Protected Area targets have been set globally, regionally, and sometimes at a country level. During the last decade, the global protected area targets that all country signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) committed to were the CBD's Aichi Biodiversity Targets.  Specifically, Aichi Target 11 which stated that:

at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes by 2020.

The new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted in December 2022 at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15). CBD country signatories have committed to implementing the protected area target (Target 3) of the new GBF by the year 2030. The text of Target 3 is below:

Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities including over their traditional territories.

Regionally, the Micronesia Challenge aims to effectively conserve at least 30% of near-shore marine resources and 20% of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020. An example of a country-based target is Fiji that aims to have 30% of reefs protected by 2015 and 30% of waters managed as a marine protected area network by 2020. During the 24th Micronesia Island Forum in 2019, the Leaders recognized the success in the first 15 years of the Micronesia Challenge and endorsed the new Micronesia Challenge 2030 goals to effectively manage 50% of marine resources, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and 30% of terrestrial resources by 2030. 

Below are various efforts that have been carried out to assess global and regional progress towards the Aichi protected area targets. The paper by Govan (2009) is the most comprehensive assessment of marine protected areas (MPAs), including all LMMAs in the Pacific Islands. Govan’s data has now been incorporated into the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA).  Several of the papers below attempt to assess progress towards targets which relate to factors such as management effectiveness, biodiversity coverage, governance and finance etc. 

As we move closer to 2030, further technical guidance on implementing the new GBF Target 3 that becomes available will be added to the resources section below. Furthermore,  the resources section will be updated as needed to include any new papers or guidance related to taking stock of national, regional and global progress in implementing the GBF Target 3. 

 

Bamboo Bay Community Turtle Management Plan.

Bamboo Bay is an important turtle nesting site in Malekula especially for green and hawksbill turtles. The community has been monitoring and conserving turtles, their nests and hatchlings since the 1990s.

Barriers to volunteering and other challenges facing community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand

In many countries, community-based conservation plays an important role in protecting natural ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

Best Practice in Delivering the 30x30 Target

This guidance document identifies the best options for successful delivery of draft Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). There is good evidence that this will radically increase the success of biodiversity conservation.

Beyond deforestation: redesigning how we protect and value tropical forests (analysis)

Heading into COP30, where tropical forests are set to be a central theme, it seemed worth looking today’s trajectories a little further forward and imagine where they might lead. Part 1 looked at possible fates of tropical forests.

Beyond the boundaries: How regulation-centered marine protected area information improves ocean protection assessments

Comprehensive, spatially explicit data that include regulatory information are essential for evaluating the level of protection that marine protected areas (MPAs) and other marine managed areas (MMAs) provide to marine life, and to inform progress towards ocean protection targets.

Biodiversity and Protected Areas

Protected areas are key to biodiversity conservation. While the value of protected areas is generally undisputed, challenges remain.

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

Biodiversity needs every tool in the box: use OECMs

Global support is growing for the 30 × 30 movement — a goal to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030. In May, the G7 group of wealthy nations endorsed the commitment to this target that had been made by more than 50 countries in January.

Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 17. Lissachatina fulica, the Giant African Snail (Mollusca: Achatinidae; Achatininae)

We review the taxonomy, biology, and the ecological, economic, and human health impacts of the giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, in the Pacific. Invasion of L. fulica in the Pacific has a complex history. Rapid population expansions of L.

Biophysically special, unique marine areas of Fiji.

Fiji is committed to, and is embarking upon, a process to significantly increase the number and coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the country.

Biophysically Special, Unique Marine Areas of Solomon Islands

In April 2016, the Cabinet of the Solomon Islands Government endorsed the establishment of the Ocean12 National Steering Committee (comprising the twelve Ministries relevant to ocean management and use) with the mandate to progress Integrated Ocean Governance for the Solomon Islands.

Biophysically special, unique marine areas of Tonga.

In 2015, the Tongan Cabinet embarked upon a National Marine Spatial Planning process, establishing a marine spatial planning technical working group comprising seven Ministries (the “Ocean 7”). One of their tasks was to identify Tonga’s special, unique marine areas.

Biophysically Special, Unique Marine Areas of Vanuatu

In 2014, the Vanuatu Council of Ministers (Decision No. 172/2014) supported the development of a national ocean policy and marine spatial plan, and in doing so, established an Ocean Policy Subcommittee to guide these processes.

Biophysically Special, Unique Marines Areas of Fiji

Fiji is committed to, and is embarking upon, a process to significantly increase the number and coverage of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the country.

BioTIME hourglass logo BioTIME

BioTIME is designed especially for scientific synthesis studies with research questions about global biodiversity. We believe that data is valuable and should be made usable.

Birds and bats reduce herbivory damage in Papua New Guinean highland forests

Insectivorous predators, including birds and bats, play crucial roles in trophic cascades.

Blue Carbon Ecosystems of the South Pacific: Ecosystem Assessments in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu

The project contributes to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)’s component of the Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (or MACBLUE) project, aiming to “contribute to human and technical capacity to the mapping, management and rehabilitation of co

Blue Carbon Ecosystems of the South Pacific: Field-Based Carbon Assessments in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu

The project contributes to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)’s component of the
Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (or MACBLUE) project, aiming to “contribute to human and

Blue Carbon Finance Toolbox First edition: June 2025

The     Blue     Carbon     Finance     Toolbox     provides     a     comprehensive  overview  of  financial  mechanisms  and  strategies  to  support  the  conservation, &nbsp

Blue Prosperity Vanuatu 2023 Coral Reef Study Preliminary Science Report

From 1-21 September 2023, the Government of Vanuatu, in partnership with Blue Prosperity Vanuatu, local NGOs, and international collaborators, conducted the largest nationwide coral reef study across all six (6) provinces of Vanuatu.

