Facing a biodiversity crisis where one in five assessed species in Canada is at risk, the Government of Canada is taking significant steps to protect and restore nature. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the launch of Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy and introduced the Nature Accountability Bill, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in the nation’s environmental commitments.
Key Announcements
- 2030 Nature Strategy: This strategy outlines how Canada will achieve the ambitious nature protection goals set under the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework from COP15. It highlights necessary actions and additional measures required to build on current initiatives. Developed with extensive input from provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, businesses, and citizen groups, the strategy promotes a comprehensive approach to nature conservation.
- Nature Accountability Bill: This legislation mandates the government to develop and report on a national nature strategy, ensuring accountability and transparency in meeting biodiversity commitments. The bill includes provisions for creating national biodiversity strategies and action plans, with regular reporting to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.
Six Pillars of the 2030 Nature Strategy
- Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation: Recognizing Indigenous peoples as original caretakers of the land, the strategy upholds their rights and advances reconciliation.
- Whole-of-Government Approach: Promoting policy coherence by leveraging the strengths of every societal segment.
- Economic Resilience: Linking prosperity with environmental health, aiming to support a resilient economy.
- Community Empowerment: Supporting regional differences and adopting flexible, community-based approaches.
- Science and Knowledge Integration: Using the best available science and Indigenous Knowledge to guide actions.
- Holistic Approaches: Ensuring inclusive and transparent actions for nature conservation.
Legislative and Policy Implications
The Nature Accountability Bill requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to consider Indigenous Knowledge and the rights outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when formulating strategies and reports. The bill also establishes a mechanism for independent expert input to inform national strategies and reports.
Beyond enhancing government accountability, the bill aims to foster collaboration between the federal government, other Canadian governments, and Indigenous partners to address biodiversity loss effectively.
Commitment
The 2030 Nature Strategy is part of Canada’s largest campaign to protect 30% of its land and water by 2030 and conserve species at risk. This coordinated effort involves partnerships with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples in order to protect the Canadian environment.
Minister’s Statement
“Generational fairness must be rooted in protecting and restoring our natural world for all it does to support our economy and our well-being. COP15 in Montréal was a watershed moment in landing a global agreement to follow what the science is telling us and put in place the necessary safeguards to protect nature across the planet. Today, we are taking a major step forward by launching our national Strategy and the legislation that will hold the Government accountable to make progress on these ambitious nature protection goals,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault.
Our Take
Canada’s biodiversity is deeply impacted by climate change. In fact the loss of biodiversity is targeted as the country’s second most prominent issue in a recent report by a government affiliated thinktank. And just today a study revealed that Canadian Hudson Bay polar bears are close to extinction. It remains to be seen how well the government will execute its 2030 strategy and how effective its new bill is. Meanwhile environmental protesters are still protesting as Canada enters another extremely hot summer that is sure to bring more wildfires.