WINNIPEG, MB, July 18,
2024 /CNW/ - Conserving and restoring nature is
fundamental for capturing harmful greenhouse gas emissions by
pulling more carbon dioxide out of the air, while also safeguarding
the places and species that are part of who we are as Canadians.
The Government of Canada has
launched the largest conservation campaign in the country's history
in order to meet its emissions reduction targets and reverse
biodiversity loss by 2030.
Today, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime
Minister and Special Advisor for Water, announced on behalf of the
Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate
Change, over $11 million for two
major greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects funded through
the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
These projects will aim to fight climate change in Manitoba while benefitting biodiversity by
safeguarding carbon-rich ecosystems from destruction to keep carbon
in the ground:
- The Manitoba Habitat Conservancy: An investment of $6.1 million to secure approximately 1,200
hectares of privately held carbon- and biodiversity-rich land. The
activities will take place in priority habitats, including
grasslands, forests, riparian areas, and wetlands. The project will
help to mitigate climate change and will provide co-benefits for
biodiversity.
- The Fisher River Cree Nation: An investment of $5.1 million will focus on preventing land
conversion and loss of carbon from peat harvesting in the
Interlakes region of Manitoba. The
project will take place in carbon-rich peatlands and will provide
connectivity within a migratory bird flyway. The project will help
mitigate climate change and provide co-benefits for biodiversity
and human well-being, while also supporting Indigenous
reconciliation.
The Government of Canada is
investing heavily in nature-based climate solutions that restore
degraded ecosystems, create new protected areas, improve land
management practices, and plant two billion new trees. Activities
supported by the Government of Canada help mitigate climate change, build
resilience, improve water quality, and provide critical habitat for
Canada's wildlife.
Quotes
"Nature is our greatest ally in the fight against climate
change. But nature needs our help. Too many of the precious and
beautiful ecosystems that we hold dear as Canadians are under
threat and need protection. Our Government has launched the largest
conservation campaign in Canada's
history, with a goal of reversing biodiversity loss and protecting
30 percent of land and water by 2030. We're working with partners
of all kinds across the country to protect these carbon-rich
landscapes to save critical habitat and get us closer to our
climate goals."
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change
"Protecting nature is one of the best and easiest ways that we
can fight climate change. These vital ecosystems, like those
here in Manitoba, absorb carbon
and increase our communities' resilience to the effects of climate
change. Our Government has launched the largest ever conservation
campaign in Canada's history with
a goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water in Canada. That starts with supporting the
important work being done by partners such as the Manitoba Habitat
Conservancy and the Fisher River Cree Nation. The long-term
benefits are enormous, getting us closer to our climate goals and
protecting forever the critical habitat of so many species."
– Terry Duguid, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water
"Our province's prairies and forests are unique and resilient
environments, much like its people. It is through people and our
interaction with nature that we can find climate change and
biodiversity solutions. The Manitoba Habitat Conservancy is a
community-driven conservation organization working with all
Manitobans to ensure our landscapes remain alive with people and
nature. By harnessing the power of nature and landowner
participants, the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy is working to
implement nature-based solutions to our human-caused impacts and
ensure a natural legacy. We are grateful for the historic
investments that the Government of Canada is making in conservation, resulting in
our largest conservation project to date. Because of this
investment, 1,200 hectares of land will be forever preserved to
help mitigate climate change impacts, sequester carbon, provide
habitat for wildlife, and retain the natural beauty of our prairie
and forested landscapes in Manitoba."
– Stephen Carlyle, Chief Executive Officer, Manitoba Habitat
Conservancy
"Conserving nature brings benefits not only to the plants and
animals that depend on thriving ecosystems, it provides important
nature-based services to Canadians to help mitigate the impacts of
climate change, provide clean and plentiful water, and capture and
store greenhouse gases. That is why these investments in nature
conservation and protecting wetlands in Manitoba are so important and why the Nature
Smart Climate Solutions Fund is such a powerful tool in the fight
against climate change and for preserving biodiversity. Ducks
Unlimited Canada applauds the federal government's investments
announced today, which will help to advance Indigenous leadership
in nature conservation, protect and restore critical habitat for
waterfowl and migratory birds, reduce greenhouse gases, and
mitigate the impacts of a changing climate."
– Michael Nadler, Chief Executive Officer, Ducks Unlimited
Canada
"We are thrilled and grateful to receive this significant
funding from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund to support our
efforts in preventing land conversion and loss of carbon from peat
harvesting in our region. This project is a critical step in
mitigating climate change and will provide invaluable co-benefits
for biodiversity and human well-being in our community and
surrounding areas. As Indigenous people, we are stewards of this
land, we have a deep responsibility to protect and preserve our
natural resources for future generations. This funding will allow
us to take meaningful action to safeguard our peatlands, which play
a vital role in sequestering carbon and supporting the delicate
ecosystems that our people have relied on for centuries."
– Chief David Crate, Fisher River
Cree Nation
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada has
set the ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of land and water by
2030, as well as halt and reverse nature loss in Canada by 2030 and achieve a full recovery for
nature by 2050.
- Canada is home to 24 percent
of the world's wetlands, 25 percent of temperate rainforest areas,
and 28 percent of remaining boreal forests.
- Nature-based climate solutions are a key part of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.
- The Government of Canada has
committed to invest $5 billion over
10 years (2021–2031) in the Natural Climate Solutions Fund,
including $1.4 billion in Environment
and Climate Change Canada's Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
- The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund will help
Canada meet its target to reduce
five to seven megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
annually by 2030 using nature-based climate solutions.
Associated links
- Backgrounder: The Government of Canada invests in nature-based solutions to
help fight climate change and protect biodiversity across the
country
- Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada