The 30 × 30 protection target: Attitudes of residents from seven countries
In 2022, 196 countries adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the ambitious 30×30 target to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. Before its adoption, researchers surveyed residents in Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Germany, Kenya, Mongolia and the United States to assess awareness and support for the target. Across all seven countries, strong majorities viewed 30×30 favorably and supported national commitments. As the only multi‑country survey conducted prior to the Framework’s signing, these results provide a critical baseline for monitoring global public opinion on biodiversity protection and informing future conservation policy.
Subject Tags
- Biodiversity
- Policy
Abstract
In December 2022, 196 countries adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Global Biodiversity Framework outlines four ambitious global goals and 23 targets for the world to address the loss of biodiversity and the more sustainable use of natural resources. One of those targets—Target 3—commits to achieving the protection of at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and of marine and coastal areas by 2030 (the “30 × 30 protection target”). This is one of the largest conservation commitments that countries around the world have made. Prior to the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework, a survey of residents in seven countries (Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Germany, Kenya, Mongolia and the USA) was conducted to understand their level of awareness and gauge their support for the 30 × 30 protection target. In the seven countries surveyed in late 2022, a strong majority of respondents in each country rated the target favorably and were likely to support their government making commitments on it. This survey is the only multi-country pre-Global Biodiversity Framework survey and provides a useful baseline to track changes in opinion on 30 × 30 over time.
Citation
Fitzsimons, J. A., Garrison, K., Finnegan, B., & Luby, I. (2025). The 30× 30 protection target: Attitudes of residents from seven countries. Sustainability, 17(8), 3444. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083444
TNC Authors
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James A. Fitzsimons
Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies
The Nature Conservancy
Email: jfitzsimons@tnc.org -
Kellyn Garrison
Senior Campaigns Advisor
The Nature Conservancy
Email: kgarrison@tnc.org -
Blinne Finnegan
Senior Campaigns Associate
The Nature Conservancy
Email: blinne.finnegan@tnc.org -
Ian Luby
Social Scientist I
The Nature Conservancy
Email: ian.luby@tnc.org