Global biodiversity targets under intensified protection efforts
Only 0.23% of the Mediterranean is considered effectively protected. A recent assessment calls for rapid and stronger marine protection measures, referencing a complaint by Biodiversa+ that urges governments to accelerate the adoption of higher standards within the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity. This framework, endorsed by the United Nations at the biodiversity summit, sets a clear expectation for action and accountability.
At COP15, a historic agreement reached by 196 countries in the Canadian city of Montreal aimed to safeguard at least 30% of the planet’s biodiversity by 2030, with a target of 10% under strict protection. While the agreement marks a significant milestone, actual progress in the oceans remains well behind those ambitious goals, leaving seven years to close the gap.
Frédéric Lemaître, an expert from Biodiversa+, warned that just 1% of marine areas currently enjoy strict protection. Strict protection typically means prohibiting or tightly limiting human activities such as fishing, which is essential for restoring fragile ecosystems, yet difficult to achieve across vast and diverse maritime regions.
In the Mediterranean, scientists catalogued 1,062 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but these are only marginally representative of the basin. They cover roughly 6% of the Mediterranean region, and alarmingly, about 95% of the surface designated as protected still lacks rigorous standards to lessen human impact. The core aim remains clear: safeguard biodiversity and the health of the oceans.
Only 0.23% of the Mediterranean basin is truly protected. The analysis notes that MPAs are unevenly distributed across political borders and ecological regions, undermining their potential effectiveness.
Some natural heritage items are in grave danger, for instance the beluga sturgeon or the European hamster. Experts warn these species could disappear within our lifetimes, underscoring the urgency of stronger protection measures. Piero Visconti of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) underscored this risk during remarks.
Among policy options the European Union can pursue to halt biodiversity loss, experts highlight ecological corridors, ecosystem restoration covering 20% of areas, and the conservation of 30% of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, with strict protection of at least one third as advocated by the scientific community. The EU has often been a leader in ambitious protection initiatives and is frequently cited as a model for others to emulate, with notable successes such as the Iberian lynx recovery attributed to targeted local policies, European funding through Life projects, and the dedicated work of research stations in the Doñana region.
Visconti pointed out that member states should enable species movement by creating functional ecological corridors. These corridors would support both biodiversity and human needs, enhancing resilience to climate change and facilitating adaptation. In nature conservation, the emphasis is on quality as much as quantity, meaning the focus should not be simply on achieving a 30% target, but on identifying which 30% deserves protection most.
The overarching message remains: protect who and what matters most, rather than chasing a numeric goal. The science emphasizes selective protection informed by ecological significance, species vulnerability, and landscape integrity, rather than blanket designation alone. This is where careful planning and robust implementation meet real-world constraints.
In discussions about biodiversity policy, a practical outlook is essential. The aim is to align conservation with human well-being, creating landscapes where nature can thrive while communities sustain livelihoods. Effective strategies include cross-border coordination, targeted habitat restoration, and restoration of ecological connectivity that supports migrations and resilience in the face of climate pressures. The path forward requires concrete actions that translate research into tangible protection, with monitoring and adaptive management guiding continual improvements.
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Biodiversa+ and IIASA researchers contribute to the understanding that protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems requires a blend of strict protection, sustainable use, and strategic placement of protected areas. Their work emphasizes the need for measurable standards, transparent conservation benchmarks, and international cooperation to ensure protection is meaningful across borders and across ecosystems. The call remains for policies that balance conservation with the realities of coastal communities, fishing livelihoods, and regional economies, while keeping the spotlight on the health of the oceans and their immense biodiversity.
Note: The discussion reflects ongoing analyses and policy recommendations from leading environmental research and advocacy groups, underscoring the urgency of translating commitments into effective, verifiable protections that endure through changing conditions and political landscapes.