There is global recognition that we need to dramatically upscale the quality and quantity of our place-based conservation to halt biodiversity loss.  What does nature need in order to persist in an increasingly crowded world?  The WCPA Beyond the Aichi Targets Task Force has been conducting a global dialogue to meet its mandate of 1) defining the scientific underpinnings for in-situ conservation, and 2) conducting global consultations on approaches for reaching in-situ conservation. The consultation applies to both land and sea and is being done in collaborative partnership with the Space of Nature Symposium, major NGOs, Parties and key scientists. This side event focuses on the emerging consensus around what it will really take to halt biodiversity loss and how ambitious targets might be achieved.  The session will focus on the following presentations:

1) What we need to halt biodiversity loss - the global survey of scientists, the Promise of Sydney, and the Space for Nature Symposium – Is there a Scientific Consensus of the Next Generation of Conservation Targets - Stephen Woodley – Vice Chair for Science and Biodiversity, WCPA-IUCN

2) The minimum area requirements needed to achieve upon agreed conservation targets for land and sea- James Watson - University of Queensland and Director of Science and Research Initiative at the Wildlife Conservation Society

3) Results of a global dialogue - ambitious conservation to meet biodiversity needs by applying different in-situ solutions in different countries and regions (3 conditions of the world) – Harvey Locke, Chair, Beyond the Aichi Targets, WCPA-IUCN.

4) A perspective from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the next generation of conservation targets – Keping Ma, Chinese Academy of Sciences

5) Discussion and Dialogue