The dramatic decline in biodiversity and ecosystem health and the urgent need for bold action was highlighted in IPBES’ 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Since then, calls to substantially increase the protection of nature have been growing, including the recognition of the biodiversity crisis as both an ecological and social challenge.
Overall, any new target to protect nature and biodiversity will not be enough in and of itself. The outcome of the CBD Conference of Parties 15 (COP15) should ensure that a nature protection target of at least 30% is delivered in a way that shifts power from extractive industries to IPLCs, decolonises our relationship with Nature and systemically protects biodiversity.
This brief explains the urgency of delivering at least 30×30 as well as our recommendations and guidance for the the Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 3.