South Africa must ACT NOW to support the global goal for at least 30% protection of land and sea by 2030

Dear Minister Creecy,

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR BIODIVERSITY.

Under your leadership, South Africa has demonstrated its readiness to lead the way in global efforts to increase biodiversity conservation and tackle climate change, having made innovative and ground-breaking strides towards expanding and improving the management of our protected areas, both land and sea, and through issuing bold commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

This year South Africa has the opportunity to showcase its commitment and be a role model on the global stage, leading the way in halting and reversing the loss of nature and combatting climate change while charting a path to a resilient and prosperous future.

But only if we act NOW.

Around one million plant and animal species face extinction, and worldwide we’ve lost 60% of terrestrial wildlife and 90% of big ocean fish. Unless bold action is taken, our water, food, and medical sources are at grave risk. South Africa can drive that bold action.

The science is overwhelming: conserving at least 30% of the world’s land and sea can not only curb biodiversity loss but also help store carbon, prevent future pandemics, provide jobs, and bolster economic growth.

As one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world and an established advocate for increasing our own marine and terrestrial protected areas, South Africa can play a pivotal role in getting the 30x30 goal across the finish line at the upcoming UN Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations and in the final Global Biodiversity Framework to be agreed upon later this year.

If South Africa steps up and commits fully to the 30x30 global goal, our country can:

• Pave the way for more support across the continent and the global community
• Help guarantee the rights and knowledge of our people and local communities
• Drive increased funding for the Global South, and
• Ensure the new Global Biodiversity Framework is one that is inclusive and effective. 

Far from conflicting with economic development – in fact, expanding conservation offers us another avenue to pursue our government’s dream of a green and blue economy.  Nature holds the key to our employment crisis.

The 30x30 target is an inclusive conservation model that empowers people to live on their land while providing a mechanism for enriching their lives and economic opportunities that protects ecosystems. 

Minister Creecy, South Africa is already well on our way to contributing significantly to the global goal of protecting 30x30 – and we have valuable insights and knowledge on how protected areas can create inclusive growth – but it’s not enough.

The people of South Africa call on you to join the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and support Target 3 in the Global Biodiversity Framework and the inclusion of the 30x30 target in Geneva at the UN CBD negotiations.

We are already walking the walk – it's time we talk the talk and show the world South Africa is a forward-thinking environmental leader.

The People of South Africa

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - -   

People of South Africa, we need your URGENT ACTION please:

Place your name on this OPEN LETTER to Minister Creecy to show the leaders of South Africa how important it is to their people that they support the global goal for at least 30% protection of land & sea by 2030. 

For more information on the 30x30 NOW campaign, head to www.30x30now.co.za or follow the campaign here: 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/30x30NOW-107322468531253
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/30x30now
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/30x30NOW
• #30x30NOW