World nears 30% land protection goal, but gaps remain

Countries are moving closer to a major global target: protecting 30% of the world's land. The goal is part of an international agreement to safeguard nature and slow the loss of wildlife and ecosystems. Current data suggests the world is now within reach of this threshold, though the exact figure and the quality of protection vary by region. Some areas are counted as protected even when enforcement is weak or funding is limited. The 30% target — often called "30x30" — was set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an agreement adopted in 2022. It calls on nations to conserve at least 30% of land and 30% of oceans by 2030. Experts say reaching the number is only the first step. The harder task is making sure protected areas are well managed and actually support biodiversity, rather than existing only on paper. Officials are expected to review national progress in the coming months, as countries submit updated plans for meeting their conservation commitments.