Protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030. This is the environmental objective, called “30x30”, which seems to be taking shape in the context of recent negotiations organized until Tuesday in Geneva (Switzerland).

An agreement on the protection of biodiversity will be adopted later this year.

In 2020, 17% of the land surface and 7% of marine and coastal areas were protected.

The initial target was 17% and 10%.

To reach 30%, countries rely on new “effective and equitable conservation measures” (OECM), including areas with human activities compatible with nature protection.

Include Indigenous communities

But the 30x30 target is only part of the equation to save the planet, warns an official from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The future agreement should also ensure that protected areas are managed efficiently and equitably.

A sensitive subject for indigenous peoples, who live in territories hosting 80% of the remaining biodiversity, according to a recent IPCC report.

The creation of OECM paves the way for the inclusion of lands managed and owned by indigenous peoples.

But the latter want to be sure that they will have their say.

“The notion of putting nature under glass has not been good for indigenous peoples” so far, notes Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, of the Nia Tero association and representative of indigenous peoples.

Strong competition for land

While the 30x30 lens is widely supported, adopting it will not be easy.

South Africa and China, host countries of COP15 where the biodiversity protection agreement will be adopted, are nervous about this.

India's decision to support this objective could weigh in the balance.

India has protected 22% of its territory through national parks and tiger reserves.

Increasing these protected areas would be “very difficult” due to strong competition for land.

Environmental officials have already mapped the country to find areas that could become OECMs, such as water reservoirs or vast private land.

“We have already lost too much nature”

Beyond the percentage, it is necessary to concentrate on the quality of the protected territories and to choose “effective” zones at the environmental level.

The use of satellite data could be a game-changer.

For Linda Krueger, from the NGO Nature Conservancy, new protected areas will have to pass a test.

"We need to see that biodiversity is maintained or enhanced there," she said.

Moreover, the 30x30 objective should not overshadow the efforts needed to preserve nature elsewhere, by increasing green spaces in cities or reducing pesticides in agriculture.

“We need 100%, we have already lost too much nature,” she adds.

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  • Planet

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