National-Level Costs of Implementing 30x30 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Meeting Countries Biodiversity Goals

This study estimates the national-level costs of implementing Target 3 of the Kunming Montreal GBF (“30x30”) in 26 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Using scenario-based modeling, it quantifies three categories of costs associated with expanding terrestrial and marine protected and conserved areas to 30 percent coverage: (i) establishment costs, (ii) recurrent management costs, and (iii) opportunity costs linked to foregone economic activities, particularly in agriculture and fisheries.

Results indicate that terrestrial establishment and management costs dominate total expenditures, while marine establishment costs are comparatively low. Opportunity costs are heterogeneous across countries and sectors, with marine fisheries experiencing short-term losses followed by medium- to long-term gains from stock recovery. The analysis highlights key policy trade-offs between biodiversity priorities and economic considerations, and provides evidence to support fiscal planning, concessional finance, and international cooperation aimed at achieving biodiversity targets while minimizing economic disruption.