30 by 30 explained
30 by 30 is a global initiative aiming to ensure at least 30% of land and sea that is important for nature is safeguarded and effectively conserved and managed by 2030.
30 by 30 is a global initiative aiming to ensure at least 30% of land and sea that is important for nature is safeguarded and effectively conserved and managed by 2030.
At its heart this is about ensuring there is the space and conditions to allow nature to thrive. But it is also about recognising these places can deliver multiple additional benefits for society. Places that are great for nature can also help us address climate change by delivering flood protection, capturing carbon, supporting pollinating insects that are vital for food production, or deliver renewable energy. These areas can provide food and materials, recreation, enjoyment and huge benefits to our health and wellbeing.
30 by 30 is about recognising, celebrating, and supporting land management that does and will continue to deliver great long-term outcomes for nature and people. It will be achieved through a combination of new and existing Protected Areas as well a new approach called Nature30.
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Have you ever wondered what the future is for the conservation of our natural world? Here in Scotland, there may be a plan that is bringing together land managers with all sorts of views, ideas and expertise that could make a huge impact, not just on our environment, but also on how we work together for a common goal.
Achieving 30 by 30
30 by 30 presents an opportunity to improve our approach to area-based conservation. As outlined in the Framework for 30 by 30 in Scotland we need to ensure these areas are ecologically diverse, representative of all of Scotland’s habitats and ecosystems and are species-rich. They must support natural processes and be able to demonstrate resilience to negative pressures such as environmental changes driven by climate change and invasive non-native species. This means a shift in focus from preserving the state of an area as it was at a certain point in time, to a more forward-looking approach supporting biodiversity, and wider society to adapt to the changes ahead and to thrive.
We will adapt our approach to existing Protected Areas, learning from experience and ensuring they deliver their maximum value for nature. These will be complemented by Nature30 sites, which will safeguard similarly important areas for nature but just do it in a different way. Unlike Protected Areas, Nature30 sites will not have statutory protection, but instead will be subject to long-term assurances through other mechanisms, such as contractual agreements, title conditions or other commitments to be managed in such a way that they are important for biodiversity.
30 by 30 criteria
The basic needs of an area to be able to contribute towards 30 by 30 are simple and summarised below.
The area is of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services with sustainable use that is consistent with conservation objectives
- The area must demonstrate importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services and that this biodiversity value is not negatively impacted by use of the site.
Effectively conserved and managed
- The area should be able to demonstrate that the biodiversity value on site has long term protection and assurance of management.
Equitably governed
- The ownership or governance of the area has the mandate and capacity to manage the site to sustain the biodiversity value.
A collaborative approach
Work on 30 by 30 in Scotland, alongside Nature Networks, has been based on a collaborative and bottom-up approach.
See how our work to date has evolved to date, from the framework co-design workshops which saw over 300 people take part, to the development of our OECM criteria – turning the international criteria and guidance into Scotland approach by working with people on the ground to ensure it works for them.
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