COP28: Act30 Initiative Launched

(Photo Credit: iucn.org)

At COP28 in Dubai, a transformative conservation initiative, Act30, has emerged, calling upon nations across the globe to join forces in safeguarding 30% of the Earth's land and water by 2030. This groundbreaking effort, jointly led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), and technology company Esri, seeks to address the critical gaps where only 15% of land and 7.4% of oceans are currently protected under official regulatory frameworks.

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The Act30 initiative sets forth a vision to bolster the 30x30 goal agreed upon under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, offering vital support to the 190 governments committed to this target. Through collaborative partnerships with nations, Act30 endeavors to translate the 30x30 global aspiration into practical national and local action plans, while upholding the rights of Indigenous communities.

Central to Act30's approach is the close collaboration with Indigenous peoples, drawing upon their governance expertise, Indigenous conservation practices, and traditional wisdom to forge inclusive and effective conservation solutions. Dr. Grethel Aguilar, the Director General of IUCN, underscores the pivotal role of integrating Indigenous knowledge in decision-making to address global challenges, positioning Act30 to elevate crucial conservation efforts aimed at preserving 30% of the Earth's lands and seas by 2030.

The initiative's commitment is further underscored by the formalization of the Podong Initiative, signed in Gland, Switzerland, on August 4, 2023, signifying the dedication of IUCN and IIFB to co-create and co-implement effective solutions for conservation. Leveraging the IUCN Green List Standard, a globally recognized quality benchmark for conservation, and Esri's cutting-edge geographic mapping tools, Act30 aims to precisely delineate impactful and ecologically representative areas, ensuring maximal and enduring benefits for nature, humanity, and biodiversity.

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David Gadsden, Esri's Director of Conservation Solutions, highlights the pivotal role of advanced location intelligence in shaping comprehensive conservation efforts, with Esri contributing state-of-the-art mapping and spatial analysis technologies in pursuit of the 30x30 target. This approach combines Indigenous ecological insights with Earth Observation data, aimed at realizing the ambitious 30% conservation goal globally.

Lucy Mulenkei, Co-chair of IIFB, emphasizes the transformative potential of Act 30, underlining the critical role of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and youth as the primary agents of change for biodiversity conservation. Mulenkei reiterates the pivotal role of collaborative partnerships, expressing optimism in fulfilling the Global Biodiversity Framework target through joint governmental engagement.

Starting in early 2024, discussions concerning Act30 will be held with fourteen priority countries to showcase leadership in adopting conservation best practices. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a union of government and civil society organizations, plays a crucial role in providing knowledge and tools to promote the coexistence of human progress, economic development, and nature conservation.

Established in 1948, IUCN has grown into the world's largest and most diverse environmental network, collaborating with over 1,400 member organizations and approximately 15,000 experts. Serving as a leading provider of conservation data, assessments, and analysis, IUCN's extensive membership allows it to serve as a repository of best practices, tools, and international standards. The organization provides a neutral space for various stakeholders to collaboratively devise and implement solutions to environmental challenges, ultimately striving for sustainable development. IUCN actively engages with partners and supporters, executing a diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide.

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In addition, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) is a collective comprising representatives from indigenous governments, indigenous non-governmental organizations, scholars, and activists. Operating within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other international environmental forums, IIFB plays a pivotal role in coordinating indigenous strategies and influencing governmental obligations to acknowledge and respect indigenous rights to knowledge and resources.

Meanwhile, Esri, a global leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, has been at the forefront since 1969. Leveraging geographic science and geospatial analytics, Esri supports customers in building a sustainable world through the application of science and technology.