The UK government has set new criteria to meet England’s 30by30 targets at a conference at COP16, a key target for the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Target 3 of the GBF aims to ensure that at least 30% of the Earth’s land and ocean is being effectively conserved and managed by 2030. This is known as the ’30by30′ target and is considered vital to achieving the GBF’s mission.
The criteria for 30by30 targets focus on three themes: purpose, protection and management. This means that 30by30 areas should be able to demonstrate their purposes or management objectives will ensure the delivery of in-situ conservation outcomes; will be sustained over the long term (at least 20 years), and protected against loss or damage to important biodiversity values; and should be effectively managed and able to demonstrate overall progress towards in-situ conservation outcomes.
The government said it has worked with farming groups and nature organisations to finalise the criteria for land that can count toward 30by30 in England and accelerate progress toward the target.
On land, this means ensuring that wildlife-rich habitats benefit from effective, long-term conservation and management of nature. This includes existing habitats as well as those being created or restored as part of a long-term project. Nature-friendly farming may also be able to play a role in supporting 30by30.
To ensure the final criteria are applied consistently across land in England, the update also confirms that Sites of Special Scientific Interest will only count towards 30by30 if they are in favourable or recovering condition. This revises existing estimates to show that approximately 7.1% of England’s land currently counts towards the target.
COP16 is the first opportunity since the GBF was agreed for governments to collectively review progress towards these targets and commitments.
Speaking at a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People at COP16, environment secretary, Steve Reed, said: “Nature around the world is declining at an alarming rate. At COP16, we have put Britain back on the global stage to support nature’s recovery. The UK is calling for high ambition and momentum to reach our international targets to protect and restore the natural world.”
Identifying further conservation opportunities
Analysis is now being undertaken to identify further land that may already meet the criteria and understand where action and support are needed to accelerate progress.
There will be two routes within this process. The first, self-assessment, will enable land to be brought forward by landowners and land managers to be approved by Natural England. The second route, internal assessment, will draw on data already held within Defra Group to identify and assess potential 30by30 areas in an attempt to minimise the burden on landowners and land managers.
A 30by30 pilot is planned for later this year, and the government said it will work with partners to develop a 30by30 delivery strategy in 2025.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, added: “It is vital that we halt and reverse the decline of nature. Our planet’s web of life is fundamental for sustaining our health, wealth and security. Further declines in the health of the natural world will undermine growth and well-being, threaten water and food supplies and diminish our resilience in the face of a fast-changing climate.
“We must take urgent action to restore nature in England at every level, and the criteria for delivering 30by30 is a welcome step which translates the ambitions of our international commitments into meaningful action on the ground.”
