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.
Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) for three Communities of Southern Malaita & Maramasike Passage, Solomon Islands : Summary Report
This report presents a summary of an Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) project in three communities in South Malaita, Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands; Tapa'atewa, Eliote and Ori Pre.
Ecosystem and socio-economic resilience analysis and mapping Macuata Province Fiji
The ecosystem and socio-economic resilience analysis and mapping (ESRAM) is a baseline study to identify vulnerabilities in ecosystem services at national, provincial and community scales in Fiji.
Ecosystem and socio-economic resilience analysis and mapping Taveuni Island, Fiji
The ecosystem and socio-economic resilience analysis and mapping (ESRAM) is a baseline study to identify vulnerabilities in ecosystem services at national, provincial and community scales in Fiji.
Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Resilience Analysis and Mapping Navua catchment and Beqa lagoon 2024
This report presents the Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) prepared as part of Objective 4. ESRAM is a framework employed globally to evaluate and strengthen the resilience of both, natural ecosystems and the socioeconomic systems closely linked to them.
Ecosystem-based adaptation options assessment - Macuata province Fiji
This project identifies two Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) options that are organisational tools to strengthen the ability of the Government of Fiji to manage for the resilience and diversity of ecosystem services over time.
Ecosystem-based adaptation options assessment and masterplan for Honiara, Solomon Islands.
This report presents the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Options Assessment and Masterplan for Honiara prepared as part of the Solomon Islands Ecosystems and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) to assess and prioritise climate change-related ecosystem-based adaptation options
Ecosystem-based adaptation options assessment and masterplan Taveuni Fiji
This project identifies a range of Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) options that support ecosystem function and the community's continued to access to ecosystem services.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation Options Assessment and Masterplan, Wagina
This report presents the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Options Assessment and Masterplan for Wagina prepared as part of the Solomon Islands Ecosystems and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) to assess and prioritise climate change-related ecosystem-based adaptation options f
eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas
Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness.
Effectiveness of the world network of biosphere reserves in maintaining forest ecosystem functions
UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as learning areas for sustainable development, where preserving ecosystem functionality is an imperative. However, this critical assumption has yet to be thoroughly examined.
Eliminating invasive rats may restore nutrient flow across food chain networks in Seychelles
Ecosystems are characterized by interconnected structure and functions.
Enabling Pathways for Rights-based Community-led Conservation
The Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) recognizes that durable conservation outcomes cannot be achieved without the rights, leadership, and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities.
Engaging the tropical majority to make ocean governance and science more equitable and effective
How can ocean governance and science be made more equitable and effective? The majority of the world’s ocean-dependent people live in low to middle-income countries in the tropics (i.e., the ‘tropical majority’).
Engaging youth in biodiversity education through visual narrative
Engaging youth in early and sustained conservation education has important implications for promoting positive attitudes and behaviors in those who will become the future of conservation and management.
Enhanced regional connectivity between western North American national parks will increase persistence of mammal species diversity
Many protected areas worldwide increasingly resemble habitat isolates embedded in human-modifed landscapes. However, establishing linkages among protected areas could signifcantly reduce speciesloss rates.
Enhancing coral bleaching predictive tools through integrating sensitivity to heat exposure
Predicting coral bleaching events has been key to reef conservation management efforts. Current satellite-based bleaching prediction tools offer effective regional-scale alerts of bleaching risk, but lack reliability at the reef-scale.
Enua Manea: Takitumu Conservation Area, Cook Islands
The video showcases the Takitumu Conservation Area in Rarotonga emphasising the collaborative and enduring efforts of local communities, environmental organisations, and conservation practitioners.Call Number: [EL]Physical Description: 20 mins
Equipping the next generation of plant taxonomists: Insights and recommendations
Plant taxonomy underpins biodiversity research and conservation, but global disparities in training and resources hinder progress, especially in biodiversity- rich regions.
EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE AREA‐BASED CONSERVATION: TOWARDS THE CONSERVED AREAS PARADIGM
In 2018, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a decision on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
Essential indicators for measuring site-based conservation effectiveness in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
Work on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework is now well advanced andwill outline a vision, goals, and targets for the next decade of biodiversity conser-vation and beyond.
Establishing marine protected areas in a changing climate
This guidance aims to inform the planning, design, and implementation of new and expanded MPAs, OECMs, areas conserved by Indigenous peoples, and networks of protected and conserved areas at the community, national, and international levels.
ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN KADAVU PROVINCE, FIJI DIAGNOSIS AND ACTION PLAN
The Resilience of Ecosystems and Societies to Climate Change (RESCCUE) project is a regional project implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi-use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators
Marine protected areas can serve to regulate harvesting and conserve biodiversity. Within large multi-use MPAs, it is often unclear to what degree critical sites of biodiversity are afforded protection against commercial activities.
Evidence that spillover from Marine Protected Areas benefits the spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) fishery in southern California
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. Some
MPAs are also established to benefit fisheries through increased egg and larval production, or the
Expanding protected area coverage for migratory birds could improve long-term population trends
Populations of many migratory taxa have been declining over recent decades. Although protected areas are a cornerstone for conservation, their role in protecting migratory species can be incomplete due to the dynamic distributions of these species.
