A key step toward updating KBA networks across Europe

A scoping exercise found that 74.5% of Europe's 12,000+ existing protected areas could qualify as global Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) with comprehensive assessments, raising recognized qualifying species from 186 to over 4,000—enabling governments to make data-driven conservation decisions for the 30% land/sea protection goal by 2030.

Assessments and updates must still be conducted; identifying sites is the foundation step, not the completion of protection.