A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets

The Global Deal for Nature (GDN) is a time-bound, science-driven plan to save life on Earth. Pairing the GDN and the Paris Climate Agreement will be necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change, conserve species, and secure essential ecosystem services. New findings give urgency to this union: less than half of the terrestrial realm is intact yet conserving all native ecosystems—coupled with energy transition measures—will be required to remain below a 1.5° C rise in average global temperature. The GDN calls for 30% of Earth protected by 2030 and an additional 20% designated as climate stabilization areas. We highlight the 67% of the world’s ecoregions that can meet the 30% milestone, and where protection and restoration can be targeted to reduce extinction threats and carbon emissions. Freshwater and marine targets included here extend the GDN to all realms and provide a pathway to ensuring a more livable biosphere.