World off track to meeting key nature goal, activists say

Nations are failing to meet a global pledge to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030, according to a new study released Wednesday. This assessment follows a similar one by the United Nations and precedes a global summit in Armenia where nations will review their progress on biodiversity targets. The 30x30 goal, central to a landmark agreement reached in 2022, was informally dubbed the Paris Agreement for nature.

However, the report by environmental groups Campaign for Nature and Together for the Ocean reveals that rhetoric has not been translated into action. Campaign for Nature director Brian O Donnell stated that while rapid progress is possible, the world is not yet on track to achieve 30% coverage. If governments fulfilled their commitments, protected areas could cover 27% of land and inland waters by 2030, but ocean coverage might only reach 12% at the end of the decade.

O Donnell noted that money for conservation is a significant obstacle, estimating that between US$100 billion and US$180 billion is needed annually to reach the 2030 target—while annual spending is currently around US$24 billion. The funding gap is particularly acute for the ocean, requiring an estimated US$16 billion per year, but currently only US$1.8 billion is spent.

Much of this funding would be required in developing countries, which possess many of the world's richest ecosystems but lack the resources to protect them. O Donnell suggested that governments must increase their budgets or legislate to require contributions from polluting industries, such as fossil fuel and mining companies, toward conservation efforts.

The biodiversity pact committed nations to halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, including meeting the 30x30 target, cutting pollution, and restoring ecosystems. The UN biodiversity summit in Yerevan, starting October 19, will be the first time nations will assess the progress shortfall and discuss ways to get the targets back on track.