Creating a Nature-Positive Future: The contribution of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

This publication outlines the importance of Protected Areas (PAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in achieving a nature-positive future, as envisioned in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. It emphasizes the need to increase coverage, prioritize representativeness and connectivity, and ensure effective management and equitable governance of these areas. Additionally, recognizing and integrating Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' territories, lands, and waters is highlighted as crucial. It also highlights the diverse benefits provided by PAs and OECMs, including biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, disaster risk reduction, water security, food security, and economic benefits. It calls for embedding area-based conservation into national policies and decision-making frameworks to address the biodiversity crisis effectively. Finally, it underscores the importance of a rights-based approach and collective efforts to achieve transformative changes necessary for a nature-positive future by 2050.