Canada Sustains Global Momentum for Halting Biodiversity Loss — and Must Now Adopt an Ambitious National Strategy

Global leaders gathered this week — as extreme wildfires continue to burn in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, impacting communities and ecosystems — for the first major meeting on biodiversity since the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at COP15 late last year.  

Nature United commends Canada’s leadership at the 7th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and issues the following statement from Shaughn McArthur, Associate Director of Government Relations:

“Canada demonstrated global leadership at the GEF Assembly, keeping up the momentum in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework and further acting on commitments to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050.

“Canada’s allocation of up to $200 million bodes well for the operationalization of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund later this year. More governments must now step up to increase biodiversity-related international financial resources to developing countries in line with their COP15 commitment to mobilize $20 billion USD per year by 2025 and $30 billion USD per year by 2030.  

“Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s hosting of an inaugural Nature Ministerial, and its announcement of a Nature Champions Network, can help build the international political leadership needed to translate the Global Biodiversity Framework into action that can contribute to human wellbeing, healthy ecosystems, Indigenous reconciliation and economic prosperity.

“Canada faces a historic opportunity to lead by example, by adopting a strong National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as soon as possible, passing accountability legislation and laying out a financial plan to achieve its targets.

Canada’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and accountability act have the potential to: 

• Deliver on nature protection in a way that advances reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, while supporting Indigenous-led conservation economies that recognize stewardship as a cultural value and public good;
• Accelerate the uptake of sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, mining and fisheries, to ensure the future competitiveness and vitality of key economic sectors; 
• Align public spending and policies with federal nature and biodiversity targets, while catalyzing Canada’s nature-positive economic future;
• Recognize that the climate and biodiversity crises are interdependent and must be addressed both by accelerating biodiversity strategies and linking biodiversity and climate action targets and plans; and
• Make progress on biodiversity targets transparent and accountable at all levels of government, and accessible to all Canadians.

“The Canadian government has already articulated its commitment to many of these priorities, and taken important first steps. These include its announcement of $800 million to support up to four large-scale, Indigenous-led conservation projects; consultations towards a new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and a 25-year Sustainable Agriculture Strategy; and funding commitments to Natural Climate Solutions. 

“Nature United is committed to supporting Canada’s progress towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss and protecting 30% of land and water by 2030. Our recommendations on Canada’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan will be instrumental in enabling and encouraging progress by governments, rightsholders and stakeholders across Canada, while providing clear expectations to guide and leverage contributions from key economic sectors.”

For detailed recommendations, see Nature United’s written submission to the Government of Canada’s consultations towards a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.