Canadians agree: Nature is essential to our economy and way of life. Healthy soil grows our food, forests support jobs and communities, and wetlands keep our water clean. Nature helps Canada stay strong, competitive and ready for future challenges.
A new poll shows that 93% of Canadians see nature as one of our most valuable economic resources, and 87% believe that investing in nature can secure Canada’s long-term resilience and independence. But right now, our economy doesn’t fully recognize the value of nature. That means we’re missing out on chances to grow our economy and support communities while protecting nature.
We recommend five key actions to catalyze finance for nature:
Establish a Natural Capital Accounting Advisory Group. Create a timebound working group to advise the Government of Canada on how to integrate natural capital accounting standards into Canada’s fiscal planning — recognizing conservation, restoration and natural infrastructure as capital investments.
Invest in Nature Data and Valuation. Announce capital investments in ecosystem mapping, valuation and data transparency as foundational inter-provincial and -territorial infrastructure to catalyze nature-based investments, premium market access and new forms of productivity, and Indigenous economic self-determination.
Re-commit to Indigenous-led Conservation and Sustainable Working Landscapes. Ensure long-term funding for programs underpinning momentum towards Canada’s nature commitments — such as the Manitoba Nature Agreement, marine conservation establishment and other Indigenous-led conservation activities — and allocate capital spending for sustainable agriculture, improved forest management and Indigenous-led stewardship and enterprises.
Launch a Nature Investment Catalyst Fund. Design the Nature Protection Fund as a blended finance vehicle, built on portfolios of investable projects and supported by a robust technical assistance facility, to de-risk and catalyze private capital for ecosystem protection, management and restoration — ensuring long-term, cost-effective and durable impact.
Accelerate High-Integrity Nature-Based Offset Markets. Establish a national nature-based offset market as part of Canada’s overall effort to reduce trade barriers between provinces and territories, with clear rules on Indigenous atmospheric and ecosystem benefit rights, to reduce developer uncertainty and attract capital. Provide federal procurement guarantees and fund an accelerator program to unlock a robust pipeline of high-integrity projects.
These actions help Canada keep its promise to protect 30% of our land and water by 2030. They also give farmers, foresters, and Indigenous leaders the tools they need to grow a strong economy that can face future challenges. Budget 2025 is our chance to supercharge finance that will create lasting benefits for people and nature.
Nature United was founded as a Canadian charity in 2014, building on decades of conservation in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, our organization has field staff located across the country. Nature United supports Indigenous leadership, sustainable economic development and science and large-scale conservation, primarily in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Our organization is also working to accelerate Natural Climate Solutions at national and regional scales. To learn more, visit natureunited.ca or follow us on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.
We are the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members and a diverse team that includes more than 400 scientists. Our global organization works in more than 80 countries and territories — either directly or through partnerships — to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press.