The potential of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures in Namibia

Abstract

As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Namibia is committed to global efforts aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), sets global biodiversity goals and targets for 2021-2030, addressing urgent biodiversity challenges, and guides international conservation and sustainable use efforts. Target 3 of KM-GBF aims to ensure that by 2030, at least 30% of terrestrial, inland/fresh waters, marine, and coastal areas are effectively conserved and managed (including areas crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem services). It emphasises recognising indigenous and traditional territories, integrating these areas into broader landscapes and seascapes, and ensuring sustainable use aligns with conservation outcomes while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. Despite having over 30% of its terrestrial area under some form of protection (when considering national parks, state forests, communal conservancies and community forests), several biomes and vegetation types in Namibia remain underrepresented. An ‘other effective area-based conservation measure’ (OECM) is a geographically defined area, distinct from a protected area, managed to achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for in-situ conservation of biodiversity. OECMs offer opportunities to recognise lands that deliver conservation outcomes, even when their primary use is not strictly for conservation. Recognising OECMs in Namibia, including freehold land that is currently not officially recognised to contribute to conservation efforts, could significantly enhance land conservation, leading to improved outcomes and helping achieve KM-GBF Target 3 in terms of representation and quality of management of terrestrial habitats.