countries have joined forces under the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, an intergovernmental group led by Costa Rica, France, and the United Kingdom, representing a cross-section of continents, cultures, and economies.

Members include small island developing states, African nations, European countries, and emerging economies from Latin America and Asia.
The HAC emphasizes three priorities:
- Protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030
- Promoting sustainable use of the remaining 70%
- Mobilizing financial resources for conservation, especially for lower-income countries
This coalition’s announcement pressures other world leaders to adopt similar ambitious targets in ongoing global negotiations.

Why 30%? The Science Behind the Target

A growing body of scientific literature supports 30% as a critical threshold for mitigating threats to biodiversity and climate. Leading researchers warn that:

More than one million species face extinction in coming decades if habitat loss and degradation continue unchecked.
Current protected areas cover roughly 17% of lands and 8% of oceans, insufficient to reverse biodiversity loss.
Connected, well-managed, and equitable protected areas offer the best chance for wildlife and ecosystems to survive and adapt.

Protecting 30% acts as both a buffer against ecosystem collapse and a foundation for nature’s recovery, providing space for species migrations, genetic flow, and ecosystem resilience.

Who Are the Leaders and Partners?

Costa Rica, with its long-standing commitment to ecological sustainability and robust protected area network, co-leads the HAC and champions the proposal as a model for peers. France and the United Kingdom have matched this ambition through policy and finance, encouraging other developed nations to follow suit.

The coalition is open to additional countries, NGOs, scientists, and Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, signaling a broad and inclusive approach to conservation governance.
Global NGOs such as The Nature Conservancy, WWF, Conservation International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society are among the international organizations backing the movement.

Ocean Protection: The Great Blue Challenge

Oceans, which cover more than 70% of the planet, have lagged behind terrestrial protections. The HAC’s commitment extends to marine areas, which face overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and acidification.

Currently, only 7-8% of the world’s oceans receive some level of protection, with fully protected marine reserves accounting for a far smaller fraction.
Key initiatives include expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), safeguarding global fisheries, and supporting international treaties to cover vast areas beyond national jurisdictions.

Ocean conservation is considered a linchpin for food security, climate regulation, and the survival of iconic species such as whales, turtles, and sharks.

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: At the Heart of Conservation

Global conservation experts stress that success depends on meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who are stewards of vast tracts of forests, wetlands, savannahs, and coastal areas.

Many Indigenous territories overlap with biodiversity hotspots and store tremendous ecological value.
The HAC pledge explicitly recognizes the critical rights and knowledge of Indigenous and local communities, promising to elevate their voices in planning, management, and benefit-sharing.

Research shows that Indigenous-managed lands often have better conservation outcomes than government-managed protected areas, reinforcing the need for equitable governance and respect for traditional land tenure.

Benefits of Expanding Protected Areas

Biodiversity protection: Habitat fragmentation is curbed, allowing species populations to recover and adapt.
Climate mitigation: Intact forests, grasslands, wetlands, and oceans sequester significant carbon, limiting global warming.
Economic resilience: Nature tourism, sustainable resource management, and ecosystem services support local and global economies.
Human well-being: Clean air and water, flood buffering, and pollination services all depend on healthy, functioning natural systems.

The case for 30% protection is also an economic one: reports suggest that the long-term benefits to humanity far outweigh the short-term costs of conservation, with nature’s contributions valued in the trillions of dollars annually.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite widespread support, ‘30 by 30’ faces several hurdles:

Equity and social justice: Expanding protected areas must avoid displacing or marginalizing communities, especially Indigenous Peoples.
Funding gaps: Many developing nations lack the necessary resources for management, monitoring, and enforcement.
Paper parks: Some protected areas exist only in name, without real protection or effective governance.
Competing land uses: Agriculture, mining, urbanization, and infrastructure can conflict with conservation goals.

There is also debate about how “protection” is defined—whether it refers only to strict parks or includes lands managed for sustainable use, and how to fairly measure and report progress.

Global Progress: Where Is the World Now?

Environment Type	Current Protection (2024)	2030 Target
Land and Inland Waters	17.6%	30%
Oceans and Coastal Areas	8.4%	30%

According to official progress reports, as of 2024, 51 countries have already surpassed 30% land protection, and 31 countries have done so in marine areas. However, extrapolating globally, an area equivalent to Brazil and Australia combined must still be protected on land, and a marine area larger than the Indian Ocean is needed to reach the benchmark by 2030.

Key Strategies for Achieving 30 by 30

Meeting the 30% target requires an array of policy, scientific, and community-led strategies:

Expanding and connecting protected areas: Prioritize critical habitats, migration corridors, and climate refuges.
Restoring degraded lands and seascapes: Rewilding and active restoration aid biodiversity recovery and increase ecological resilience.
Securing sustainable finance: Mobilize public, private, and multilateral funding streams, such as debt-for-nature swaps and green bonds.
Reforming policy: Integrate biodiversity in all land-use planning, fisheries management, and climate actions.
Strengthening governance: Support transparent, inclusive management involving Indigenous and local communities.
Promoting innovation: Utilize satellite monitoring, data sharing, and new conservation technologies.

Case Studies and Standout Nations

Costa Rica: Over a quarter of its territory is protected, with an economic model deriving major benefits from eco-tourism and forest conservation.
Gabon: Has created a vast network of terrestrial and marine parks, emphasizing both protection and sustainable use.
France: Marine protected areas in French overseas territories contribute significantly to global ocean conservation targets.
New Zealand: Innovates in marine reserves and collaborative conservation with the Maori people.

These countries demonstrate that ambitious conservation targets are feasible and can produce benefits for both nature and society.

Addressing Concerns: Quality Over Quantity

Conservationists warn that simply designating areas on paper is not enough. Effective protection must ensure:

Strong legal frameworks and enforcement
Genuine local participation and respect for customary rights
Long-term funding for management and scientific oversight
Connectivity between protected areas to allow for wildlife movements

The Protected Planet Report highlights the need to focus on both quality and quantity of protections to secure meaningful outcomes for nature and people.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why was 30% chosen as a global conservation target?

A: Scientific research indicates that at least 30% protection is the minimum needed to give species and ecosystems a fighting chance, preserve ecosystem services, and serve as a foundation for recovery.

Q: Who counts as a ‘protected area’? Are all reserves equal?

A: Not all protected areas are created equal. Some are strictly conserved nature reserves, others allow for managed resource use. What matters is the area’s real-world effectiveness, connectivity, and equitable management.

Q: Will reaching 30% end biodiversity loss?

A: Protecting 30% is an essential step, but not a silver bullet. Biodiversity will depend on the quality of protection, sustainable use of remaining lands, climate action, and respect for people’s rights.

Q: How are Indigenous Peoples involved?

A: The initiative aims to place Indigenous knowledge, land tenure, and leadership at the heart of conservation planning and benefit-sharing, acknowledging their vital role as custodians of biodiversity.

Q: Where does the funding come from?

A: Funding will need to flow from domestic budgets, international aid, private investments, and innovative sources like payments for ecosystem services and green bonds.

Outlook: The Next Steps for Global Conservation

With less than a decade to 2030, achieving ‘30 by 30’ requires urgent cooperation between governments, scientists, local communities, and financiers. The target’s success will be measured not by area alone, but by the health and resilience of the natural world and the well-being of people who depend on it.

As the world’s leaders prepare for future biodiversity and climate summits, the 30 by 30 pledge stands as a rallying point for a brighter, more sustainable planet—one that recognizes the intrinsic connections between people, nature, and a flourishing future for all.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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