WRI and the GEF to host new Secretariat for the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People

The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (the Coalition) announced today the formation of a new permanent Secretariat to be co-hosted by World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Global Environment Facility.

Officially launched at the One Planet Summit in Paris in 2021, the Coalition is an intergovernmental group of 116 countries co-chaired by Costa Rica and France and by the United Kingdom as Ocean co-chair. Under the new Secretariat, the Coalition will lead a historic effort to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean by the year 2030 (“30x30”).

Currently, protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) cover about 17 percent of all land and a bit more than 8 percent of the ocean. With the formal agreement at COP15 to protect and conserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030, the world now needs to double its land protections and more than quadruple current ocean protections by the end of the decade.

As the Coalition prepares to embark on its second phase, the Secretariat will sustain political engagement and commitment to the 30x30 target; support capacity building and knowledge sharing for country implementation; and map, match, and mobilize financial resources and technical assistance to support country implementation efforts.

“To protect at least 30 percent of the planet’s land and 30 percent of its seas by 2030, HAC members have collectively committed to create an operational tool to support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, especially the '30x30' target. With seven years left, we are sending a strong message saying that we are ready to work all together to reach this goal” said Christophe Béchu, French Minister of State in charge of Ecology.

“The Coalition will assume a key role in the implementation of the 30x30 target. This is the commitment of our 116 countries and the minimum required scientific measure to stop the loss of biodiversity and climate change,” said Franz Tattenbach, Costa Rica Minister of Environment and Energy. “The support and commitment of the GEF and WRI, as co-hosts of our coalition in this implementation phase, will contribute to increase and maintain the political momentum around the protection of 30 percent of the land and oceans, as well as to carry out activities to support the countries in achieving this global target.”

“It’s fantastic to see the work on HAC 2.0 coming to fruition. The HAC 2.0 will be an absolutely critical mechanism to support the implementation phase, and we are so grateful that we will have the support, knowledge and experience of the GEF and WRI as hosts, as well as the amazing support from philanthropies and member countries” said Lord Goldsmith, UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Since its inception, the High Ambition Coalition has increased political ambition toward halting the accelerating loss of species and protecting vital ecosystems that are the source of the world’s economic security. As the Coalition moves into its implementation phase, it will continue to support countries in establishing and managing new protected or conserved areas, as well as other effective conservation measures.

The Coalition is also committed to continuing its support for the inclusion, participation, and partnership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including the promotion of their leadership in conservation. Their traditional lifestyles embody the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

“The direction of travel begun by the High Ambition Coalition is absolutely the correct one and I am so pleased to see more countries chart their pathway to meet these crucial goals. The Global Environment Facility is delighted to co-host the Coalition Secretariat and support its continued growth in pursuit of meaningful change for the world’s wildlife and wild spaces,” said GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodriguez.

“In Montreal, world leaders took the ambitious step of recognizing that we must conserve 30 percent of land and ocean this decade to stem the biodiversity and climate crises,” said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO, World Resources Institute. “Any successful path towards reaching this goal to protect and restore nature will require countries to work together, especially with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. It is a privilege for WRI to serve as co-Secretariat of the High Ambition Coalition to help countries follow through on their biodiversity commitments and implement effective, equitable change for people, climate, and nature.”

About the Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility is the world’s largest funder of biodiversity protection, nature restoration, and climate change response in developing countries. It is the financial mechanism of international conventions including the Convention of Biological Diversity and supports country-driven initiatives that generate global benefits. The GEF connects 184 governments with civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector, and works with other environmental financiers for efficiency and impact. To date, the GEF has provided more than $22 billion in grants and blended finance and mobilized $120 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 national and regional projects.

About World Resources Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization with offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, and regional offices for Africa and Europe. Our 1,700 staff work with partners to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and ensure nature can thrive. Learn more: WRI.org and on Twitter @WorldResources.