The Minister for Climate Change led a deep dive into Wales’ approach to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global Biodiversity Framework target, to protect at least 30% of the land and 30% of the sea by 2030.
The Biodiversity Deep Dive sought to develop a set of collective actions we can take immediately to support meaningful delivery of the 30 by 30 goal, recognising the capabilities we have in Wales, and reflecting our duties under the Wellbeing of Future Generations and Environment Acts.
There were eight recommendations.
In response to Recommendation 3: Unlock the potential of designated landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to deliver more for nature and 30 by 30, a Designated Landscapes Working Group has been formed.
The principal purpose of the group is to take forward and implement the action plan developed by the Designated Landscapes, NRW and Welsh Government.
The Designated Landscapes Working Group reports to the Core Biodiversity Deep Dive Group, which reports to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.
We are pleased to be able to publish the reports from the Biodiversity Deep Dive working groups, commissioned by Welsh Government. The reports set out collective actions to support nature recovery in Wales and contribute to delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target that at least 30 per cent of land, water and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed, equitably governed, and well-connected by 2030.
Publishing these reports provides an opportunity to recognise the hard work done by members of the groups to get the reports to this stage and it’s a pleasure to be able to share them.
As Chair of Tirweddau Cymru and a member of the Designated Landscapes Expert Group it is also very welcome to see the consensus on the importance of Wales’ Designated Landscapes for nature recovery.
As Designated Landscapes we will continue to meet and focus on our work to contribute to nature recovery and the 30 by 30 target. Alongside our contribution, Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) will have an important role to play in nature recovery and achieving the 30 by 30 target in Wales.
OECMs are areas that fall outside of Designated Landscapes and we look forward to working with the OECM Expert Group as they work to identify and report on OECMs.
The IUCN has published a tool for identifying OECMs, which can be found here:
Each expert group has produced an initial recommendation report.
We will email updates from the Group after each meeting. You can sign up to receive them directly here.
Group meeting 28th August 2025