COP17: Tracking progress towards the UN’s 2030 nature targets

Countries will meet in Armenia this month to carry out the first global review of progress towards meeting key nature targets by 2030. These targets – and the wider ambition to halt and reverse biodiversity loss around the world – were agreed in the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. But the ambitions will not be achieved in time for the 2030 deadline unless action “accelerates rapidly”, a key UN report found. It noted that nations are falling short on 22 of 23 nature targets, which focus on restoring ecosystems, increasing nature finance and reducing harmful subsidies. This report and other findings will inform the global progress review taking place at the COP17 biodiversity summit in Armenia over 19-30 October. The sections below summarise the report’s findings on where progress has – and has not – been made on each of the 23 targets. They also rank the extent to which countries have addressed each target on a national basis, using figures included in the report’s second draft but left out of the final version. Click on each target for more information. Key terms are defined throughout each section and in a glossary below. 1. Plan and manage areas for biodiversity Overall score 0.25 “Ensure that all areas are under participatory, integrated and biodiversity inclusive spatial planning and/or effective management processes…to bring the loss of areas of high biodiversity importance…close to zero by 2030, while respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities.” So far... 47% of countries have addressed at least half of the elements of the target. 49% of relevant national targets are on track or achieved. 50% of the way towards meeting the global target, according to key indicators. 44% of countries reported quantitative data on key indicators. Lack of progress “Major gaps” in integrating biodiversity into broader planning processes. Expanding implementation beyond protected areas. National targets often do not fully address integrated planning and participation requirements. Challenges include expanding implementation beyond protected areas. Good progress Developing “biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and management”. Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems Overall score 0.5 “Ensure that by 2030 at least 30% of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration…” So far... 56% of countries have addressed at least half of the elements of the target. 46% of relevant national targets are on track or achieved. 50% of the way towards meeting the global target, according to key indicators. 39% of countries reported quantitative data on key indicators. Lack of progress Restoration commitments and implementation “below” levels needed to meet target. “Less progress” in marine, coastal and freshwater areas than land.