Abstract
The Global Biodiversity Framework’s target of protecting 30% of land, waters and seas by 2030 requires critical discussion of where to establish new protected areas. Spatial prioritization — the process of identifying priority areas — has increasingly recognized that climate change will affect the efficacy of protected areas, as species move to track shifting climate niches. In this Review, we synthesize the current climate-smart approaches: those strategies aimed at designing protected areas that are more resilient to climate change. Such approaches include protecting species’ future habitats, protecting climate refugia, protecting areas that facilitate climate connectivity and protecting areas that promote adaptation potential. To implement these approaches, challenges include uncertainty and gaps in underlying data. We provide actionable guidance for applying these climate-smart approaches in different contexts and highlight promising ways to integrate advances in climate change ecology into conservation planning.