The 30x30 Biodiversity Goal: Bridging Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Action
The Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30x30 target is a significant point of discussion among environmental policymakers. This ambitious goal aims to conserve 30% of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030 through protected areas and various conservation methods. The 30x30 target is a crucial strategy to bolster biodiversity and aid in climate change mitigation, providing a holistic approach to environmental sustainability.
The 30x30 Framework
The 30x30 goal aims for at least 30% of land and sea areas — especially those crucial for biodiversity — to be effectively, equitably managed, and ecologically represented through well-connected conservation systems. Additionally, the framework seeks nature-based contributions to global climate mitigation efforts to tune at least 10 GtCO2e per year.
Nature-Based Solutions in Climate Mitigation
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions that sustainably manage and restore ecosystems. They offer a pragmatic approach to tackling societal challenges while also benefiting biodiversity. In the context of climate change, these solutions harness natural processes to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in various ecosystems like forests, agricultural lands, and coastal wetlands.
Synergy in Action: 30x30 and Nature-Based Solutions
The mitigation potential of NBS is profoundly highlighted by the fact that Earth’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems absorb approximately 56% of anthropogenic CO2. When incorporated within the broader 30x30 framework, NBS can supercharge efforts to achieve these ambitious conservation and climate mitigation goals. For example, conserving existing wetlands under the 30x30 initiative would serve as a biodiversity boon and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A Multi-Benefit Approach
The symbiotic relationship between biodiversity and climate mitigation is undeniable. Ecosystem management and evidence-based restoration can achieve conservation objectives and significantly mitigate climate change impacts. This offers various benefits, including improved air and water quality, social well-being, and economic incentives, presenting a compelling case for the 30x30 goal at COP28.
A Crucial Juncture for Environmental Action
This period marks a pivotal moment for global leaders to acknowledge and address the interconnection between biodiversity preservation and climate action. Embracing the 30x30 goal, which aims to conserve 30% of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030, along with a solid commitment to NBS, is essential for paving the way towards a more resilient and sustainable future.
Robert C. Brears is the founder of Our Future Water, which has knowledge partnerships with various organizations, including the OECD/World Bank/UNEP’s Green Growth Knowledge Platform and the World Bank’s Connect4Climate initiative. Robert is the Editor in Chief of Mark and Focus. He is the author of 14 books, including Financing Water Security and Green Growth (Oxford University Press) and Nature-Based Solutions to 21st Century Challenges (Routledge), and the Editor in Chief of The Palgrave Handbook of Climate Resilient Societies. Robert is on the roster of experts (water) for the UN’s Green Climate Fund.
