Encroaching energy, mine concessions threaten protected ecosystems, research shows

A recent study by Earth Insight, led by US environment group, has revealed that millions of hectares of protected tropical ecosystems are at risk due to overlapping mining concessions and oil and gas blocks. The research, which was released ahead of a UN biodiversity meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, indicates that current pledges to protect 30% of the world's land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030 would only reach 23% if many of the affected areas remain vulnerable to industrial development.

The study found that oil and gas blocks encroach on 61 million hectares of protected areas, while mining concessions overlap with 42.7 million hectares. These concessions, many of which have not yet been licensed, present an opportunity for countries to remove them and protect the ecosystems. The findings are expected to be conservative and do not account for all pressures on ecosystems.

As countries seek to improve energy security, more concessions may be activated, with Bangladesh already inviting companies to bid for oil blocks in biodiversity-rich waters.

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