Faster Ocean Warming Threatens Richest areas of Marine Biodiversity
The vulnerability of marine biodiversity to accelerated rates of climatic change is poorly understood.
Fiji Marine Interactive Marine Atlas
While the ocean covers more than two thirds of the Earth’s surface, the oceanic territory of Fiji is 70 times larger than its land territory. With an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 1.29 million km 2 , Fiji is a large ocean state.
Fiji National Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation
Coastal and marine ecosystems provide a variety of ecological functions1 that directly and indirectly translate to economic services with value to humans.
Final Evaluation of the project “Forestry and Protected Area Management in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Niue (GEFPAS-FPAM)”
This report presents the findings of the Final Evaluation of the six year1 Global Environment Facility – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (GEF-FAO) Forest Protected Area Management (FPAM) in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Niue project, which was implemented between January 2012 a
FINAL REPORT - Seabird Survey of Aleipata Offshore Islands, Samoa. 24-26 October 2022
The Aleipata group of offshore islands have been identified as one of eight Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Samoa. They are located at the south-eastern end of Upolu Island at 14o3’447.28”S, 171o25’23.84”W (Nu’utele) and 14o4’22.11”S and 171o24’36.17”W (Nu’ulua) offshore.
First Quadrennial Pacific Sustainable Development : Executive Summary 2018
This Pacific Sustainable Development Report 2018 (PSDR) is the first quadrennial Pacific progress report on sustainable development. The report outlines high level trends on progress to date, as well as baseline information.
Five key opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of area-based marine conservation
Effective area-based conservation is central in global efforts to reverse marine biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystem functioning.
For sharks on the brink of extinction, CITES Appendix II isn’t protective enough (commentary)
Sharks are some of the most threatened animals on Earth, with approximately one-third of all species assessed as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List.
Forest Declaration Assessment 2025
Deforestation and degradation rates remained stubbornly high in 2024, pushing the world even further off track from the shared goal of halting and reversing forest loss by 2030.
Forest Loss in Protected Areas and Intact Forest Landscapes: A Global Analysis
Heino M, Kummu M, Makkonen M, Mulligan M, Verburg PH, Jalava M, et al.
Forest Policy Toolkit: Effectiveness and Political Risks (The Forest-Climate Nexus: A Fit-for-Purpose Framework for Climate Impact)
Acknowledging the diversity of forest contexts and the need for tailored approaches, this chapter examines the policy instruments that can operationalize a differentiated forest-climate agenda to achieve conservation and restoration outcomes.
Forests don’t just store carbon. They keep people alive, scientists say
For decades, a dominant argument for protecting forests has focused on carbon. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, store it in wood and soils, and slow the accumulation of greenhouse gases. A new scientific review suggests this emphasis overlooks other ways forests shape climate and human well-being.
Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands Region, 2014-2020
The 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas held in Suva, Fiji, December 2013 produced and adopted a new Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands Region 2014-2020.
From livelihoods to equity for better protected area conservation
Meeting social goals is widely considered essential for effective biodiversity conservation. The dominant approach to meeting social goals has focused mainly on support for local livelihoods, but this has often proved inadequate for achieving either social goals or conservation effectiveness.
Future-proofing the global system of marine protected areas: Integrating climate change into planning and management
Climate change and its impacts are increasingly threatening the ability of marine protected areas (MPA) to meet their conservation goals.
Gains in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services from the expansion of the planet’s protected areas
Protected areas safeguard biodiversity, ensure ecosystem functioning, and deliver ecosystem services to communities. However, only ~16% of the world’s land area is under some form of protection, prompting international calls to protect at least 30% by 2030.
Gaps and weaknesses in the global protected area network for safeguarding at-risk species
Protected areas are essential to biodiversity conservation.
Gaps in Protection of Important Ocean Areas: A Spatial Meta-Analysis of Ten Global Mapping Initiatives
To safeguard biodiversity effectively, marine protected areas (MPAs) should be sited using the best available science. There are numerous ongoing United Nations and nongovernmental initiatives to map globally important marine areas.
GEF Tracking of Aichi Target 11 Progress
GEF Tracking of Aichi Target 11 Progress
Track the progress of GEF funded projects by country under Aichi targets 11 and 12 by registering for the "Project Mgt Information System" at the bottom of the GEF splash page.
Gender Responsive Nature-based Solutions
The Gender-responsive Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Toolkit provides a comprehensive framework and practical guidance for integrating gender-responsive strategies into the planning, implementation, and management of NbS. Developed by Arup and Social
Global Biodiversity Outlook
Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) is the flagship publication of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 - Summary for Policymakers
Humanity stands at a crossroads with regard to the legacy it leaves to future generations. Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, and the pressures driving this decline are intensifying.
Global Biodiversity Standard
The Global Biodiversity Standard is the world’s most scientifically rigorous biodiversity certification that recognises and promotes the protection, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity.
