Pathways to 30 by 30

In order to increase ecological representation as required under Target 3, Australia must consider and define ecological targets for growth. Such targets may emphasise different pathways to get there.

For example:

• a target of protecting 10 per cent of each bioregion would result in 15.3 million hectares of the continent-wide target of 60.9 million hectares needing to be protected in our most under-represented bioregions.
• a target of protecting 20 per cent of each bioregion would result in 54.7 million hectares of the 60.9 million hectares needing to come from those bioregions which currently have less than 20 per cent protected.
• a target of protecting 30 per cent of each bioregion would require 102.8 million hectares protected, although such a target is not practical in bioregions that have substantially less than 30 per cent native vegetation cover remaining.

Currently under-represented bioregions support a range of land tenures and uses, including Indigenous tenure, pastoral leases and agriculture. Adequately increasing their protection will require the full suite of protection mechanisms, including land acquisition for national parks and privately protected areas, Indigenous protected areas and conservation covenants.

Additionally, some bioregions with greater than 30 per cent already protected may also require increases in protection by 2030, due to the need to protect areas of high conservation value, contain ecosystems that are poorly represented, have large intact landscapes, or enable connectivity.

There is an urgent need to correctly site – and then effectively manage – protected areas to ensure Target 3 is met. This includes building a protected area network that protects “areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and service” and that is “ecologically representative”.

Expanding the NRS will improve connectivity between fragmented habitats, facilitate the movement of species and safeguard genetic diversity. This interconnectedness supports the resilience of ecosystems against climate change, disturbance events, disease outbreaks, and invasive species.

Australia must rapidly increase ecosystem representation across the NRS through public, private and Indigenous protected areas – across state, territory and federal levels of government.