Significant progress has already been made on land. Around 20 percent of the world’s land and inland waters are now protected. If existing commitments are fulfilled, that share could rise to 27 percent by 2030. Marine protection, however, requires greater action: Only 3.5 percent of the world’s oceans are currently considered effectively protected. Even within designated protected areas, activities that harm nature are often still permitted.
Funding remains a central challenge. According to Campaign for Nature, achieving the 30×30 target will require $100 billion to $180 billion annually. Currently, only around $24 billion is available.
Germany and Foundations Provide Funding
An important signal came from New York last night (September 23, 2026): At the 30×30 Leaders Event, Germany’s Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider announced that Germany will contribute $100 million to the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF). The LLF is an independent international foundation established under German law by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and KfW Development Bank.
“Intact ecosystems act as a buffer against the impacts of the climate crisis. To secure the long-term future of these protected areas, Germany will contribute $100 million to the Legacy Landscapes Fund. Joining us are the Wyss Foundation and the Rob Walton Foundation – for a total of $300 million,” Environment Minister Schneider said in his speech last night. The Wyss Foundation and the Rob Walton Foundation are each contributing $100 million to the LLF.
Intact ecosystems act as a buffer against the impacts of the climate crisis. To secure the long-term future of these protected areas, Germany will contribute $100 million to the Legacy Landscapes Fund.
“We strongly welcome Germany’s contribution to protected areas in sub-Saharan Africa,” emphasizes Christof Schenck, executive director of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. “Together with the additional $200 million this has mobilized from the Rob Walton Foundation and the Wyss Foundation, these funds can secure permanent core funding for at least ten large protected areas of outstanding importance for biodiversity conservation and climate protection.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming Biodiversity Conference, COP17 in Armenia, the message is clear: There is real momentum behind efforts to protect nature worldwide – now it is time to follow through on existing commitments, close funding gaps, and secure effective protection for the long term.