Biodiversity in protected areas is declining faster than in unprotected zones. The COP16 report stresses that the 30×30 target alone may not curb nature loss, highlighting the need for deeper, more effective conservation measures.
Biodiversity Declining Faster in Protected Areas, Scientists Warn at COP16
The recent COP16 summit in Colombia has revealed an alarming trend: biodiversity is declining even more rapidly in protected areas than in unprotected ones. The study warns that simply designating land as “protected” isn’t enough to stop biodiversity loss, underscoring the need for effective conservation strategies.
30×30 Target in Focus
The global 30×30 target aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030. Agreed upon in 2022, it is a central focus of the current COP16 talks in Cali, Colombia. However, researchers warn that without proper implementation, merely labeling areas as protected won’t ensure better outcomes for biodiversity.
A new analysis by the Natural History Museum (NHM) found that biodiversity in protected zones has declined by 2.1 percentage points between 2000 and 2020, compared to a 1.9-point drop in non-protected biodiversity-rich areas. According to Dr. Gareth Thomas, NHM’s Head of Research Innovation, “The 30×30 target is essential, but our findings show it’s not enough to just mark areas as protected.”
The State of Protected Lands
Approximately 17.5% of land and 8.4% of marine areas are currently protected. This is only a small increase since COP15 in 2022, indicating that more land will need to be designated as protected to meet the 2030 goal. But scientists argue that the existing protections aren’t stringent enough. Many protected lands are only partly dedicated to preserving ecosystems, with limited attention to biodiversity intactness.
Threats from Industry and Climate
Oil, gas, and mining activities also threaten biodiversity-rich areas. The Conkouati-Douli National Park in the Republic of the Congo, for instance, has over 65% of its land covered by oil and gas concessions. In the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia, around 254,000 square kilometers of protected land face similar threats. These concessions often overlap with Indigenous territories, posing risks to ecosystems and Indigenous livelihoods.
Climate change also adds another layer of threat. Wildfires, droughts, and other extreme weather events don’t respect protected boundaries. Australia’s 2019 fires destroyed large portions of its national parks, showcasing the vulnerability of protected areas to climate-induced disasters.
Quality vs. Quantity in Conservation
Research from the University of New South Wales highlights ineffective conservation policies in biodiversity-rich countries like Indonesia, Venezuela, and Madagascar. Key issues include corruption, political instability, and lack of funding. Emma Woods, Director of Policy at NHM, emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach: “We need to focus beyond the 30×30 designation to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems actually benefit.”
Moving Forward at COP16
The findings at COP16 are a call to action for policymakers to move beyond simply hitting numerical targets. Effective conservation will require stricter policies, improved management of protected areas, and sustainable funding for enforcement and restoration efforts. Ben Groom, Professor of Biodiversity Economics at Exeter University, warns that shallow policies won’t be enough. “Support for the 30×30 target is positive, but shallow implementation risks undermining the goal.”
The COP16 summit presents an opportunity to reassess and strengthen conservation strategies. Ensuring real protection for biodiversity will demand a deeper commitment from global leaders, particularly in enforcing strict protections and supporting sustainable practices.