Montréal — The 5th Global Biodiversity Outlook released today by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) underlines again the need for urgent action to protect and restore nature. Yet, according to the report, destructive and polluting industries are piling more pressures on our planet’s life support system than at any point in human history, resulting in none of the global nature goals for 2020 being fully met and accelerating biodiversity loss. The report, which includes a report card on the CBD’s 2010-2020 “Aichi” Biodiversity Targets also warns that failure to tackle the climate emergency is making the nature crisis worse.  

In Canada, the Federal Commissioner of the Environment concluded in 2018 that Environment and Climate Change Canada had not provided  “effective national leadership and coordination of actions” required to meet these Biodiversity targets, which include protected areas. With only 11.4% of the country’s terrestrial lands and waters protected area by the end of 2019, the federal government will soon miss its 17% protected area commitments for 2020. Despite this, the government has further committed to achieving 30% protection of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030. 

“If Prime Minister Trudeau is serious about his commitments and a green recovery, he needs to invest in nature this Fall. From protecting our coasts and forests, to restoring our rivers and lakes, there are a wealth of opportunities to stimulate local economies while improving the health of our communities. With almost 9% of the world’s remaining forests found in Canada, protecting them is a major contribution Canada can make in the fight against climate change. ” said Olivier Kölmel, Nature and Food Campaigner for Greenpeace Canada. 

Examining COVID-19 recovery options, a recent paper published in the Oxford Review of Economic Policy identifies “natural capital investment for ecosystem resilience and regeneration including restoration of carbon-rich habitats” as one of several fiscal policy measures that offer both high economic and climate impact. 

“These targets are about protecting what protects us. We need to shift control over natural resources from polluting industries to Indigenous Peoples and ensure local communities are included in sustainable development. It’s time to end the delays – the Earth is in crisis and nature is our greatest ally,” concluded Kölmel.

ENDS

For more information please contact: 

Marie-Christine Fiset, Head of Media, Greenpeace Canada

[email protected] ; +1 514 972-6316

Notes:

  1. Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 full report here.