Protected Planet Report 2024

The Protected Planet Report 2024 came out during COP16. Many developments that this report has identified have taken place since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at COP15 in 2022. Conserving 30 percent of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030 is one of the key goals of this framework, known as the 30×30 target.

Progress in protected areas

• Current protection levels are 17.6% of terrestrial and inland waters and 8.4% of marine areas.
• To meet the 30x30 target, double land and triple marine protection by 2030 is needed.
• 51 countries exceed the 30% protection target for land, and 31 meet it at sea.
• Over two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are partially protected, but only a quarter of ecoregions have over 30% protection.
• Inland water protection is limited, with 16.5% of wetlands and 18% of rivers and streams protected.
• Governance of protected areas is scarce, with only 0.22% of land and 0.001% of marine areas having governance assessments.

Challenges Ahead

• Implementing Target 3 requires more connectivity and effectiveness in protected areas, funding, stakeholder engagement, and pollution control.

Livestock and Soil Health

• Mixed farms with both livestock and crops store more soil organic carbon than arable-only farms.
• Mixed farms with cows and sheep have higher soil organic carbon levels than those with only crops.

Impact on Biodiversity and Community

• Mixed enterprise farms support greater plant diversity and support the National Farmers Union's goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040.