Overview
30by30 (Thirty by Thirty) is an international goal to
conserve and protect at least 30% of Earth's land and sea areas by 2030.
It was specified as Target 3 of the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" adopted at COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. It is the most important numerical target in the biodiversity field, comparable to the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target for climate change.
Theoretical Background
Scientific Basis
The discussion is based on concepts such as E.O. Wilson's "Half-Earth" proposal (protecting half the Earth). Many scientists have warned that "at least 30-50% of natural habitats on Earth must be preserved to prevent species extinction and maintain ecosystem services."
As of 2020, only about 17% of the world's land and about 8% of its oceans are protected, and radical transformation is needed to raise this to 30%.
Detailed Explanation
Japan's Achievement Status and Challenges
Japan's current status (as of 2023) is as follows:
- Land: About 20.8% (National Parks, etc., including OECM)
- Ocean: About 13.3%
An additional 10% on land and nearly 17% in the ocean need to be added, but in a small country, it is practically difficult to create more "strict off-limits protected areas (such as special protection zones in national parks)."
OECM (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures)
This is where
OECM (areas outside protected areas that contribute to biodiversity conservation) becomes key.
Even without legal protection, places where nature is effectively protected through private management—corporate forests, satoyama, shrine groves, golf course green spaces—are counted toward the "30%."
In Japan, the "Nature Coexistence Site" certification system has started as this OECM recognition system.
Critical Examination
Pursuit of Quantity Over Quality
There is concern that focus is only on achieving "30% area" while
"quality of biodiversity" is left behind.
Rather than padding the numbers by protecting areas with low development value and few creatures, such as deserts and ice-covered regions (Residual Protection), biodiversity-rich and endangered areas (hotspots) need to be prioritized.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Especially overseas (in developing countries), the COP15 agreement document strongly emphasizes ensuring that expansion of protected areas does not lead to exclusion or human rights violations of indigenous peoples who have lived on those lands.
What IKIMON Can Do
IKIMON is a
"platform for discovering and supporting OECMs" to achieve
30by30.
- Discovering the Hidden 30%: Identifying "hidden OECMs (corporate idle land or backyard mountains)" that are not yet recognized by the government but actually retain rich ecosystems through citizen posting data.
- Proving Quality: Creating the "species lists" needed for OECM certification, proving that a location is not just green space but a "high-quality habitat."
References
- CBD. Target 3: Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas.
- Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 30by30 Roadmap.
- Dinerstein, E., et al. (2019). A Global Deal for Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets. Science Advances.
