The COP30 conference, taking place in Belém, Brazil, is traditionally seen as the primary forum for addressing greenhouse gas emissions. However, in addition to climate goals, the protection of nature and biodiversity is also a key topic, including the restoration of protected areas, forests, oceans and wetlands. However, according to research by a scientific team from the University of Sydney, there is a fundamental silent problem: many nature conservation objectives are at risk due to „conservation abandonment“ — neglecting or completely abandoning already formally established initiatives.

Climate Dependency: More than just paper

Nature protection is inseparable from climate action. Forests, oceans and wetlands represent key carbon storage tanks, and if they are degraded or abandoned, significant capacity to capture emissions is lost, putting the achievement of climate goals at risk.

Scientists warn that unless conservation initiatives are managed with the same seriousness as climate action – that is, unless they are funded, monitored and evaluated – declared commitments to expand protected areas will remain only „on paper“. An example is Australia, where 38 times reduced protection status or changed status of protected areas, which affected more than million square kilometers This failure is a consequence of the fact that global recognition and funding for the effects of nature conservation tend to be too short-term.

Financial uncertainty and pressures on territories

The main challenge contributing to this „silent failure“ is financial sustainability. The authors emphasize that „Launching a project is just the beginning.“ Without stable financing and continuity mechanisms, management often stagnates or ceases to exist.

Another risk is political and legal uncertainty. Changes in government priorities and reduced legislative support can lead to a weakening of conservation measures. For example, although Australia has an extensive network of marine protected areas, in practice management and enforcement of the rules is often weak.

It makes the situation worse. insufficient monitoring and transparency. Without reliable data, it is difficult to assess whether protection is working or just „promise credits.“ Moreover, protected areas are facing increasing pressures from climate impacts (fires, droughts) and resource extraction. If protection is weakened, areas such as boreal forests, which are carbon sinks, can turn into sources of emissions.

Recommendations for COP30: From promises to action

It is critical at COP30 to take action to prevent the regression of existing conservation initiatives. Scientists recommend focus on the long-term sustainability of protection, not just for establishing new territories. This requires commitments that include stable financing, monitoring, management and participation of local communities.

It is also key increasing transparency – Public reporting on the status of conservation projects, funding and outputs, thus avoiding silent failure. Nature conservation must be fully integrated into climate goals, for example through carbon accounting, carbon markets or biodiversity credits. Protected areas must have a strong legal status, stable funding and clear sanctions for their degradation.

COP30 represents a moment to move from declarations to specific mechanisms, financing and transparent monitoring. Otherwise, there is a real risk that global biodiversity and climate goals will be jeopardized as protective frameworks slowly fade away. Nature conservation must not become just a running project, but continuous investment in climate stability. JRi