More about the Specialist Group

Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework from the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) proposes an increase in protected and conserved areas to 30% of land and ocean by 2030 (30x30). A key aspect of this ambitious target is that we can’t just focus on the quantity of protected and conserved areas (PAs & OECMs), but also have to ensure quality – that we are developing systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures that “are effectively conserved and managed”.

The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is a global network of over 2500 members spanning 140 countries whose mission is to develop and provide scientific, technical and policy advice and advocate for global and national systems of marine, freshwater and terrestrial protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) that result in successful outcomes for the conservation of biodiversity, based on principles of sound design, good management and equitable governance. As such, WCPA is uniquely positioned to help the global community ensure that the PAs and OECMs in the 30x30 target are effectively and equitably managed.

To this end, WCPA’s initiative is designed to ensure that the global push towards 30x30 includes a credible and practical definition of conservation effectiveness and to provide the global community with the guidance and tools to operationalise and measure effectiveness. The Initiative will help WCPA deliver on its key role to provide quality assurance for 30x30. The four specific strategies of this Initiative are:

1. Develop a Framework to Assess and Report Effectiveness / Outcomes – Compile existing thinking and the experiences of protected and conserved area managers in key countries to develop a draft framework to assess and report on effectiveness including outcomes.
2. Apply the Framework to Pilot Countries – Work with protected and conserved area system managers in several countries to test and adapt this framework. This work will start with champion countries in Latin America and then expand to other regions of the world.
3. Initiate a process of collaboration for Framework Adoption – Develop alliances and collaboration with key actors to promote adoption of this framework. 
4. Support Implementation of this Framework at a Global Scale – Work to promote adoption and implementation of this framework around the world through the WCPA network. 

These four strategies will act together to contribute to improving the assessment and reporting on the effectiveness of Systems of PAs and OECMs in terms of delivering conservation outcomes (integrating across scales). This in turn will help key actors to make better decisions on the management of PAs and OECMs. 

For More Information or to Join this Work: paola@fosonline.org and nick@fosonline.org

Relationship between the Green List Standard and Management Effectiveness Specialist Group and Defining and Measuring Conservation Effectiveness / Outcomes Task Force:

Specialist Groups are permanent groups within WCPA, established by the Chair to address priority topics within the conservation space. Task Forces are temporary groups with a fixed term, established by the Chair to address time-sensitive issues and important opportunities for the Commission and protected and conserved areas. 

Hopefully the lessons learned by the Task Force will be shared with the Green List Specialist Group and incorporated into the Green List standard as appropriate.