30 by 30 target

Geography glossary

Also called: 30x30 · Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

The 30 by 30 target (also called 30x30) is Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It asks the world to effectively conserve at least 30% of land, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030. This can be done through protected areas or through OECMs (other effective area-based conservation measures), while respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples.

It matters because it is the best-known area target in the global plan that replaced the missed Aichi Targets. It also decides how much space each country must set aside for nature, on land and at sea.

Explanation

Where the target comes from

  • The parent treaty: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This is a legally binding treaty that was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.
  • The plan: the KMGBF was adopted at CBD COP15 in Montreal in December 2022, with China as president. COP (Conference of the Parties) is the meeting of all member countries.
  • Why a new plan was needed: most of the older Aichi Targets (2011–2020) were missed.
  • Structure of the KMGBF:
  • 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
  • The 2050 vision is "living in harmony with nature".
  • 30 by 30 is Target 3 among these 23 targets.

What counts towards the 30%

  • Protected areas: formal areas set up by law, such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. These are all in situ tools, meaning they protect species in their natural habitat.
  • OECMs: areas outside formal protected areas that still conserve nature in practice. Examples are:
  • sacred groves
  • community forests

  • some defence lands

  • The word "effectively" matters. A line on a map is not enough. The area must actually conserve nature.

  • Ex situ tools do not count. Zoos, botanical gardens and gene banks protect species outside their habitat, so they are not part of this area target.

The conditions it needs

  • Respect for people: the rights of Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories must be respected.
  • So the target is not only about fencing off land.

  • It links to NCERT's point that local communities and local institutions (such as panchayats and village forest committees) must take part.

  • Reaching 30% at sea:

  • About two-thirds of the ocean is high seas, meaning it lies beyond any country's jurisdiction.
  • No single country can declare a protected area there.

  • So 30% at sea can only be reached through the High Seas Treaty, which allows marine protected areas (MPAs) to be set up on the high seas.

  • Money: the KMGBF also has Target 19, which aims to raise at least US$ 200 billion a year for biodiversity from all sources. Area targets like 30 by 30 depend on this funding.

Where it occurs

  • Global level:
  • Adopted at: CBD COP15, Montreal, Canada (December 2022). The CBD Secretariat is also in Montreal.
  • Applies to: all Parties to the CBD. The USA has signed the CBD but not ratified it, so it is not a Party.

  • High seas: the open ocean beyond national jurisdiction. Here the target depends on the High Seas Treaty.

  • India:

  • Protected areas that count include Jim Corbett National Park and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
  • Possible OECMs include:
    • Sacred groves: the devrais of Maharashtra, the kavus of Kerala and the sarnas of Jharkhand.
    • Community reserves and Joint Forest Management areas. Joint Forest Management means villages and the forest department managing degraded forests together.
    • Some defence lands.
  • India's plan: India submitted its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) on 31 October 2024 at COP16, Cali, Colombia [1].
    • It covers 2024–2030. It has 23 national targets, matched to the KMGBF's 4 goals and 23 targets [1].
    • 23 ministries helped prepare it. Its focus includes protecting wetlands and coasts [1][2].

Don't confuse with

  • Target 2 of the KMGBF: this one is about restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems. Target 3 (30 by 30) is about conserving 30% of land and sea. Both use "30%", which is a common MCQ trap.
  • Aichi Targets: the older CBD targets for 2011–2020, most of which were missed. 30 by 30 belongs to the KMGBF (2022), which replaced them.
  • Protected areas vs OECMs: protected areas are formally declared for conservation. OECMs are outside the formal protected area system but still conserve nature, such as sacred groves. Both count towards 30 by 30.
  • Target 19 of the KMGBF: this is the money target (US$ 200 billion a year). It is not an area target.

Prelims Hooks

  • 30 by 30 = Target 3 of the KMGBF. It covers land, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans, to be conserved by 2030.
  • The KMGBF was adopted at CBD COP15, Montreal, December 2022, under China's presidency. It has 4 goals (2050) and 23 targets (2030).
  • Trap: "Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems" is Target 2, not Target 3.
  • OECMs (such as sacred groves, community forests and some defence lands) count towards the 30%. Zoos and gene banks (ex situ) do not.
  • About two-thirds of the ocean is high seas. So reaching 30% at sea depends on the High Seas Treaty.
  • India's NBSAP 2024–2030 was submitted on 31 October 2024 at COP16, Cali, with 23 national targets [1].

Mains Points

  • 30 by 30 must be people-centred (GS-III).
  • Reaching 30% needs OECMs such as sacred groves, community reserves and Joint Forest Management areas, not just more fenced-off parks.
  • This matches NCERT's view that local people must take part and that the real problem is keeping conservation going.

  • India's NBSAP 2024–2030 turns the 23 global targets into national actions across 23 ministries [1][2].

  • Gaps in reaching the target.

  • At sea: most of the ocean is high seas, so 30% marine protection depends on the High Seas Treaty working in practice.
  • Money: the US$ 200 billion a year under Target 19 depends on funds from rich countries. Disputes over money delayed COP16 until it resumed in Rome, 25–27 February 2025 [3].

  • Track record: the USA is outside the CBD, and most Aichi Targets were missed. Without proper monitoring, "30%" could become protection on paper only.

  • Quality, not just quantity. The target says "effectively" conserve. For India, this means connecting protected areas and OECMs, protecting wetlands and coasts, and protecting the rights of forest communities, so that the protected 30% actually supports species recovery [1].

Related concepts

Read more

Sources

  1. 1India launches updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at COP 16 to the CBD, in Colombia (PIB)pib.gov.in · tier 1
  2. 2Parliament Question: National Biodiversity Strategy (PIB)pib.gov.in · tier 1
  3. 3Countries to Resume Crucial Biodiversity Discussions in Rome, 25-27 February 2025 (CBD)cbd.int · tier 2