Natural Climate Solutions essential to successful Emissions Reduction Plan, green economic transition  

The following is a statement from Hadley Archer, Executive Director:

Canada's first-ever Emissions Reduction Plan is a historic opportunity to maximize the power of nature to reduce our country’s emissions through actions that are available now, are cost-effective and are essential for meeting our 2030 climate targets. 

Peer-reviewed science shows that Natural Climate Solutions—actions to protect, better manage and restore forests, wetlands, grasslands and farmlands to avoid and sequester greenhouse gases—can reduce Canada’s annual emissions by 78 megatonnes in 2030, which is equal to 11% of our current annual emissions. 

The ERP, which is due on March 29, must accelerate NCS through sectoral strategies on agriculture, forest stewardship and the blue economy, as well as measures to support avoided grassland and peatland conversion. NCS are already a key feature in Canada’s strengthened climate plan to reduce emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, on the way to net-zero by 2050. The ERP must build on the federal investment of $4.1 billion in NCS announced in 2021, which is largely focused on a national tree-planting initiative that will deliver major emissions reductions in 2050.

Respect for Indigenous rights and authority is foundational for advancing NCS, alongside the knowledge, participation and consent of Indigenous peoples in the design of these solutions. Indigenous-led NCS integrate time-proven and effective approaches for land stewardship that will help advance commitments towards conservation, biodiversity, adaptation and reconciliation .

The next federal Budget, anticipated to be released the following week, must affirm the ERP and send the message to rights-holders, stakeholders and markets that our federal government is serious about implementing its climate plan. While Canada and the world grapples with competing priorities, even intermitted investments in the budget would signal that the dual crises of climate and biodiversity will not be put on hold.

Canada’s first ERP will mobilize contributions from all sectors, and it will guide actions and accountabilities across government for the next four years—nearly halfway into a decisive decade for climate action. The Government of Canada must act now to maximize the power of nature to deliver deep and durable emissions reductions, for the benefit of nature and people.