With civil society, government, business and communities working together on a whole-of-society approach, South Africa could show the way to achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – but only if it increases its domestic ambition.

This was the core message from South African civil society during the final G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Technical and Ministerial Meetings in Cape Town this week.

At side events during the ECSWG meetings, participants heard how more ambitious domestic biodiversity targets, aligned with the South African National Parks’ 2040 Vision, could unlock significant international funding through a variety of innovative funding mechanisms to achieve these goals.

With its complex history and socio-economic challenges, South Africa has already shown itself a world leader in adopting more inclusive and innovative approaches to conservation by promoting a stewardship model. This aligns with the SANParks’ Vision 2040 which  places people at the centre of conservation, recognising people as the primary custodians of their land and its biodiversity.

Over the past 20 years, more than 95% of all new protected areas (some 2,5 million hectares) have come about through biodiversity stewardship mechanisms which incentivise communal and private landowners to protect biodiversity while they continue to live and thrive on their land.

South Africa’s draft Biodiversity Economy Strategy also provides a roadmap for conserving biodiversity while contributing to economic growth and job creation through the promotion of sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.

Why this matters now

South Africa is currently in the process of setting targets for its third National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) for the next 10 years (2025 to 2035).

A key component of the NBSAP will be South Africa’s national contribution towards Target 3 of the GBF, which sets out a global ambition to conserve 30% of land, waters and seas.

The level of South Africa’s ambition will be a key factor in determining how competitive South Africa will be in attracting additional international and national finances to bolster strained government budgets.

This is therefore a critical juncture to build an ambitious, people-centred, whole-of-society approach, with government, the private sector, and civil society working together for the benefit of people and nature.

A whole-of-society approach

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE),  sources the current baseline of terrestrial protected and conserved areas is around 20.6 million hectares (close to 17% of South Africa’s land surface).

In an effort to engender a whole-of-society approach towards setting an ambitious and realistic contribution to the GBF Target 3 in the NBSAP, NGOs working under the banner of the IUCN National Committee assembled data on existing funded project contributions (secured funding) as well as planned contributions (unsecured but in the process of fundraising).

WWF CEO Dr Morné du Plessis said: “Vision 2040 challenges us to rethink conservation, not as something separate from society but something deeply embedded in it. Civil society stands ready to support this journey. We believe with the right ambition, leadership and partnerships, South Africa can show the world what people-centred conservation truly looks like.”

More about the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)

• South Africa is among 200 countries to have committed to a 30x30 target, a key part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to protect 30% of Earth's land, rivers and oceans by 2030. This global agreement, adopted in December 2022, sets the framework for countries to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and ensure the healthy functioning of vital ecosystems.  
• Article 3 of the GBF reads: “Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognising indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognising and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories.”