Landmark agreement at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15): Countries reach ambitious agreement to protect 30% of the planet

The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) held in Montreal, Canada ended with an historic agreement after 196 States came together around a goal that will help protect nature from the serious loss of species and ecosystems.

Specifically, four goals with 23 targets were set for 2030. One of them was the agreement to protect 30% of the planet -land and sea- by 2030 (30x30), with a focus on areas that are particularly important for biodiversity and ecosystemic services. This aligns with the scientific evidence that suggests that protecting at least 30% of nature will give the planet a chance to recover and will avoid the extinction of millions of species.

The agreements reached in the historic document drafted at Montreal -where China served as the Summit President- also include goals for protecting wetlands and tropical forests; maintaining, improving and restoring at least 30% of degraded land, continental water, coastal and marine ecosystems; halting the extinction of species; establishing the concept of “sustainable use” to protect ecosystemic services; recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples; and providing financial resources for the protection of biodiversity.

Minister Maisa Rojas noted that the agreement was reached following intense negotiations that lasted nearly two weeks and that had been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had one last chance to protect biodiversity. We are facing a significant and very serious loss of species at the global level,” the Minister said. “Ecosystems provide sustenance for human life and that of the other species that inhabit the planet. As such, we must raise awareness within the State, private sector, civil society, the academy and society in general in order to ensure that we have a habitable future,” she added.

In regard to the negotiations, she noted, “This agreement gives us hope and shows that most countries want to do the right thing. No country can solve the triple environmental crisis on its own. We have to come together and talk. Fortunately, that is what happened.”

The document -which outlines the plan of action- also established that countries must reduce the loss of areas that are highly important for biodiversity to nearly zero; reduce excess nutrients, pesticides and highly dangerous chemical products; progressively eliminate or reform subsidies that harm nature; increase positive incentives for conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity; mobilize at least US$200 billion per year in funding related to biodiversity; increase international financial flows from developed to developing countries; and prevent the introduction of invasive exotic species and reduce the establishment of known invasive exotic species by at least one half.

The countries also agreed to reduce global food waste by half and to significantly decrease excessive consumption and waste creation.

30× 30

In line with the agreement to protect 30% of the planet by 2030, Chile has been recognized for the conservation of its land and marine areas. In fact, approximately 22% of the country’s land area is protected, and 42% of the Exclusive Economic Area enjoys some form of protection.

Under the agreement, countries should implement adequate governance in protected areas that includes monitoring and management plans and other policies. Chile will achieve this through the creation of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service.