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The Australian Government’s commitment to protecting 30% of our land and 30% of our oceans by 2030 (30 by 30 target) reflects national obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and in particular the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022. The implementation of a consistent, legally sound national framework to recognise OECMs can assist Australia in reaching this 30 by 30 target by recognising conservation efforts in areas where classification as a protected area is not feasible.
The recommendations in this submission ensure a strong, transparent framework to consistently recognise and monitor OECMs. A robust framework will not only contribute to the 30 by 30 target, but should also incentivise positive conservation outcomes.
