Protected areas are essential for global biodiversity conservation, with international targets now aiming to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. However, previous goals were not fully met, in part due to inconsistencies in how countries define and report conservation data. Asia, despite its ecological richness and high biodiversity, has faced challenges in meeting these goals. The region suffers from underrepresentation in global conservation data, low connectivity between protected areas, and limited assessments of management effectiveness.
Asia’s conservation performance is further strained by rapid development, population growth, and infrastructure expansion, particularly through initiatives like China’s Belt and Road. These pressures contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation, threatening many species. Yet many community-based and traditional conservation efforts remain unrecognized in global statistics, skewing perceptions of Asia’s progress.
By adapting global conservation frameworks to fit Asia’s unique context, the region can still make meaningful progress toward biodiversity goals and long-term ecological resilience.
