Conservation abandonment is a policy blind spot

Εnvironmental protection is gaining momentum, and funding for protection and conservation programs is increasing.

However, a new study by M. Clark, T. Pienkowski et al. identifies a specific problem with environmental programs: their short lifespan. Despite collective pressure for environmental initiatives, little attention is paid to ensuring that these initiatives survive over time and produce long-term results. According to the published research, about one-third of ecological programs are abandoned a few years after their launch, undermining ecological efforts, as recovery of the natural landscape can take decades to become apparent. The authors note that organizations, NGOs, local authorities, and governments often either formally overturn protective policies or informally abandon programs and initiatives. In the latter case, programs usually remain “on paper,” giving a distorted picture of ecological success or green policy.

As C. Cook, a member of the writing team, points out “We’re racing to meet global goals like protecting 30 percent of land and sea by 2030.“But no one’s asking whether the parks we’ve established are still being managed – or even exist in any meaningful way.”

In this context, effective monitoring of environmental policies and programs is crucial. It is necessary to exert political pressure to ensure that commitments are fulfilled and followed up with effective protection measures. In view of international commitments and COP30, it is necessary to effectively engage  with environmental policies in the longterm and  with quality criteria.