Expressing the need for protecting and conserving at least 50 percent of the land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems in the United States and encouraging diplomatic community efforts to achieve this goal worldwide.

Summary of HRES 346

Overview

HRES 346 is a House of Representatives resolution that expresses the sense of Congress regarding biodiversity protection. Introduced on April 24, 2025, it is a non-binding measure (a “sense of the House” resolution) that has been referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It does not enact new law or authorize spending, but sets a high-level policy goal and diplomatic emphasis.

Purpose and Intent

• Acknowledges an imminent crisis from species extinction and biodiversity decline.
• Sets a goal that Congress should support protecting and conserving at least 50 percent of the United States’ land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems.
• Urges the United States to encourage diplomatic and international community efforts to achieve this global conservation target.
• Emphasizes early and ongoing stakeholder consultation to ensure just impacts and a orderly transition for affected communities and industries.

Key Provisions

• Sense of the House: It is the position of the House that biodiversity loss constitutes an urgent crisis and that policy should promote substantial conservation—specifically, protecting and conserving at least 50% of US land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems.
• International engagement: Encourages U.S. and global diplomatic efforts to pursue the 50% conservation target worldwide.
• Stakeholder engagement: Calls for “early and often” consultation with stakeholders to ensure equitable impacts and a just transition for affected communities and workers.
• Nature of action: Expresses guidance and priorities for future legislation, diplomacy, and policy development rather than establishing new authorities, programs, or funding.

Affected Parties and Implications

• Primarily signals policy direction for U.S. federal agencies involved in natural resources, environmental protection, and foreign affairs.
• Impacts could extend to states, local communities, Indigenous groups, environmental justice advocates, and industries engaged in land and water use, conservation, and natural-resource development.
• As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new legal requirements or funding, but it could shape future legislative proposals, regulatory planning, and international diplomacy.

Procedural Status and Timeline

• Introduced: April 24, 2025.
• Referred to: Committee on Natural Resources and Committee on Foreign Affairs (the period for consideration to be determined by the Speaker).
• Status: Submitted in the House.

Notes

• This is a high-level, aspirational statement of policy rather than a statute. If enacted in law later, a 50% protected-target would require detailed definitions, measurable standards, funding, and implementation timelines.