VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

G7 Agrees to champion the global ‘30x30’ target to conserve or protect 30% of Oceans & Land by 2030 - 

Oceans cover over 70% of our planet and produce at least 50% of our planets oxygen. Unfortunately, climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution and more is challenging this incredible natural resource. Globally – 50% of coral reefs have already been destroyed, 90% of big fish populations depleted.

The global ‘30x30’ target is to conserve or protect at least 30% of the world’s land and at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. In a successful meeting of the G7 Climate and Environment ministers at the end of last week, all members agreed to champion the ‘30by30’ target, and committed to delivering ‘30x30’ domestically.

On World Ocean Day yesterday (8th June 2021), countries from all four corners of the world - from India to Guyana, South Korea to Austria have pledged to support the ‘30by30’ commitment which is being championed by the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, co-chaired by the UK, Costa Rica and France.

UK Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said that 

“The UK is a global leader in marine protection, and we are leading the way internationally to deliver healthy and sustainable seas. We must strike a balance in supporting sustainable industries while increasing protections for our seas to ensure a healthy, resilient and diverse marine ecosystem and we will work with others as we develop future protections.” 

The UK has also launched plans to increase protections for England’s waters through a pilot scheme to designate marine sites in England as “Highly Protected Marine Areas”.

The selected sites would see a ban on all activities that could have a damaging effect on wildlife or marine habitats. A scientific review found that Highly Protected Marine Areas play an important role in helping the wider marine ecosystem recover.

Blue Planet and the ‘Attenborough effect’, ‘Seaspiracy’ and more have had a powerful effect on how people worldwide feel about oceans. The results of the largest ever survey in England and Wales on public attitudes to our oceans found that 85% of people consider marine protection personally important to them.

Of those who had visited our coastlines last year, 80% said it was good for their physical health and 84% said it was good for their mental health.

The findings also show that when asked about the greatest threats to the marine environment, participants were most concerned about pollution, with overfishing, climate change and loss of marine habitats also ranking highly.

The UK has also further advanced its role as a global leader in ocean protection by moving to full membership of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA). 

The Alliance brings together the financial sector, governments, non-profit organisations to pioneer innovative ways of driving investment into critical ecosystems like reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, wetlands and beaches that provide the nature-based-solutions to build resilience against climate change. 

Meanwhile, Owen Jenkins, British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste said that 

Indonesia has incredible marine and ocean life, and the highest coral reef fish diversity of the world. About 54% of Indonesia's animal protein supply comes from fish and seafood. And Indonesia supplies about 10% of global marine commodities. Millions of Indonesians rely on the ocean for food, livelihoods and pleasure.

Indonesia has demonstrated leadership on marine issues, for example by hosting the Our Oceans conference in 2018, and by creating the Archipelagic and Island States Forum, of which the UK is proud to be a member. That work has shown the difference Indonesia makes when it brings that leadership, knowledge, expertise and experience to the table in these global discussions. I would love them to do the same and consider signing up to the ‘30by30’ global pledge. Looking after our vital ocean resources will mean they are made safe for future generations to enjoy//Release - VOI