IUCN South Africa country representative Vhalinavho Khavhagali. (@vhali/X)
The world is striving to protect 30% of the planet’s oceans, lands and freshwater by 2030. However, the 30×30 model may not be the best conservation model for South Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Africa Conservation Forum (ACF) in Nairobi, Kenya, Vhalinavho Khavhagali, IUCN South Africa country representative, said it would be “a delicate initiative” for South Africa to achieve 30×30 “simply because of its enormous investment and development in terms of biodiversity conservation, and also dealing with all the socioeconomic challenges”.
“I think an initiative like 30×30 can be misinterpreted and may not get proper support. But if it’s well understood, and people see the benefits in changing the tide of biodiversity loss, there’s a future in that.”
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