TBNClimate
COP17: Open letter urges governments to keep extractives out of protected areas
Publication: Conservation news
Authors: Bobbybascomb, David Akana
Source published: 23/10/2026, 16:24:06 UTC
Briefing created: 23/10/2026, 17:00:51 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 23/10/2026, 16:39:24 UTC.
Briefings
Eighty conservation and civil society organizations issued a joint letter to COP17 leaders in Armenia, urging them to exclude mining, oil, and gas operations from protected areas. A prior Earth Insight report indicated that nearly 62 million hectares of protected zones overlap with oil and gas blocks, while 43 million hectares overlap with mining concessions. The signatories emphasize that meeting numerical targets without physical protection is ineffective. The letter was released on October 2, following a World Leaders agreement in 2022 to protect 30% of land and waters by 2030.
Key points
- Eighty conservation and civil society organizations issued a joint letter to COP17 leaders in Armenia, urging them to exclude mining, oil, and gas operations from protected areas.
- A prior Earth Insight report indicated that nearly 62 million hectares of protected zones overlap with oil and gas blocks, while 43 million hectares overlap with mining concessions.
Context
The letter was released on October 2, following a World Leaders agreement in 2022 to protect 30% of land and waters by 2030, known as Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Conservation officials argue that mining has no place in protected areas, and signatories like WWF and IUCN emphasize that protected areas must be secured against extractive industries.
Limitations
Evidence is limited to the joint letter and a prior Earth Insight report; no specific dates for the letter's release beyond October 2, 2026, are provided.
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