After months of preparations and two weeks of intense engagement in Montreal, nature lovers can have a good time some key wins at COP15.

Together with different members of the Nature Canada workforce, I used to be on the NatureCOP pushing for a robust international deal and new federal authorities commitments to guard nature right here at residence. 

We went to Montreal buoyed by the hundreds of Canadians who demanded motion – and the federal authorities stepped up with necessary new motion to halt and reverse nature loss in Canada, and to assist ship a brand new international deal to halt biodiversity loss around the globe. So how did it shake out?

Right here’s how COP15 landed within the 5 key areas of motion that we felt would outline success.

1. Settlement on a robust new World Biodiversity Framework – You probably did it!

What we wished: A brand new international deal to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 with measurable targets, equitable financing by means of monetary contributions to growing international locations and a redirecting of dangerous subsidies, and robust recognition of nature as a local weather ally.

What we obtained: The Kunming-Montreal World Biodiversity Framework –Within the wee hours of Monday morning, a historic international settlement was reached to Halt and Reverse Nature loss by 2030 that commits to preserve 30% of land and ocean by 2030, and in that very same timeframe to triple North to South financing for conservation to $30 billion a yr, and scale back authorities subsidies that promote nature loss by $500 billion, beginning with probably the most dangerous. For its half, Canada introduced over $600 million in new funding for biodiversity conservation in growing international locations. 

The settlement acknowledges the unfavorable impacts local weather change is having on ecosystems, and the necessity for “nature-based options or ecosystem-based approaches” to reduce this hurt. On the whole this new CBD framework is a big enchancment over its predecessor when it comes to the measurability of targets, which is required for accountability. On the identical time, whereas lots of the 23 targets have clear timeframes or markers for achievement, that is uneven throughout the doc. Ambition was  additionally rolled again in key areas like for pesticides on account of company lobbying. And general, the settlement lacks a compulsory ratcheting mechanism that will increase necessities for presidency motion over time if milestones aren’t met.  As with most UN agreements then, accountability will come primarily by means of home stress created inside nation states to carry governments to account for his or her commitments below this deal.

2. Clear help for Indigenous rights and management – Sure!

What we wished: Canada to work to make sure that Indigenous information and rights have been on the centre of the brand new international deal, and to broaden funding for Indigenous-led conservation and restoration.

What we obtained: A world deal that acknowledges the basic function of Indigenous Peoples and, in Canada, $800 million in funding for new Indigenous protected areas in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the North-West Territories, the launch of a Nationwide Guardians Community with $100 million in funding for Indigenous-led restoration, and important new Indigenous-led conservation agreements in Manitoba and Yukon. First Nation, Inuit and Metis leaders have been current all through COP, alongside sturdy representatives from Indigenous nations worldwide demanding respect for  their authority, cultures and information methods. The Indigenous Management initiative hosted an Indigenous village that showcased how First Nation conservation management carries the options the world craves. 

3. Dedication to a nationwide motion plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Canada – Sure!

What we wished: Canada to sign its dedication to ship a high-ambition nationwide motion plan to halt and reverse nature loss in a manner that centres Indigenous rights, contains restoration of broken ecosystems, ends dangerous subsidies, and advances new legal guidelines and public engagement.

What we obtained: A dedication by Setting Minister Steven Guilbeault to ship an entire of presidency motion plan to halt and reverse the lack of nature in Canada that features continued motion to guard a minimal of 30 % of land and ocean by 2030, and the prioritization of Indigenous information and conservation. He dedicated to motion to finish the subsidies that hurt nature however with no timeframe. The brand new international deal requires international locations to  obtain reductions by 2030 however we want motion before this in Canada. Importantly the Minister introduced his help for a brand new federal biodiversity accountability legislation, which we hope could be introduced ahead in 2023.

Canada additionally dedicated to restore 19 million hectares of forests by 2030 (an space virtually the dimensions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia mixed) and to section out worldwide fossil gas subsidies. The latter is crucial given the hazard local weather change poses to nature’s restoration, new commitments for transferring on fossil gas subsidy elimination at residence have to be subsequent. Regardless of calls from Nature Canada and our companions, the federal authorities didn’t decide to a timeline to ship its motion plan to halt and reverse nature loss. We might want to work collectively to maintain the stress on to make sure that this plan is delivered in 2023 and that it contains key commitments reminiscent of restoring 20 % of all degraded ecosystems, halting the widespread degradation of forests from logging, bold targets for ending dangerous air pollution, and broadening fairness of entry to nature for all.

4. Precedence to safeguarding ocean biodiversity – begin!

What we wished:  We wished to verify the Ocean was within the Room! We joined with different Canadian nature organizations within the SeaBlue coalition  in a marketing campaign calling for oceans to be central to the COP15 worldwide settlement and for motion by Canada to raised shield ocean ecosystems at residence, together with by limiting backside trawling and inserting a moratorium on seabed mining. 

What we obtained: The worldwide ocean and coastal areas are implicated all through the brand new settlement, and environmental organizations fought exhausting to make sure that the 30 % safety by 2030 goal included the ocean. Canada launched a brand new coverage for marine safety requirements and  additionally stepped ahead with $230 million in new funding for ocean restoration and conservation in Canada, however didn’t announce a moratorium on deep sea mining or new limits for backside trawling.  

Extra management shall be required within the coming yr to make sure Canada’ ocean insurance policies and applications align with the federal government’s biodiversity and local weather agenda, together with the dedication to help Indigenous governance and rights in marine areas. On Dec 18th at NatureCOP Canada signed a joint assertion together with Norway Australia and over 30 different international locations on the significance of defending and conserving  marine and coastal biodiversity. We’ll subsequently be expecting Canadian management to assist land a Excessive Seas Treaty to guard biodiversity within the ocean in addition to a worldwide moratorium on deep sea mining. The IMPAC5 international ocean convention, to be held in Vancouver in February of 2023, is Canada’s subsequent alternative to  showcase management, and we hope to see important progress on defending websites in the direction of our 30% goal.

5. Launch of a Nature motion – You betcha!

What we wished: We hoped Canadians would be a part of us on this as soon as in a decade alternative to assist  construct a robust and various public motion demanding bold authorities motion to handle the biodiversity disaster. 

What we obtained: The internet hosting of COP15 in Canada has helped spawn a renewed and strengthened nature motion. A whole lot of Canadians participated in Nature Canada’s multi-province Nature Bus tour, and hundreds despatched messages urging the federal government to behave now to halt species extinction. With hundreds becoming a member of forces to march the streets of Montreal throughout COP15, stress is constructing on Canada and the world to bend the curve on species loss beginning now.

Vital steps have been taken at COP15 – each globally and in Canada – to guard nature and halt mass species extinction. However a lot work stays to implement the actions vital to realize the goal of halting and reversing nature loss by 2030. 

We stay up for working with you in 2023 to halt and reverse nature loss in Canada and around the globe! 

Thanks for all of your help and wishing you all greatest needs for a joyous and nature-ful vacation season!