Published Date:
Close to 200 Countries Agree to Protect 30 Percent of the Planet by 2030,
a Target California Embraced in 2020
Sacramento - Governor Newsom and California leaders applauded a landmark global agreement reached today to protect nature and stem the loss of biodiversity worldwide. The signing of the agreement in Montreal on the last day of the United Nations’ COP 15 Conference is a 10-year agreement that sets targets in 22 areas, including protecting 30 percent of the planet by 2030.
“Two years ago, California made history as the first state in the nation to set a goal to conserve 30 percent of our beautiful land and coastal waters by 2030 – a model for global action to protect our planet,” said Governor Newsom. “With the agreement signed in Canada, the rest of the world joins our pledge in one of the most transformative moments of human progress we’ve witnessed in our lifetimes. On the heels of losing mountain lion P-22, who inspired us to redouble our efforts to protect California’s diverse species and habitats, we’re reminded more than ever how important this work is. Together, with the weight of the world now behind us, we will make this goal a reality so we can leave this world and its natural beauty better off for future generations.”
California established a first-in-the-nation 30×30 conservation goal in 2020 to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature and combat climate change through Governor Newsom’s nature-based solutions executive order. The California Natural Resources released a groundbreaking roadmap this fall to achieve 30x30 through voluntary, collaborative actions with the help of thousands of Californians and partner organizations.
California brought a robust delegation to Montreal for these negotiations, including California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and seven elected members of the California Legislature. California called for more ambitious action to safeguard the diversity of life on earth. More on the delegation’s activities on the international stage in Montreal is available here.
“California is proving we can protect nature through world-leading actions like 30x30,” said Crowfoot. “And COP 15 shows there is international momentum to collectively protect and restore nature and stem the crisis of extinction across the planet. We’re here to urge world leaders to translate talk into action.”
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