Background
A healthy Ocean is essential to global well-being, but urgent changes need to be made to Ocean protection and management to prevent irreversible declines. In addition to ecological and social harm, the global economy is highly exposed and vulnerable to ocean degradation. Improved ocean management and the development of sustainable ocean economies could increase human well-being, biodiversity protection and economic resilience.
Marine Protected and Conserved Areas (MPCAs) represent an important tool for Ocean management and the restoration of ocean biodiversity. This was recognised in 2022 when the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) made a bold commitment under Target 3 of the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to protect 30 per cent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030 (30×30). One hundred and sixteen member countries also made similar commitments through the High Ambition Coalition for People and Nature targets of collaborating to achieve 30 per cent protection by 2030.
Sufficient and durable finance is key to achieving and ensuring long-term effective management of marine 30×30 targets and MPCAs. However, given the current lack of suitable financial strategies, countries need clear guidance on how to approach them.
Objective
ORRAA are collaborating with Minderoo, along with a diverse, global group of partners, to empower national governments to develop these plans. The first step in this initiative is the publication of this Principles Paper.
The paper is aimed at government ministries and civil society partners, such as biodiversity finance practitioners.
Please also find a summary document of the Principles here.