In advance of critical biodiversity negotiations in Geneva, over twenty former headers of state, ministers, and environmental and indigenous leaders urgently called on governments – including their own – to back the protection of at least 30% of the planet by 2030. 

Led by former US Senator Russ Feingold and comprised of either former Heads of State, two former Prime Ministers, six former Ministers, and four environmental and indigenous and local experts, the Campaign for Nature’s Global Steering Committee (GSC) has released a joint statement asserting that the success of an upcoming global biodiversity agreement hinges on the adoption the global, science-backed 30×30 target.

“We urge all leaders to join us in this moment of decisive action to safeguard our future…We now know that protecting at least 30% of the planet is a necessary component of any strategy to effectively respond to the biodiversity crisis as well as the climate crisis,” read the statement. 

The statement urged governments that have not yet endorsed the 30×30 goal to join the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC), a group of countries championing the target on a global scale. Many GSC members hail from countries that have not yet signed on in support of the HAC, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, and Iceland.

HAC members currently include over 85 countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and more. 

The statement was released on the eve of the UN Convention on Biodiversity’s third and last round of negotiations – set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland 13 – 27 March – before the final final biodiversity agreement – known as the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework – is signed by more than 190 countries later this summer at a summit in Kunming, China, the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15). 

30×30 target is ‘necessary component’ to combat biodiversity and climate crisis 

In the statement, the GSC commended the progress made in response to the overwhelming evidence that backed the 30×30 target as a “necessary component of any strategy to effectively respond to the biodiversity crisis as well as the climate crisis”.

Progress made over the last year includes the unprecedented philanthropic commitment of $5 billion to support the implementation of 30×30, announced during the September 2020 UN General Assembly in New York.

Calls to close biodiversity gaps were also endorsed, particularly the call for developed countries to provide at least $60 billion annually in international finance for biodiversity. 

The GSC also acknowledged how nature and biodiversity featured even more prominently at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow in November 2020. 

Conservation efforts must protect Indigenous people

The statement also underscored that all conservation efforts must protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities, “who know the land we seek to protect better than anyone.” 

“It is also vital to acknowledge that Indigenous People are inextricably linked to biodiversity and that expanding recognition of their rights is an effective, moral, and affordable solution for conserving nature,” said Russ Feingold in a separate statement. 

Feingold emphasized the need for Indigenous Peoples to be “central partners” in the development and implementation of the Post 2020 Global BIodiversity Framework.” 

More must be done to build on progress as COP15 approaches 

Building on this momentum of unprecedented progress, the GSC called for the further expansion of political and financial support, welcoming the endorsement of the 30×30 goal by the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. 

The report asserts that protection of 30-50% of the world’s land and ocean is required to maintain the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem services at a global scale. 

But the GSC reiterated that more must be done, calling on countries, funders, corporate leaders, and youth to play a role in meaningful change. 

“Now is the time to redouble our efforts. Every nation has a critical role to play as we approach the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Kunming, China.“ 

“Everyone has a role to play in protecting nature and our time is now. Let us rise to the occasion together and set a course that secures a better tomorrow for us all,” the statement reads. 

Other members of the GSC echoed these calls in separate statements.

“With COP26 behind us, it might be easy to think we can take a breath. But we cannot, we do not have time. It is vital that all parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity come together at COP15 to commit to bold and ambitious targets, 30×30 included, said former Foreign Minister of Argentina Susana Malcorra. 

“None of our futures are certain unless we are united in this effort.”

Image Credits: UNDP / Vlad Sokhin, einalem.