Blue Carbon Ecosystems, the 30 by 30 Challenge and the MAB Programme of UNESCO

The 30 by 30 Challenge was launched in 2019 as a worldwide initiative for governments to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean areas as protected areas by 2030, 10% as strictly protected areas. This Challenge aims to halt the accelerating loss of biodiversity and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. The 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, convened under the auspices of the United Nations, chaired by China, and hosted by Canada, adopted the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF), including four goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030. This Framework was signed by 196 Government Parties. Its main outcome consists of an agreement to the effective conservation and management of at least 30% of the world’s land, coastal areas and oceans (currently, 17% of land and 8% of marine areas are under protection). It also foresees the restoration of 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, the reduction to near zero of the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance and high ecological integrity. UNESCO, with its network of around 2000 sites covering almost 6% of terrestrial surface, can play an important role in achieving this challenge in stimulating all its 194 Member States to adhere to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and, at the same time, in nominating additional sites to UNESCO, so as to achieve 50% of the Challenge.