Why Protecting Nature Is Essential for Global Economic Resilience

Meeting internationally agreed conservation targets could add up to $450 billion to annual global gross domestic product by 2050, project-syndicate.org reported. Amid geopolitical turmoil and fiscal tightening prompted by wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, governments face pressure to prioritize defense and short-term economic growth over environmental protection.

Financing Nature to Protect Global GDP

Over half of global GDP depends on nature and the services it provides. Healthy soils underpin a $9.5 trillion global food industry, while forests support 1.5 billion livelihoods worldwide. Meanwhile, healthy rivers help absorb floodwaters and sustain vital transportation networks.

Scientists predict that a partial collapse of ecosystems could cost the global economy $2.7 trillion annually. Delivering the global 30×30 target—which aims to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030—will require approximately $100–180 billion annually, compared with current spending of $24 billion.

Assessing Progress on Land and Ocean Targets

The 30×30 goal was adopted by governments in 2022 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. New analysis from the Campaign for Nature shows that 20% of land and inland waters are now designated as protected or conserved, and fully delivering on existing commitments could increase this share to approximately 27% by 2030.

Progress at sea lags significantly behind land targets. Only 10% of the ocean is formally designated for conservation, with existing commitments pushing that figure to just 12% by 2030. In addition, the most recent Ocean Protection Gap Report from Together for the Ocean reveals that genuine, effective protection covers a mere 3.5% of the sea, as destructive practices persist within numerous designated zones.

Translating Commitments Into Mapped Action Plans

Up to May 2026, pledges targeting the conservation of 27% of land and inland waters had been filed by 116 nations. Many nations have yet to follow up those pledges with mapped, costed, and financed plans.

Achieving the 30×30 target could support an estimated 4–7 million jobs alongside the $450 billion boost to annual global GDP by 2050. Governments must secure long-term funding arrangements that endure through shifting economic and political cycles to ensure protected areas deliver real biodiversity benefits.