GATINEAU, QC, June 26,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, federal, provincial, and
territorial ministers and representatives responsible for
conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity, met in Ottawa to renew their commitment toward
enhancing nature conservation and sustainable use of nature in
Canada. We know the importance of
this work and the benefits that people will receive, now and in the
future.
The ministers and representatives met last May 2023, when they committed to collective
efforts toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and
putting nature on a path to recovery by 2050. They also discussed
collective efforts toward achieving Canada's goal of protecting 30 percent of land
and water by 2030, in response to the adoption of the
Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on
Biological Diversity. Today, the ministers and representatives
shared their respective initiatives to address biodiversity
conservation and discussed the importance of accelerating the pace
of action.
Participants discussed how Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy's successful and
ambitious implementation requires coordinated action and depends on
whole-of-society, whole-of-government approaches. They agreed that
collaboration between the federal, provincial, and territorial
governments; Indigenous organizations and governments; local
governments; civil society; academia; and industry is essential.
This inclusive, multi-pronged approach will help ensure that human
needs are met, our use of nature's services is sustainable, and
that we are meeting our responsibilities to future generations.
Participants acknowledged the significant contributions that
each jurisdiction is already making to shared priorities and
objectives. They recalled that each jurisdiction has unique
circumstances, sets their own plans and priorities, and implements
various tools and partnerships. They reflected on how efforts can
be enhanced through collaboration on biodiversity, inclusive
land-use planning, species at risk, area-based conservation,
invasive alien species, and wildlife health.
In continued recognition of the central importance of protected
and conserved areas in halting biodiversity loss, participants
acknowledged the importance of innovation, using a variety of tools
to accelerate area-based conservation. They also committed to
continue efforts toward the expansion of protected and conserved
areas in their respective jurisdictions and look forward to
continued collaboration in the spirit of increasing coordination
and efficiencies.
With 662 species at risk in Canada, the participants also discussed how
they can achieve better outcomes for species protection and
recovery. They recommitted to working together to implement the
Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation
in Canada, agreed to by the
federal, provincial, and territorial governments in 2018—an
approach which shifts efforts from a single-species conservation to
one that focuses on multiple species and ecosystems by targeting
priority places, sectors, and species. Participants welcomed a
panel of experts who shared options to accelerate the pace of
change that could be considered by jurisdictions.
Participants recognized the critical role Indigenous
governments, communities, and organizations play in conservation
initiatives and in tackling biodiversity loss. Indigenous peoples
are the original stewards of the land, often best positioned to
support the restoration of healthy ecosystems in Canada. The Nature Agreements developed to
date reflect this highly valued partnership between federal,
provincial, and territorial governments and Indigenous
organizations toward conservation and restoration. Participants
also agreed that Indigenous knowledge and science, in combination
with Western science, is essential to successfully implement the
federal, provincial, and territorial nature strategies, and shared
a common desire to keep supporting Indigenous leadership and
efforts toward the country's nature recovery.
Heading into COP16, Canada has an opportunity to continue being a
global leader in halting and reversing the biodiversity crisis. To
that end, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers remain
committed to working together on shared objectives for the
conservation and sustainable use of Canada's biodiversity, in accordance with each
government's priorities and jurisdiction.
The ministers will meet again next year to review Canada's progress toward its objective of
halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and putting nature
on a path to recovery by 2050.
Quick facts
- Participants recognized key relationships and outcomes achieved
through the Pathway to Canada Target 1 National Steering Committee,
including definitions and guidance for recognizing and reporting
protected areas and other effective area-based conservation
measures (OECMs) and guidance on Indigenous protected and conserved
areas (IPCAs). These resources and guidance will be vital in
expanding Canada's conservation
network.
- To advance action for nature and improve inter-jurisdictional
collaboration and coordination, the participants and
representatives responsible for conservation, wildlife, and
biodiversity agreed to adopt a co-chair model for their forum and
to meet annually. Co-chairs will consist of the minister for
Environment and Climate Change Canada and a minister from one of
the provincial or territorial governments on a rotating term
basis.
Provinces and territories were represented by Yukon, Northwest
Territories, Nunavut,
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward
Island, and Newfoundland
and Labrador. Observers were
present from Quebec, Saskatchewan and New
Brunswick.
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada