In 2022, Canada was one of 196 countries that committed to protecting 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030, marking a major milestone in conservation and an unprecedented pledge to global biodiversity recovery – but will we actually deliver on this promise? 

December 2022 marked a major milestone in conservation efforts when leaders and governments from around the world collectively agreed to a framework to safeguard nature and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, demonstrating an unprecedented commitment to global biodiversity recovery. With so many international plans, goals, and strategies (and their related acronyms), floating around, it is easy to get overwhelmed. And while there are others which exist, this is a quick breakdown focused specifically on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). 

What was COP15? 

To provide context of the GBF, let’s start with COP15. The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) took place in Montréal, Québec from December 7th to 19th, 2022, and was held under the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity – an international environmental treaty signed at the 1922 Rio Earth Summit. 

COP15 was a large meeting where leaders and governments gathered to discuss efforts, strategies and policies to address the global biodiversity crisis. The focus of the 2022 Conference was on green infrastructure and approaches to connect people to nature and take action for biodiversity, centered around themes to engage, influence, and act. 

COP15 led to the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, signed by more than 190 countries. 

What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework? 

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (or the GBF for short), is a global plan agreed upon at COP15, which includes 23 targets aimed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss – think, as the Paris Agreement does for climate change. 

With that, while this post is centered on the GBF, it is important to note that the Framework does not operate in isolation. For instance, it aligns closely with broader frameworks that exist, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015. The Framework even makes direct reference to the SDG in its Introduction to the GBF. In this context, the GBF supports the achievement of these larger goals, particularly those focused on life on land (SDG 15), life below water (SDG 14), and climate action (SDG 13) as an example. 

Back to the GBF, as integral to achieving recovery, it also emphasizes the importance of international partners and the critical collaboration with Indigenous Peoples’ as the true guardians of the land. One of the major targets of the framework is known as the 30×30 goal. 

What is the 30 x 30 Initiative? 

The 30×30 target, formally known as Target 3 of the GBF, aims to conserve 30% of the Earth’s land, waters, and seas by 2030. This is a measurable and ambitious goal to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity, calling for the employment and enhancement of protected areas and areas of particular importance (often referred to as “other effective conservation measures” or OECMs) for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, in addition to Indigenous and traditional territories. 

While emphasizing respect for Indigenous people and local communities, the 30×30 target places the rights of Indigenous communities and Indigenous leadership at the core to conservation – another significant achievement, as past targets have failed in large part due to little or nonexistent recognition.

What is actually needed for Canada to achieve 30×30? 

In addition to the strategies presented in the target itself, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness society created a Roadmap to 2030: Delivering on Canada’s Land and Ocean Protection Targets. This document outlines more specific opportunities for protecting nature across Canada’s lands and oceans, many of which are already part of existing planning strategies and Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. 

If fully realized, the GBF provides a roadmap for biodiversity recovery worldwide and would guide conservation efforts through the end of the decade with the aim of seeing species and ecosystems regenerate around the world. However, achieving these goals relies on national coordination, systemic transformation, cross-sector collaboration and innovation, and a more holistic realization for the value of the environment in the decision-making process. This includes strong collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, across all levels of government, industries, environmental organizations and agencies, as well as philanthropy and private landowners. 

It is our responsibility especially to hold our leaders accountable. Real investment, capacity building, strong partnerships, and cross-sectoral alignment are needed to operationalize these integrated climate biodiversity frameworks for Canada to truly deliver on the GBF, but transparency and announcement is foundational to achieving real action. Without this, we risk far more than simply falling behind on these commitments. 

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