Four Conservation Wins to Watch for in 2024

We're thrilled with the conservation progress we saw last year—including new national monuments here in the U.S., progress toward protecting the high seas, a pledge to transition off fossil fuels, and more.

As 2024 kicks off, we're looking forward to more wins for our environment. Here are four to watch for:

1. Progress toward a new Louisiana marine reserve

This year, we can take a critical step toward establishing America's next National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin , America's largest river swamp.

First step: An environmental impact statement for the site. The statement should settle critical details, including the NERR's precise boundaries—a crucial step toward designation.

2. Establishment of Chile's first protected rivers

Currently, none of Chile's 1,251 rivers are sufficiently protected. That could all change when the country is expected to declare the Futaleufú and Puelo rivers as water reserves.

The designation—which communities, organizations, and officials have worked for years to secure—will enshrine that "the environment or ecosystem must be considered one of the users of this resource."?

3. Progress on curbing funds for overfishing

Governments pay an estimated $22 billion annually in subsidies that fund overfishing, pushing fish populations beyond sustainable levels.

In 2022, World Trade Organization members agreed to end this troubling trend, but two-thirds of the WTO's 164 members must still ratify the agreement. Currently, just over 50 members have done so.

This year, we're hopeful progress continues toward full ratification .

4. Safety standards for protecting fishers

Fishing is one of the world's most dangerous professions. , though, would set safety standards for some commercial fishing vessels.

To enter into force, the agreement needs to be ratified by at least 22 countries with a combined fleet of at least 3,600 eligible vessels—something we hope to see early this year.