Blue Nature Alliance aims to restore 18 million km² of ocean
The Blue Nature Alliance is an ambitious global partnership that collaborates with governments, NGOs, Indigenous peoples, and scientists to advance effective large-scale ocean conservation aiming at protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Research suggests protecting at least 30% of the ocean is required to maintain biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
The current target under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to protect 10% of the ocean by 2020 will not deliver the environmental benefits necessary to meet the objectives set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, or sustain ecosystems that provide essential services contributing to health, livelihoods and wellbeing.
According to the Marine Protection Atlas, around 7% of global oceans have been designated as protected areas, but only 2.7% is considered "fully protected."
30% by 2030
The Blue Nature Alliance engages locally in new and existing ocean conservation areas. These efforts build on the momentum required to achieve the global target of conserving at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. And sustainably managing the rest to safeguard the ocean’s biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, and enhance the function and connectivity of the ecosystem.
A collaboration between Conservation International and other environmental and social non-profits—including The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Global Environment Facility, Minderoo Foundation, and the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation—the Blue Nature Alliance has raised $125 million to protect the ocean from these threats, CCN reports.
The Blue Nature Alliance is currently working with governments and other partners on large-scale efforts in Fiji’s Lau Seascape, Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, and Tristan da Cunha to collectively secure protections for over 4.8 million square kilometres (1.9 million square miles) of the ocean.
The Alliance will soon engage in efforts in Canada, Palau, Seychelles, and the Western Indian Ocean. This will aim to strengthen and enhance the protection of nearly two million square kilometres (734,000 square miles) of the ocean. A pipeline of 18 additional Blue Nature Alliance engagements has been identified across North and South America, Europe, and the Asian Pacific region. The Blue Nature Alliance will announce the next round of locations in summer 2021.
