The 30by30 goal

What is it, why 30%, and how are we progressing?

Marine Life on a Maerl Bed, Irish Sea

What is the 30by30 goal?

The 30by30 goal is the global commitment to protect and restore at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. It was adopted by almost every country through the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022, as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 3). 30by30 is often called “nature’s moonshot” – the most ambitious conservation target ever agreed – because it recognises that reversing biodiversity loss is essential for climate stability, food security, and human wellbeing.

In the UK, achieving 30by30 means ensuring that almost a third of our land and sea is effectively managed for nature’s recovery – not just designated on paper, but genuinely thriving with wildlife, restored habitats, and connected ecological corridors.

Why 30%?

Scientists agree that protecting and restoring around one-third of the planet’s ecosystems is the minimum needed to halt biodiversity loss and secure the natural systems. Below that threshold, ecosystems risk collapse; beyond it, we can begin to rebuild resilience and abundance.

30% is the scientific threshold of hope.

Both science-based and symbolic – a clear, measurable goal that unites governments, businesses, and citizens in the decade of restoration.

“The ambition to secure 30% of our land and sea for nature’s recovery by 2030 offers us the bold vision needed to reverse wildlife decline and improve all our lives.”

Sir David Attenborough

The UK has formally designated around 11% of land and 38% of seas for nature protection, according to government figures. However, designation alone does not guarantee that these places are effectively managed for wildlife. Many terrestrial protected areas remain in poor ecological condition, and most marine sites still allow damaging activities such as bottom trawling.

Independent assessments suggest that only a small fraction of these areas are genuinely delivering for nature, meaning the UK remains far from achieving an “effectively protected” 30% by 2030. Progress is uneven across the four nations, and improvements in monitoring, management, and funding are urgently needed to turn protection on paper into recovery in practice.

That’s why 30x30 UK exists — to help close the gap between ambition and action by mobilising businesses to back credible, measurable restoration efforts nationwide.