Blue Prosperity Vanuatu FINAL SCIENCE REPORT

From 1–21 September 2023, the Government of Vanuatu, in partnership with the Waitt Institute through Blue Prosperity Vanuatu, conducted the most extensive coral reef survey in the nation’s history.

Can the ocean heal?

The common interest in healthy fish stocks means that solutions must involve support from conservationists, scientists and fishers.

Capacity Development for Protected and Other Conserved Areas in the Pacific Islands Region

This document is an important tool for promoting action. It highlights the importance of culturally‐responsive capacity development, with Pacific Islanders defining the most appropriate approaches to be used.

Challenges and opportunities integrating remote sensing for mangrove conservation in Papua New Guinea's complex natural and human landscapes.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to one of the largest mangrove habitats (6% of the world’s mangrove area), which plays a crucial role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration and supporting biodiversity and livelihoods.

Characteristics of effective marine protected areas in Hawaiʻi

Ancient Hawaiians developed sophisticated natural resource management systems that included various forms of spatial management.

CKI OECM Workshop Report - January 2023

The CKI OECM Workshop Report consolidates the discussions, outcomes, recommendations and next steps following the Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures Workshop, hosted by the National Environment Service, in partnership with Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Program and

Climate benefits from establishing marine protected areas targeted at blue carbon solutions

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are recognized as highly effective tools for marine conservation. They may also play an important role in mitigating climate change.

Climate change is driving fish stocks from countries’ waters to the high seas: Study

Fish and other marine organisms, though deeply affected by human activities, don’t respect human borders. The ranges of many commercially important species in fact straddle the borders of countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and international waters, known as the high seas.

Coastal wetland resilience through local, regional and global conservation

Coastal wetlands, including tidal marshes, mangrove forests and tidal flats, support the livelihoods of millions of people.

Common misconceptions of ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) and implications for global conservation targets

The commitment to protect 30% of the Earth’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has seen growing attention paid to ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) to help achieve this target.

Community Synthesis Report - Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) Central Province, Solomon Islands

This publication is a simplified summary version of the report ‘Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) for Central Province, Solomon Islands’.

Community Synthesis Report - Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) Central Province, Solomon Islands

This publication is a simplified summary version of the report ‘Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) for Central Province, Solomon Islands’.

Community-Based Management

Community Based Management resources

Comparing impacts and recovery of locally managed reefs after exposure to extreme waves from a category 5 cyclone

As the climate warms, coral reefs face more frequent and severe impacts from thermal stress while a greater proportion of tropical cyclones are expected to reach the strongest categories.

Comparison of historical (1980s) and contemporary (2023–2024) microplastic contamination of arc clams (Anadara spp.) from tidal flats in Suva, Fiji

Microplastic pollution threatens marine ecosystems, especially in vulnerable regions like the Pacific Islands. This study examines temporal trends by comparing Anadara spp. specimens from Fiji's tidal flats in the 1980s and 2023–2024.

Compendium of guidance for capturing, managing and using biodiversity-related data and information

This compendium of guidance provides details of information sources for capturing, managing, using, and sharing data, all in the context of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Compendium of guidance on achieving synergies among biodiversity-related conventions at the national level

The purpose of the document is to help increase access to existing guidance material on synergies among biodiversity-related conventions and to provide a basis for identifying gaps in the available guidance.

Conservation Finance for Coral Reefs

Coral reefs face threats from climate change and local pressures, but many initiatives designed to deliver conservation outcomes for them and the social-economic systems they support are limited by sustainable finance and the availability of funds over the long term.

Conservation of birds in fragmented landscapes requires protected areas

For successful conservation of biodiversity, it is vital to know whether protected areas in increasingly fragmented landscapes effectively safeguard species. However, how large habitat fragments must be, and what level of protection is required to sustain species, remains poorly known.

CONSERVING AT LEAST 30% OF THE PLANET BY 2030 – What should count?

This brief seeks to bring clarity to the question of what could count toward the 30% global minimum target. within the context of recognized area-based conservation measures and their ability to deliver positive long-term conservation outcomes.

Conserving our sea of islands - State of protected and conserved areas in Oceania

Conserving our sea of islands: State of protected and conserved areas in Oceania is a landmark publication, bringing together regional and international experts to prepare the first comprehensive review of the status and issues for protected and conserved areas in the region.

Conserving our sea of islands State of protected and conserved areas in Oceania

Conserving our sea of islands: State of protected and conserved areas in Oceania report is the first comprehensive regional assessment of protected and conserved areas.

Considering Indigenous Peoples and local communities in governance of the global ocean commons

The United Nations are currently negotiating a new international legally-binding instrument to govern the global ocean commons, a vast area beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) owned by everyone but not cared for by any single entity.

Contemporary Ra¯hui: placing Indigenous, conservation, and sustainability sciences in community-led conservation

Resource sustainability requires recognising and developing pathways to integrate local and Indigenous knowledges alongside conservation and sustainability sciences within management practices and governance.

Contribution of Marine Conservation Agreements to Biodiversity Protection, Fisheries Management and Sustainable Financing in Fiji

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has just finished a report on the "Contribution of Marine Conservation Agreements to Biodiversity Protection, Fisheries Management and Sustainable Financing in Fiji."The report documents the degree and scale to which Marine Conservation Agreements (MCA

Cook Islands State of Environment (SOE) report

The 2018 SOE is a new baseline for future reports and can help the Cook Islands with national regional and international reporting obligations including multi-lateral environmental agreements.Available onlineCall Number: 333.7209623 COO, [EL]ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04