Perspectives on area-based conservation and its meaning for future biodiversity policy

Area of Science:

• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Policy

Background:

• Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are developing a post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
• Area-based conservation measures are a key aspect of this framework, with diverse perspectives on their implementation.
• Current perspectives often lack clarity on practical implications for biodiversity and human well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify diverse perspectives on area-based conservation measures within the evolving global biodiversity framework.
• To analyze how these perspectives relate to the CBD's 2050 Vision of "living in harmony with nature."

Main Methods:

• Literature review to identify different viewpoints on area-based conservation.
• Expert consultation workshops to gather insights and compile perspectives.
• Categorization of identified perspectives into four main groups: Aichi+, ambitious area-based conservation, new conservation, and whole-earth conservation.

Main Results:

• Identified four main groups of perspectives on area-based conservation: Aichi+, ambitious area-based conservation, new conservation, and whole-earth conservation.
• Found that while some perspectives (e.g., Aichi+ and whole-earth) may conflict, they also share commonalities.
• All identified perspectives contain elements that can inform the development and implementation of the post-2020 framework.

Conclusions:

• Diverse perspectives on area-based conservation offer valuable contributions to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
• Integrating these viewpoints can help achieve the goals of halting biodiversity loss, promoting sustainable use, and ensuring equitable benefit sharing.
• Understanding and reconciling differing outlooks is essential for realizing the CBD's 2050 Vision.