By Annabel Koven, BSc Enviro Sci Cand (Brown)
Recently, a new term has been gaining prominence in the international conservation community: Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures or OECM. The movement has been largely propelled by Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which calls for the protection of 30% of the world’s ecosystems by 2030, commonly known as the 30×30 initiative. OECM and traditional conservation differ in their varying degrees of intentionality. While protected areas are specifically designated for conservation—such as national parks—OECMs can achieve effective biodiversity outcomes as a byproduct of their primary management objectives. Some typical examples of this are designated areas within university campuses and agricultural systems. Yet, to qualify as an OECM, an area must still meet specific biodiversity criteria, such as supporting high levels of ecological integrity or intactness. What distinguishes OECMs from their counterparts is their diverse governance structures, which may include Indigenous peoples, local communities, the private sector, and other stakeholders, reflecting a more inclusive and dynamic approach to conservation.
The movement owes much to Harry Jonas, Senior Director of the World Wildlife Fund, who recognized a significant gap in how conservation areas were measured. Drawing on his extensive experience in the conservation field, he played a pivotal role in defining and advancing the concept of OECMs. This ensured that effective conservation efforts outside traditional protected areas received the recognition they deserved. Jonas also serves as the co-chair of the IUCN WCPA Specialist Group on OECMs, which played a crucial role in shaping the success of the 2018 Convention on Biological Diversity. At this convention, global leaders officially established the guiding principles, common characteristics, and criteria for identifying OECMs. His contributions were formally recognized in 2022 when he was awarded the prestigious Biodiversity International Legal Specialist Award.
OECMs will continue to expand beyond their current 1% of the 30×30 goal, complementing traditional protected areas to create a more inclusive and effective global conservation network. Together, they play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity and fostering thriving ecosystems worldwide. The online accessible framework streamlines the process of identifying and recognizing OECMs, providing clear guidelines and criteria used to evaluate unique areas that contribute to conservation outcomes. Granted, there are some potential concerns associated with OECMs. One key risk is the infringement of Indigenous and local community rights, particularly if areas are designated without informed consent from those who govern or depend on the land. In fact, less than 2% of reported OECMs are governed by local communities or Indigenous peoples. However, the IUCN WCPA Specialist Group on OECMs plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that the framework is applied effectively. Approximately 2 million km² of freshwater, terrestrial, marine, and coastal have been designated as OECMs with over 800 sites reported to the World Database on OECMs from 2019 to 2023. OECMs are a vital component in building a sustainable future for ecosystems worldwide, promoting biodiversity conservation while fostering an inclusive and equitable approach to environmental stewardship.
References
“30X30: A Guide to Inclusive, Equitable and Effective Implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework | Publications | WWF.” A Guide to Inclusive, Equitable and Effective Implementation of Target 3, WWF and IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Aug. 2023, www.worldwildlife.org/publications/30×30-a-guide-to-inclusive-equitable-and-effective-implementation-of-target-3-of-the-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework.
“Effective Protected Areas.” IUCN, iucn.org/our-work/topic/effective-protected-areas.
“Harry Jonas | Experts | WWF.” Harry Jonas, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/experts/harry-jonas.
“IUCN WCPA Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures Specialist Group.” IUCN WCPA Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures Specialist Group, IUCN, iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-wcpa-other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-specialist.
Jonas, Harry D., et al. “Global status and emerging contribution of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) towards the ‘30×30’biodiversity Target 3.” Frontiers in Conservation Science 5 (2024): 1447434.
Jonas, Harry, Kathy MacKinnon, et al. “Site-Level Tool for Identifying Other OECMs.” Site-Level Tool for Identifying Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), IUCN, cookislands-data.sprep.org/system/files/Site-level%20tool%20for%20identifying%20OECMs%20-%20TCA%20assessment_final.pdf.
Jonas, Harry, Pete Wood, et al. “Guidance on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs).” IUCN Portal, IUCN, portals.iucn.org/. “OECMs: A New Paradigm for Area-Based Conservation | Stories | WWF.” OECMs: A New Paradigm for Area-Based Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/stories/