The '30 by 30' Framework Sets an Ambitious Goal for Nature Conservation

California State Legislature committee approved AB 3030 in May, adopting a plan to save 30% of land and sea from development by the year 2030. The Convention on Biological Diversity is likely to follow in adopting the 30 by 30 framework.

1 minute read

June 1, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By Lee Flannery @leecflannery


Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Tom Reichner / Shutterstock

Last year, an international group of scientists published an article in Science Advances proposing a "Global Deal for Nature," a plan to save biodiversity by protecting nearly 30% of the world's waters and lands by 2030. "They wrote that setting aside nearly one-third of the planet from human development could avert 'points of no return' for many species and ecosystems," reports Sammy Roth. The Convention on Biological Diversity is expected to adopt the preventative plan.

Roth reflects: "You may have heard the statistic that the U.S. loses a football field’s worth of nature every 30 seconds. The data point can start to sound meaningless if you hear it too often, but stop and think about it. Every 30 seconds? That’s astounding." California's recently Assembly Bill 3030 cites the statistic and sets state-wide legislation adopting the framework. 

Global Deal for Nature authors consider the "30 by 30" goal as a starting point, hoping to extend the effort to 50% by 2050.

 
 
 

Thursday, May 21, 2020 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Close-up of person putting sticker on back of basket of electric tricycle with mock license plate reading "E-TRIKE."

Bicycles and Books — In Sacramento, Libraries Now Offer Both

Adult library card holders can check out e-bikes and e-trikes for up to one week.

15 minutes ago - The Sacramento Bee

Large pile of unsorted garbage in landfill with birds flying above at sunrise or sunset.

Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars

Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.

1 hour ago - Colorado Newsline

Three young people sitting at a table at outdoor restaurant, one has Apple laptop open.

Tulsa Paid Remote Workers $10,000 to Move In — Nearly All of Them Stayed

The Tulsa Remote program generated more than $4 in local economic benefits for every dollar spent.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.