Protected Area targets have been set globally, regionally, and sometimes at a country level. The global targets for all countries that are signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets are 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.
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.
Below are various efforts that have been carried out to assess progress (global and regional) towards Aichi protected area targets. The paper by Govan (2009) is the most comprehensive assessment of marine protected areas (MPAs), including all LMAs 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.
THE IUCN WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS OCEANIA Newsletter No. 4 2018
The fourth edition of the Newsletter of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Oceania (2018). IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world's premier network of protected area expertise.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Business as usual or a turning point?
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)1 was adopted during the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at 3:30 a.m. on the morning of December 19, 2022, against a backdrop of protests by African countries.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands - State of Environment Report 2016
This report updates the 1992 State of Environment report with the latest findings from the Marshall Islands. Environmental reporting is defined as a requirement for RMI in the ‘Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination (OEPPC) Act 2003’.
The role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in effective and equitable conservation
Debate about what proportion of the Earth to protect often overshadows the question of how nature should be conserved and by whom.
The three screen doors: Can marine “protected” areas be effective?
The great majority of marine protected areas (MPAs) fail to meet their management objectives. So MPAs can be effective conservation tools, we recommend two paradigm shifts, the first related to how they are located and the second related to how they are managed.
The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT)
The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) is a coalition of nature conservation and development organizations, governments, inter-government, donor agencies and community groups created to increase effective conservation action in the Pacific Island Region. It was established
Tonga - Rapid Biodiversity Assessment (BIORAP) of the Vava'u Archipelago
This report presents the results and recommendations of a Biological Rapid Assessment Programme (BIORAP) carried out in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Vava’u Archipelago, Tonga, from 13 to 28 February 2014.
Towards reducing misrepresentation of national achievements in marine protected area targets
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted 20 targets, known as the Aichi Targets, to benchmark progress towards protecting biodiversity.
Traditional knowledge and the BBNJ instrument
Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) are the holders of a vast amount of traditional knowledge of the ocean and its resources.
Turning the Tide for Coral Reefs: the ICRI Plan of Action 2021-2024
The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss have brought into stark relief the need for greater collaboration and action at the international level to conserve, manage, and restore coral reefs.
United Nations List of Protected Areas 2018
The 2018 UN List provides up-to-date information on marine and terrestrial protected areas globally, and identifies those protected areas that have been the subject of management effectiveness evaluations.
Unity of Nature and Man: a new vision and conceptual framework for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
People live in nature. However, substantial evidence confirms that, under the pressure of anthropogenic alteration, nature is being fragmented, imperiled and becoming less able to provide essential services.
Use of surrogate species to cost-effectively prioritize conservation actions
Conservation efforts often focus on umbrella species whose distributions overlap with many other flora and fauna.
Vanuatu National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan [NBSAP] 2018-2030
Vanuatu signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) joining other 190 CBD parties to protect our global biodiversity. Vanuatu’s first National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was developed and endorsed in November 1999.
Vemööre Declaration : Commitments to nature conservation action in the Pacific Islands region, 2021-2025
“Vemööre” is a term in the Kwenyï language spoken by people from the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia.
Video - An ingenious proposal for scaling up marine protection | The Nature Conservancy
Island and coastal nations need to protect their waters to keep the oceans healthy. But they often have lots of debt and aren't able to prioritize ocean conservation over other needs.
Video - BIOPAMA grantees' voices: MELAD Kiribati
Experiences from the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development regarding their medium grant under the EU-ACP BIOPAMA Action Component focusing on management interventions for the Kiritimati Island Conservation Protected Area.
Video - National Protected Areas Forum highlights 2021, Papua New Guinea
The aim of the National Protected Areas Forum was to fulfill mandates and strengthen policies to protect the country’s abundant natural assets into the future to benefit all life and future generations.
Video - Palau: Nest of Life
Palauans describe the environment as "Lukel a Klengar" - the nest of life.
Visitors Count! Guidance for protected areas on the economic analysis of visitation
This guidance document aims to build awareness, knowledge, and capacity internationally on how to best undertake economic evaluations of tourism in protected areas, and thereby contribute towards a globally acknowledged standard methodology.
Vuri Clan Forest Conservation Area Management Plan - Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands
This Management Plan was prepared by the representatives of the Vuri Clan of Sikipozo Tribe in partnership with the Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF), Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands (ESSI), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SI), the Ministry of Forestry and Research (National He
What determines the effectiveness of national protected area networks?
More than 15% of global terrestrial area is under some form of protection and there is a growing impetus to increase this coverage to 30% by 2030. But not all protection is effective and the reasons some countries’ protected areas (PAs) are more effective than others’ are poorly understood.
What's on the horizon for community-based conservation? Emerging threats and opportunities
Community-based conservation can support livelihoods and biodiversity, while reinforcing local and Indigenous values, cultures, and institutions. Its delivery can help address cross-cutting global challenges, such as climate change, conservation, poverty, and food security.
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Oceania Newsletter No.1, 2020
The first edition of the Newsletter of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Oceania (WCPA Oceania) for 2020 is now available.
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Oceania Newsletter No.2, 2020
The second edition of the Newsletter of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Oceania (WCPA Oceania) for 2020 is now available.
World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Oceania Newsletter No.3, 2018
The third edition of the Newsletter of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Oceania (2018). IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world's premier network of protected area expertise.
World Commission On Protected Areas (WCPA) Oceania Newsletter, No. 4 2019
The fourth edition of the Newsletter of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Oceania (2019)
World Database on Protected Areas
The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database of marine and terrestrial protected areas, updated on a monthly basis, and is one of the key global biodiversity data sets being widely used by scientists, businesses, governments, International secretariats an
World Heritage Conservation in the Pacific: The Case of Solomon Islands
East Rennell (part of the island of Rennell, in Solomon Islands) was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. Its listing was a milestone in the development of the World Heritage Convention regime.
WWF Living Planet Report 2022 - Building a Nature-Positive Society
This edition of the Living Planet Report confirms the planet is in the midst of a biodiversity and climate crisis, and that we have a last chance to act. This goes beyond conservation.
