Can protecting 30 percent of the planet's surface reverse biodiversity loss?

Nature · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Marine ecologist Enric Sala witnessed lush oceanscapes turn into underwater deserts during the 1970s. However, he also saw nature's capacity to rejuvenate when left alone. Now, a massive global initiative aims to protect 30 percent of the Earth's surface and ocean floor by 2030 to restore our planet.

The '30x30' campaign aims to preserve 30 percent of the world's land and seabed by 2030. Announced in late 2022 through collaboration between scientists, governments, and the United Nations, the plan seeks to safeguard biodiversity and ensure healthy food stocks for millions of people. To achieve this, the initiative requires a shift from the current 'siloed' approach used by individual nations toward a more holistic method of ocean governance. This ambitious strategy was established to protect food supplies for millions of humans. It requires moving away from fragmented national efforts.

The scale of this undertaking is immense. Securing 30 percent of our oceans requires shielding 108 million square kilometers (41 million square miles)—a total matching Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America together. To illustrate, this matches the Pacific Ocean's expanse, which covers over 155 million square kilometers (60 million square miles). Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that only 8 percent of the global ocean is protected within marine protected areas. This vast area is roughly equivalent to the size of the entire Pacific Ocean. Such a massive undertaking is necessary to combat current environmental degradation.

These existing protected zones use various restrictions on human activities, such as fishing, mining, farming, and recreation, to sustain biodiversity. The 30x30 goal is unique because it involves nearly 200 nations, meaning the conservation efforts must extend beyond individual national jurisdictions. This movement aims to combat various human-driven causes of biodiversity loss, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of invasive species, by implementing stronger monitoring mechanisms and legal protections across the high seas. Dr. Kilaparti Ramakrishna notes that the involvement of nearly 200 nations makes this effort unprecedented. This global cooperation is essential for effective high-seas management.

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