Global 2030 biodiversity targets

How the story developed

On August 26, draft United Nations findings showed that the world was falling short on 22 of 23 targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Nature-destructive investments outpaced conservation funding by a 30-to-1 ratio globally, with approximately $7.3 trillion annually flowing into activities that actively degrade ecosystems.

Meeting the 2030 targets required scaling Nature-based Solutions funding to $571 billion annually. At the time, only 2.8 percent of the global ocean was considered effectively protected from harmful human activities, though new financial models and conservation strategies offered a roadmap to close the gap before the end of the decade.

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By September 24, a global assessment indicated that the target to protect 30 percent of the world's land by 2030 remained within reach, as existing national commitments would protect 27 percent of global land. However, ocean conservation was falling significantly behind, with existing commitments only increasing marine protection to 12 percent.

While 10 percent of the ocean was designated for conservation, only 3.5 percent was effectively protected from destructive activities. Ocean conservation faced a massive funding shortfall, receiving just $1.8 billion of the $16 billion needed annually, leaving critical ecosystems vulnerable.

AI-generated

What to watch

• Negotiators at the COP17 summit in Yerevan are focusing on closing implementation and financing gaps, reviewing collective progress, and enforcing accountability.
• Developing nations are awaiting a promised $20 billion in annual international financing to meet strict land-use regulations.