Every day, humans continue to exploit and overfish the ocean, our greatest resource for supporting life on Earth.
30×30 is an ambitious global initiative aimed at protecting 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030. The framework is based on scientific research suggesting that implementing 30% protection is necessary in order to allow marine ecosystems to recover. 30×30 has gained momentum in recent years, with governments, NGOs, and businesses worldwide pledging their support.
But it was not until December 2022, at COP15 in Montreal, Canada, that the monumental 30×30 agreement became a reality. In a commitment to tackle nature’s decline, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) gathered and secured the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
So what does this news mean? Following the agreement reached by world leaders at COP15, we now have seven years to work collaboratively and ensure that governments and stakeholders fulfill their promise and meet their goals to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
How we will achieve success in the 30×30 campaign
1. 30% of the ocean is highly protected.
The first goal is to secure at least 30% of the world’s seas under high protection, meaning that these designated marine protected areas must be free from extractive activities like fishing, mining, and drilling. High protection marine areas are meant to preserve biodiversity, improve resilience in the face of climate change, and enhance ocean productivity. Only two nations in total have reached 30% high or full protection of their waters: Palau (78%) and the United Kingdom (39%).
2. No destructive activities within protected areas.
The second goal is to put an end to destructive activities like bottom trawling. Bottom trawling is a fishing method that involves dragging a weighted net along the seabed, which can cause severe damage to marine life and release immense amounts of carbon, fuelling ocean acidification. The aim is to ban all destructive activities within protected areas, especially those under high or full protection. One of the main challenges is what are sometimes called “paper parks”: governments claiming they have implemented high protection marine areas while still permitting these destructive activities. These areas are designated on a map, but have close to zero protection or management.
3. Equitable participation of communities.
Thousands of Indigenous peoples and local communities have been stewards of the world’s land and ocean long before the rise of colonialism and industrialization. They are key knowledge-holders and have insights into natural resource management unlike anyone else. For example, Indigenous lands hold 80% of global biodiversity while Indigenous peoples make up 5% of the population. It is paramount that governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders take steps toward 30×30 that give equity back to those who were there first. This includes Indigenous peoples, local communities, and artisanal fisheries.
4. A High Seas Treaty ratified by 60 countries.
The fourth goal is to secure a ratified High Seas Treaty to protect waters beyond national jurisdiction. The landmark Treaty was signed in March 2023 and requires urgent ratification. It aims to regulate activities in the High Seas, which are often affected by destructive outcomes like overfishing, pollution, and climate change. The solution offered by the High Seas Treaty is to establish a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. The Treaty will also provide a mechanism for the creation of marine protected areas in the High Seas.
Achieving success in the 30×30 initiative is vital for protecting our ocean and marine life. The campaign goals are ambitious, but they are 100% necessary to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Stakeholders worldwide must continue to work together to make 30×30 a meaningful reality. Only in doing so can we ensure that future generations have access to a healthy ocean and planet.
The race to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 has begun. Sign our petition to tell world leaders promises are nothing without action.