The Canadian Climate Advantage
Canada’s vast natural landscape offers huge potential to cut harmful emissions and spark economic recovery. Combined with cutting fossil-fuel use, boosting energy efficiency and accelerating clean-energy innovation, Natural Climate Solutions offer powerful and cost-effective ways to tackle the climate crisis.
Science
Natural Climate Solutions for Canada
By protecting, better managing and restoring nature, Canada can drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, concludes Nature United’s ground-breaking study published in Science Advances.
Natural Climate Solutions can help Canada avoid or increase capture of up to 78 megatonnes of CO2e annually by 2030.
More Research
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Natural Climate Solutions
Research by our global affiliate and 15 other institutions demonstrates that nature-based solutions provide up to 37 percent of the emission reductions needed by 2030 to keep global temperature increases under 2 degrees celsius. Read more about the study.
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Natural Climate Solutions for the United States
This study shows that if all 21 pathways were implemented to their full potential, they could prevent or sequester more than one-fifth of annual U.S. greenhouse gas pollution—the equivalent of removing the emissions from all U.S. cars and trucks. Read the more about the study.
As Natural United develops strategies for accelerating Natural Climate Solutions on the ground, our organization will work to support Indigenous governance, land-relationship planning, stewardship and economic development. In fact, Natural Climate Solutions align with many Indigenous priorities and values, for example, thriving ecosystems, healthy communities and sustainable economies.
Nature United will use this science as a catalyst to advance those priorities.
Through meaningful collaboration, we can spur strong government action to introduce new policy incentives, uphold and invest in Indigenous rights and knowledge, and build economic solutions for industry.
Nature United has a proven track record of building diverse partnerships to protect lands and waters and ensure nature is the foundation of healthy communities and economies.
In the early years, our efforts will create the conditions for accelerating Natural Climate Solutions—for example, supporting Indigenous authority and investing in Indigenous-led conservation, and introducing policy incentives to encourage new agriculture and forestry practices.
Nature United will also invest in projects on the ground that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create models for collaborative Natural Climate Solutions projects across Canada—building on our decade-long record of advancing conservation in Canada.
Events
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Managing Canada’s Forests in a Changing Climate
Dr. Ronnie Drever, lead scientist on the study Natural Climate Solutions for Canada, joined a panel discussion examining how Canada's forest management regime can support and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation during NYC Climate Week. Watch Recording
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A Conversation About Natural Climate Solutions
Environmental journalist and Nature United Board of Directors member Aliya Jasmine spoke with Natural Climate Solutions program director about the importance of nature in the fight to tackle climate change. Watch Recording
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Nature’s Potential to Tackle Climate
Amanda Reed will provide the core presentation. This will be followed by contributions from Maria Strack and Susan Cook-Patton and their remarks will focus on the main takeaways from their research and specific examples (i.e. pathways) they studied. Watch Recording
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How can Canadian Industries Lead on Natural Climate Solutions?
In this panel, Nature United and corporate leaders have an in-depth look at the science and outline how to prioritize investments in Natural Climate Solutions that will have maximum benefit for people and nature. Watch Recording
In the News
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Countering climate change
How natural solutions could mitigate 78 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 Read More
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New study offers Canada natural solutions to combat climate change
“This is really the first-ever comprehensive study of the role of nature in Canada in the fight against climate change,” said Ronnie Drever, co-lead author of the study and senior conservation scientist at Nature United. Read More
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Natural climate solutions could offset 11 per cent of Canada’s emissions
Study published in Science Advances finds protecting and restoring natural ecosystems, such as wetlands, forests and grasslands, could help Canada meet its climate goals Read More
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'Natural climate solutions' could help Canada meet emissions target
"Natural climate solutions are relatively cost-effective ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions," said Amanda Reed, who co-ordinated the research for Nature United, the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy. Read More
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Natural climate solutions scalable and deployable now, research shows
In a study published in Science Advances, researches show the efficacy of natural climate solutions in combating climate change, identifying 24 such solutions related to the protection, management and restoration of natural systems. Read More
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Nature can deliver immediate impact in climate crisis
Peer-reviewed study shows Natural Climate Solutions can help Canada cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 78 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) annually in 2030. Read More
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From extractive to regenerative
Panellists across the country shared success stories during The Narwhal’s online event on the role of Canada’s natural landscapes in the fight against climate change. Read More
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Canada pledges to stem biodiversity loss, ensure pandemic recovery is green
“There’s a huge opportunity here,” said Amanda Reed, director of strategic partnerships for Nature United. Read More
Study Downloads
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Key Findings Infographic
PDF
An illustrated guide to the key findings identified in "Natural Climate Solutions for Canada."
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Factsheet
A provincial breakdown of mitigation opportunities identified in the study "Natural Climate Solutions for Canada"
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Figure 1
A bar graph from the study, "Natural Climate Solutions for Canada" showing the mitigation opportunities by pathway.
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Canadian Geographic Series
Natural Climate Solutions Videos
Media Resources
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Media Release
Official statement on the publication of "Natural Climate Solutions for Canada" See Release
Quotes
In recognition of World Environment Day, I am pleased to congratulate Nature United and its many partners on their important work to advance Natural Climate Solutions. Nature-based solutions can help Manitoba achieve its vision of becoming the cleanest, greenest and most climate-resilient province in Canada.
—The Honourable Sarah Guillemard Manitoba Minister of Conservation and Climate
“RBC is proud to support efforts focused on preserving our natural ecosystem through our Tech for Nature commitment. As we collectively look to advance our understanding of climate risk and potential solutions, this research study helps advance our understanding of natural climate solutions and their potential to sequester carbon that can meaningfully contribute to meeting Canada’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. Balancing the needs of different stakeholders is at the heart of natural climate solutions and aligns with RBC’s purpose of helping our clients thrive and communities prosper.”
— Keith J. Robertson, VP Enterprise Risk, Royal Bank of Canada
“This analysis is welcome evidence of the significant potential of nature in Canada to address climate change while protecting, enhancing and restoring critical ecosystems. Shell’s recent investments in nature also point to the broader value for Canadians and vital role for Indigenous communities.
— Flora Ji, Vice President, Nature Based Solutions, Shell
“Given the foundational role that forests play in the global carbon cycle, this important new research is critical in helping companies like Kimberly-Clark understand how corporate sourcing choices and actions can help unleash the power of Canada’s forests to mitigate climate change.”
— Lisa Morden, VP Safety & Sustainability, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Media Inquiries: (416) 526-7353 | jacqueline.nunes@natureunited.ca
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United as Nature and People
Our vision is for a sustainable Canada where nature is the foundation of human well-being, prosperity and opportunity for future generations.
