A groundbreaking international consensus has emerged supporting the ambitious global 30–30 biodiversity target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. This goal, embedded in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ratified at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), represents a pivotal commitment to halting ecosystem degradation and safeguarding the planet’s species from accelerating extinction. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the University of Gothenburg reveals unprecedented mass public approval for this transformative environmental target across multiple continents, underscoring its feasibility and international appeal.
The Kunming–Montreal Framework is widely regarded as one of the most significant environmental pacts since the Paris Agreement on climate change. Unlike previous global agreements, it specifically targets biodiversity conservation, integrating land, ocean, and freshwater habitats into a cohesive protection strategy. The 30–30 target mandates that an extensive network of protected areas cover approximately one-third of global territories and waters, thereby dramatically increasing current preservation efforts. This measure addresses critical ecological pressures by mitigating habitat loss, curtailing biodiversity decline, and enhancing ecosystem resilience amid the mounting impacts of climate change and human exploitation.
Scientists from the University of Gothenburg, led by political scientist Patrik Michaelsen along with colleagues Aksel Sundström and Sverker Jagers, embarked on an expansive survey to quantify public attitudes toward this ambitious target. The research encompassed over 12,000 respondents across a diverse set of eight countries spanning five continents, including Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, and the United States. This comprehensive sampling offers a robust cross-cultural examination of global perspectives on expanding nature protection, providing invaluable insights into social acceptance and potential challenges in implementing ambitious conservation policies.
The survey explored how citizens perceive the urgency and feasibility of increasing protected areas in their respective countries, each differing substantially in their current levels of nature conservation. For instance, Sweden currently preserves around 15 percent of its land, whereas nations like Argentina, India, and South Africa face daunting tasks requiring nearly a threefold expansion of protected territories to meet the 30 percent benchmark. This variance underscores not only ecological differences but also socio-political complexities surrounding land use, economic priorities, and conservation governance.
One of the most striking findings from the study is the overwhelming support for the 30–30 target despite respondents being informed of potential trade-offs, such as economic costs to specific sectors like agriculture. An impressive 82 percent of participants across all eight countries endorsed the goal of significantly expanding protected areas. Support levels varied, with Brazil exhibiting the highest approval at 90 percent, contrasting with Sweden’s comparatively lower, yet majority, support of 66 percent. These statistics reflect a powerful global willingness to prioritize biodiversity conservation even when faced with acknowledged costs or inconveniences.
Moreover, the research team integrated an experimental component to assess the influence of policy design on public support. The findings reveal that the modality of conservation policy profoundly impacts endorsement rates. In scenarios where wealthier nations assumed greater financial responsibility for biodiversity protection, support for international cooperation increased markedly, not just within affluent countries but also among respondents in less affluent nations. This highlights the importance of equitable cost-sharing and global solidarity in transcending national self-interest for the collective good.
Conversely, proposals featuring higher personal financial burdens, such as increased taxes, or approaches involving privatization of natural areas and restricted public access, significantly diminished support. These revelations emphasize that the success of conservation initiatives depends not only on the ecological imperative but also on transparent, fair, and inclusive governance frameworks that maintain public trust and equitable distribution of benefits and burdens.
Another dimension of the study examined public preferences regarding the prioritization of areas for protection. Across all societies surveyed, there was a clear preference for safeguarding regions of highest ecological value rather than areas prioritized for economic development or social convenience. This scientific valuation aligns with principles of conservation biology, advocating for the preservation of biodiversity hotspots, critical habitats, and areas essential for ecosystem services. Such preferences reinforce the legitimacy and urgency of protecting Earth’s most valuable natural assets to sustain planetary health.
The global survey exemplifies the increasing public awareness and concern about biodiversity loss and reflects a societal readiness to support tangible policy actions. Given the accelerating rates of species extinction and habitat degradation documented globally, this wide endorsement is critical for mobilizing political will and financial resources. It also provides a mandate for policymakers to implement and enforce the 30–30 target with confidence in public backing.
Importantly, this research highlights the emerging consensus that ambitious environmental agreements—once perceived as elite or abstract—have deep resonance with ordinary citizens worldwide. The alignment of public opinion with global biodiversity goals suggests promising prospects for enhanced cooperation, funding mechanisms, and innovative conservation strategies over the coming decade.
However, translating widespread support into effective conservation outcomes demands careful consideration of complex socioeconomic factors and commitment to international equity. The nuanced findings on policy design indicate that balancing conservation goals with economic interests and social inclusion is paramount to fostering sustained engagement. Recognizing diverse stakeholder concerns while focusing on areas of ecological significance will be essential in achieving durable and impactful protection.
In conclusion, this landmark study provides compelling empirical evidence that the global 30–30 biodiversity target enjoys broad-based public endorsement across continents and cultures. It validates the Kunming–Montreal Framework’s approach as both scientifically sound and socially palatable. As the international community navigates the challenging path toward 2030, this compelling public mandate offers renewed hope and impetus for scaling up conservation efforts to secure the planet’s biodiversity and ecological integrity for future generations.
The study stands as a clarion call to governments, conservationists, and global institutions to harness this momentum, implement fair, effective policies, and ensure that the goal of protecting one-third of Earth’s critical habitats becomes a reality rather than an aspirational ideal.
Subject of Research: Public support for the global 30–30 biodiversity target under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Article Title: Mass support for conserving 30% of the Earth by 2030: Experimental evidence from five continents
News Publication Date: 26-Aug-2025
Web References: DOI:10.1073/pnas.2503355122
References: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Keywords: biodiversity conservation, 30–30 target, global biodiversity framework, public opinion, protected areas, international cooperation, conservation policy design, ecosystem protection, species extinction, global survey
