Global biodiversity conservation goal may be closer than official data suggests

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that humanity may be closer to achieving the global biodiversity conservation goal of protecting 30% of the planet's land and oceans by 2030 than official statistics indicate.

While official data reports that only 18.5% of the Earth's land surface is currently under conservation, an international team of researchers, led by the University of Kent, estimates the actual figure could be as high as 26.8%. The researchers arrived at this conclusion by combining global data with national information regarding conservation areas.

Lead author Helen O’Neill noted that while the 30% terrestrial target appeared impossible with only four years remaining, the analysis suggests much more land is under some form of conservation than is currently recognized. However, researchers warned that simply designating areas is insufficient. Co-author Heather Bingham emphasized that for the goal to be effective, these zones must be managed efficiently and placed in locations where they can have the greatest impact on biodiversity.