Nature study estimates conservation areas already cover 26.81 per cent of the world's land, near the 30 by 2030 target
14 October 2026
A study published in Nature on 14 October 2026 estimates that conservation areas likely already cover 26.81 per cent of the terrestrial realm.
Official global figures report coverage of 18.5 per cent.
The authors, led by Helen M. K. O'Neill, sampled 25 countries and territories using national datasets and extrapolated the result.
Under Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, governments committed to raise coverage to at least 30 per cent by 2030.
The count includes protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
The study warns the extra land does not substantially fill gaps in ecological representativeness, so meeting the area figure alone will do little to stop biodiversity loss.
In plain words
OECM Other effective area-based conservation measure — An area that conserves biodiversity without conservation being its primary purpose, often run by private owners or communities.
Global Biodiversity Framework Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework — The 2022 agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity setting biodiversity targets for 2030.