Protected Habitat Has Grown From 4 to 18 Million Square Kilometres Since 1970

According to the United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) report in May 2010 the area of nationally designated protected nature areas has grown considerably since 1970.

In 1970 the total was just over 4 million square kilometres, whereas by the end of the report period it had grown to over 18 million square kilometres:

Source: cbd.int/gbo3/

By the time of the later GB04 report, the UNEP-WCMC was showing that at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas are on track to be conserved.

The UNEP-WCMC was also tracking as one of its goals that the Nagoya Protocol on biodiversity would be signed and ratified, which it has been by 58 states and the EU. By helping to ensure benefit-sharing, the Protocol creates incentives to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources, and therefore enhances the contribution of biodiversity to development and human well-being.