Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund

Key findings from the strategic environmental assessment conducted for the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s programming under the Natural Climate Solutions Fund relies on collaboration with existing and new partners to meet climate and conservation objectives, supported through grants and contributions mechanisms, among others.

The primary objectives of the fund are to:

• work with nature to increase carbon sequestration through targeted ecosystem restoration and improved management, and
• mitigate emissions from loss and degradation of ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other land uses

The initiative contributes to the Government of Canada’s Climate Change commitments and will result in net greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. Program activities also support and align with Canada’s national approach to nature and wildlife conservation. Positive environmental gains will result for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity including species at risk and ecosystem resilience.

These activities align with the following goals and targets of the 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy:

• Effective action on climate change: by 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels
• Greening government: by 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations
• Healthy coasts and oceans: by 2020, 10% of coastal and marine areas are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
• Sustainably managed lands and forests: by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water are conserved through networks of protected areas and OECMs;  by March 31 2023, ecological integrity will be maintained or improved in 92% of national park ecosystems
• Connecting Canadians with nature: by 2020, maintain or increase the number of Canadians that get out into nature – for example, by visiting parks and green spaces – and increase participation in biodiversity conservation activities relative to a 2010 baseline
• Safe and healthy communities: increase the percentage of Canadians living in areas where air quality standards are achieved from 70% in 2015 to 85% in 2030
• Sustainable food: by 2030, support improvement in the environmental performance of the agricultural sector by achieving a score of 71 or higher for the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability (reflecting the quality of water, soil, air and biodiversity)

This fund will also positively contribute to Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals including (SDGs):

• SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13 Climate Action
• SDG 14 Life Below Water
• SDG 15 Life on Land