Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)are already available through the Global downloads and will soon be visible on the IBAT Data Map!
OECMs are geographically defined areas where pre-existing management and governance are achieving long-term outcomes for biodiversity outside of the protected area network. This includes sites where biodiversity is being conserved through other objectives, such as the management of watersheds, sustainable use of resources, or the preservation of a community’s spiritual and cultural practices.
OECMs serve as an important tool to safeguard biodiversity. The increasing recognition of OECMs is driven by global agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBF's Target 3 calls for the expansion of global networks of protected areas and OECMs to effectively conserve at least 30% of land and seas by 2030.
Businesses and financial institutions face significant biodiversity-related risks , including physical, transition, and systemic risks. Together with the existing IBAT datasets, OECMs can be used as an additional datapoint in understanding a site's interface with biodiversity sensitive areas. IBAT alliance partner, UNEP-WCMC, have recently published two articles on how businesses and financial institutions can consider OECMs as part their risk screening and site analysis. You can find the resources here:
OECMs: An introduction for businesses and Risk management in OECMs
With the current (Nov 2025) release you can access OECMs in IBAT via:
• The IBAT Data map (available for both free and paid users)
• Site level and Global GIS downloads
Note that OECMs are currently not included in any IBAT reports that assess proximity to Protected areas (such as the Proximity Report, Disclosure Preparation Report, PS6 & ESS6 Report and the Multi-site Report). The IBAT Alliance is assessing which reports and other features OECMs should be brought into in the future. Keep an eye on our blog and newsletter for further updates.
Feel free to contact the IBAT team at ibat@ibat-alliance.org if you have any questions about this new feature, we would love to hear from you!
