In October, Julie James the Minister for Climate Change presented the conclusion of the Welsh Biodiversity Deep Dive.  This initiative brought together a group of key experts and practitioners to develop a set of collective actions that can be taken in Wales to support natures recovery. The 30×30 target was chosen as a strategic focus for the purpose of the deep dive to consider where and how action could be accelerated. 30×30 refers to protecting and effectively managing at least 30% of our land freshwater and sea for nature by 2030. It is one of a number of targets which form part of a new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to be agreed at COP15 this year.

Dr Katie Medcalf, Environment Director at Environment Systems, contributed to the Deep Dive by providing expert advice on biodiversity and the benefits and the pressures that endanger it. Dr Medcalf has provided her expertise to the Welsh Government and Natural Resource Wales for over 19 years.

Below is a summary of the agreed collective action, with links to further details on the Welsh Government site at gov.wales

1. Transform the protected sites series so that it is better, bigger, and more effectively connected

2. Create a framework to recognise Nature Recovery Exemplar Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) that deliver biodiversity outcomes

3. Unlock the potential of designated landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to deliver more for nature and 30 by 30

4. Continue to reform land and marine management and planning (including spatial) to deliver more for both protected sites and wider land / seascapes

5. Build a strong foundation for future delivery through capacity building, behaviour change, awareness raising and skills development

6. Unlock public and private finance to deliver for nature at far greater scale and pace

7. Develop and adapt monitoring and evidence frameworks to measure progress towards the 30×30 target and guide prioritisation of action

8. Embed Nature Recovery in policy and strategy in public bodies in Wales