What does the 30×30 target (Target 2 and 3 of the GBF) mean for local governments?

Cities are on the frontline of responding to the adverse impacts of land degradation on their communities. Yet, cities are also hubs of innovation and solutions to such challenges. Cities play a critical role in upscaling actions that will transform the current consumptive and destructive development trajectory, to a more sustainable one in harmony with nature. As government institutions, local governments are more agile than national governments when it comes to developing and adopting new policy instruments and plans; and can do so more quickly and easily than their national counterparts because of their proximity to their communities. 

Subnational and local governments can introduce projects, programs and measures that are directed at implementing their commitments and contributing to one or more of the GBF targets. This will demonstrate their support to the successful implementation of NBSAPs, the GBF and the programs of work under the Convention on Biological Diversity. For example, actions taken at the local and subnational scales to restore degraded ecosystems, protect areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, and implement other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) can contribute to the achievement of the ‘30 x 30’ targets (Targets 2 and 3). The restoration of degraded ecosystems in cities is gaining traction under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, offering opportunities for sustainable job creation, food security and addressing climate change.