A new survey shows overwhelming support for the 30×30 biodiversity target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030. Conducted across eight countries—Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United States—the study found that 82% of respondents back the initiative.
Despite nearly 200 nations agreeing to the target in 2022, only 17.6% of land and 8.6% of seas are currently under protection, with many countries lagging behind. Political and economic concerns, such as restricted land access and halted resource extraction, have slowed progress.
The survey revealed the highest support in Brazil (90%) and Argentina (87.9%), while Sweden (66.3%) and the US (71.2%) were slightly lower. Respondents generally favoured equal domestic responsibility for conservation and believed richer nations should bear most of the costs.
Experts say the findings counter policymakers’ doubts about public interest in biodiversity protection. Susan Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society highlighted the global desire for governments to take strong action to conserve nature.
