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.
'The Future is Now: Science for Sustainable Development' - Global Sustainable Development Report 2019
Despite considerable efforts these past four years, we are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We must dramatically step up the pace of implementation as we enter a decisive decade for people and the planet.
12. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas - Papers
The EBSAs are special areas in the ocean that serve important purposes, in one way or another, to support the healthy functioning of oceans and the many services that it provides.
30x30 A Guide to Inclusive, Equitable and Effective Implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
This document is a guide along the path to realizing Target 3 of the KMGBF. It guides us through the text of the Target itself, breaking down all of the elements and, perhaps most importantly, it is loaded with links to more details.
A Better World (Vol.6)
With the establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the Human Development Forum launched a series of publications entitled A Better World, each volume dedicated to one of the 17 SDGs.
A Biodiversity Hotspots Treaty: The Road not Taken
After brief introductory comments on the Dasgupta Review, I turn to a subject little discussed in this report, the Convention on Biological Diversity.
A call for improving the Key Biodiversity Areas framework
Eight percent of all land surface has been designated as “Key Biodiversity Areas” (KBAs). Since these areas were established based on two percent of all terrestrial species estimated to exist, we ask what would happen if we used all species on Earth to identify additional KBAs.
A Comparative Analysis of Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) Evaluation Tools for the Pacific Islands Region
This report was commissioned by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to raise awareness and understanding of the tools available to evaluate Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME); to provide case studies from the region on PAME assessment; and to help inf
A Contrast of Criteria for Special Places Important for Biodiversity Outcomes
This paper contrasts seven spatial biodiversity conservation area designations by six different bodies: Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and the Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Vulnerable Marine
A global assessment of the prevalence of current and potential future infrastructure in Key Biodiversity Areas
Infrastructure development is a major threat to biodiversity, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation, increased accessibility and pollution.
A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas
The KBA Standard is formally taken to include definitions, the criteria and thresholds, and delineation procedures.
A handbook for identifying, evaluating and reporting other effective area-based conservation measures in marine fisheries
This handbook for identifying, evaluating and reporting other effective area-based conservation measures in marine fisheries builds on a wealth of FAO fisheries guidance, including the FAO Technical Guidelines on Fisheries Management (FAO, 1997) and the various FAO Technical Guidelines for Respon
A resilient and connected network of sites to sustain biodiversity under a changing climate
Motivated by declines in biodiversity exacerbated by climate change, we identified a network of conservation sites designed to provide resilient habitat for species, while supporting dynamic shifts in ranges and changes in ecosystem composition.
A role for UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme under the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
A case is put forward to make best use of UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme (RSP) for the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF).
A spatial overview of the global importance of Indigenous lands for conservation
Understanding the scale, location and nature conservation values of the lands over which Indigenous Peoples exercise traditional rights is central to implementation of several global conservation and climate agreements.
About the Pacific Islands Protected Area Portal (PIPAP)
The PIPAP Vision
To provide a doorway through which Pacific Islands protected area practitioners can share expertise and benefit from opportunities
Addressing the implementation challenge of the global biodiversity framework
A Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is under discussion for the period 2021–2030, which will replace the ‘‘Aichi Targets’’ adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2010.
Advancing Social Equity in and Through Marine Conservation
Substantial efforts and investments are being made to increase the scale and improve the effectiveness of marine conservation globally.
Advancing Sustainable Development and Protected Area Management with Social Media‐Based Tourism Data
Sustainable tourism involves increasingly attracting visitors while preserving the natural capital of a destination for future generations.
Aichi Biodiversity Targets - Pacific Regional Workshop, July 2016
Aichi Biodiversity Targets - Pacific Regional Workshop, Fiji, July 11-13, 2016
An international assessment of the barriers influencing the effectiveness of island ecosystem management
Island ecosystems are disproportionally impacted by biodiversity loss and as such their effective management is critical to global conservation efforts.
An Introduction to the MPA guide
The Marine Protected Area (MPA) Guide refines existing language and captures a shared vision to describe MPAs and the conservation outcomes they provide. The Guide is the work of many hundreds of stakeholders from around the world.
An inventory of biodiversity data sources for conservation monitoring
Many conservation managers, policy makers, businesses and local communities cannot access the biodiversity data they need for informed decision-making on natural resource management.
Area-based conservation in the twenty-first century
Humanity will soon define a new era for nature—one that seeks to transform decades of underwhelming responses to the global biodiversity crisis.
Assessing the quantity and quality of marine protected areas in the Mariana Islands
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are ubiquitous in global ocean conservation and play a pivotal role in achieving local, national, and regional area-based conservation targets.
Assessment of management effectiveness for PNG's protected areas 2017
This is the final report prepared by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for submission to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Papua New Guinea Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in relation to the 2016–17 assessment of t
Assessment of post -2010 National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) were always seen as a key instrument for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and other biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs).
Avoiding the Misuse of other Effective Area-based Conservation measures in the wake of the Blue Economy
Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) represent unique opportunities to help achieve the 2030 biodiversity conservation agenda. However, potential misuse by governments and economic sectors could compromise the outcome of these conservation efforts.
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 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 Indicators Dashboard - NatureServe
The Biodiversity Indicators Dashboard
Measuring Progress and Challenges to Conservation
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.
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 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.
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.
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 the
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.
Community-Based Management
Community Based Management resources
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.
Compendium of guidance on key global databases related to biodiversity-related conventions
This compendium is a compilation of available global databases.
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.
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.
