Seychelles now protects 48% of its land and 32% of its ocean — past the world's 30% target

A small island nation is showing the world how it is done. Seychelles now protects 48% of its land and 32% of its vast ocean territory, according to the 2026 State of Biodiversity Action report from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity — exceeding the international target of conserving at least 30% of land and sea by 2030, years early. The report cites Seychelles as a model of excellence, crediting its 'ridge-to-reef' approach that manages forests, coasts and reefs under one framework, its Nature Reserves and Conservancy Act of 2022, and its 2025 marine spatial plan.

SDG 14 · Life below water — Mechanism: policy reform