Canada

Through the signing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Canada—along with 195 other countries—committed to protecting 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030 (Target 3). The Government of Canada has also committed to do the same in Canada.

Other levels of government

By working together, across all levels of government, we are finding ways to conserve nature while balancing important economic considerations, like job creation and sustainable resource development.

Many provincial and territorial governments have committed to protect more nature in their jurisdictions, including:

• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Quebec
• Yukon
• Nova Scotia

Canada is supporting some of these commitments through Nature Agreements with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. These are designed to advance shared nature priorities, like protected and conserved areas and support for species at risk.

Local governments also continue to advance actions that support Canada's 30% by 2030 conservation goal, including:

• Capital Regional District, British Columbia
• Regional District of Central Okanagan, British Columbia
• Toronto, Ontario
• Sudbury, Ontario
• Chelsea, Quebec

Working together

Canada's 30% by 2030 conservation goal is ambitious, and one that our health, prosperity and well-being depends on. Achieving this goal requires a whole of society approach, embracing innovation and strong collaboration. This includes engagement from Indigenous Peoples, other federal departments and agencies, all levels of government, industry, environmental organizations, philanthropy and private landowners.

Everyone has an important role to play:

Indigenous Peoples have been stewarding the lands, waters, and ice since time immemorial. Canada is advancing reconciliation through conservation by supporting:

• Indigenous-led area-based conservation projects
• four major Project Finance for Permanence initiatives
• Indigenous Guardians programs

Other federal departments and agencies including Parks Canada Agency and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, are working with partners to conserve nature across the country. Others, including Canada Border Services Agency and the National Research Council of Canada, have been conserving nature in new and novel ways.

Provincial/territorial governments govern almost 80% of lands in Canada. We must continue working together to:

• find common ground,
• conserve more nature, and
• balance important economic factors like creating jobs and sustainably developing resources.

Regional/municipal governments support biodiversity conservation in urban and near-urban areas, close to where most Canadians live. We are working with partners to include more locally protected and conserved areas in the national network to recognize their value for biodiversity.

Industry has rights and tenures on lands for natural resource development. At the same time, we know nature and the economy can thrive together. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) allow people to interact with nature in sustainable ways, while also conserving biodiversity. We are working with industry sector partners, including forestry and mining, to support economic development while conserving nature.

Environmental groups are important partners, and advocate for nature conservation in Canada. They lead valuable conservation work across the country and mobilize other partners for greater impact.

Philanthropic organizations play an essential role in nature conservation projects by providing critical funding, expertise, and advocacy to protect and conserve nature. They are key partners in many conservation initiatives across the country.

Private landowners are also making a positive impact. The Natural Heritage Conservation Program and the Ecological Gifts Program offer ways for Canadians to donate or sell ecologically sensitive private lands and private interests in lands. These areas are generally rich with biodiversity, and often add to existing networks of conserved areas.