11 October 2024
Key conservation groups have welcomed today’s release of the Government’s terrestrial roadmap to meet its target of protecting at least 30% of land by 2030 and are strengthening calls for increased federal funding for nature to now deliver the roadmap.
The National Roadmap for protecting and conserving 30 per cent of Australia’s land by 2030 was released today by Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek at ALCA’s annual Private Land Conservation conference (PLC24).
It affirms Australia’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which commits nations to protect at least 30% of their land and of 30% of oceans by 2030 (30 by 30) to halt the decline in nature and ensure a healthy future for people and wildlife.
To meet this ambitious target, Australia must conserve at least an additional 60 million hectares of land. However, without adequate investment, conservation groups warn the plan will fall short.
Dr James Fitzsimons, Senior Advisor Global Protection Strategies, The Nature Conservancy:
“Australia has been a leader in developing a protected area system on public, private and Indigenous lands over many years. The commitment to protecting 30% of our lands by 2030 is significant and welcome. Australia has all the tools to get there but a focused investment in those tools is urgently needed.
Science and policy experts suggest a dedicated $5 billion fund for the purchase of high biodiversity value land is needed to create new public, private and Indigenous protected areas. While the importance of land purchase as a conservation tool was recognised in the Roadmap, no funding has been committed.”
Dr Jody Gunn, CEO, Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA):
“We welcome the Government’s leadership in setting out its plan to protect 30% of nature on land by 2030, and particularly welcome the recognition of the significant opportunity to scale up the contribution of private land conservation to our national target. Thousands of landholders – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, farmers and conservationists are already protecting biodiversity on their land. With the appropriate funding and support, we know that these and more private landholders are ready and willing to help deliver a shared vision for Australia where nature and communities thrive.”
Jason Lyddieth, National Protected Areas Campaign Manager, Pew Charitable Trusts:
“It’s great to see an ambitious strategy that reaffirms Australia’s commitment to protect and conserve 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030. Now, it’s essential the plan is supported with substantial government funding.
Protecting at least 30% of our land by 2030 is a chance to prevent wildlife extinctions, mitigate climate change, and maintain our air and water quality, so that communities and future generations can prosper. Australian’s want to be assured of this – research conducted by the Biodiversity Council shows 95% of Australians support increased federal investment in nature.”
Dr Stuart Blanch, Senior Manager, Towards Two Billion Trees, WWF-Australia:
“This government has made a welcome pledge to protect 30% of Australia’s land, but has yet to deliver the funding needed to meet this commitment.
Australians are positive about nature, but as a country we have long been nature-negative. We are a deforestation front and a world leader in mammal extinctions. Nineteen major ecosystems are showing signs of collapse and iconic species like koalas are spiraling towards extinction.
We can turn this around, but it will take a dramatic increase in action and investment. Strong nature laws and billions in financing for protected areas are needed to regenerate Australia.”
Further Information:
Report: Australian nature in crisis due to lack of funding
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
Protecting Australia’s Nature: Pathways to protecting 30 per cent of land by 2030
The nature-based economy: How Australia’s prosperity depends on nature
Australia State of the Environment 2021 – Australia’s ecosystems