Working Toward Nature-Based Climate Solutions

Our planet is facing twin environmental crises: mass extinction and climate change. Although these crises are unique challenges, nature-based climate solutions present a unique opportunity to address both.

What are nature-based climate solutions? 

Natural climate solutions defend and restore natural areas (ex. forests and wetlands) that are essential for the removal of greenhouse gasses, like carbon dioxide, from our environment —protecting us from climate change impacts and reversing wildlife decline. According to a Nature United report, natural climate solutions could reduce Canada’s greenhouse gasses by as much as 78Mt a year in 2030. That’s more than 10% of Canada’s total emissions!

Methods like protection, restoration and improved land management can not only benefit nature but also humans alike. For example, Canadian cities are increasingly threatened by floods, heat waves, air pollution, fires and storms. The implementation of green infrastructure like green roofs can help cool the air, absorb excess water, and reduce energy use while supporting biodiversity and making cities more liveable.

Nature-based climate solutions are also cost-effective and are expected to stimulate our economy through the creation of new jobs or revenue streams for Indigenous communities, farmers, ranchers and foresters. 

Prime Minister Trudeau has made meaningful commitments to invest in Nature-Based Climate Solutions as an increasingly popular opportunity to reduce emissions. These commitments provide opportunities for the nature community to get involved and help to fight both of these crises. Commitments include: 

• Investing $3 billion over 10 years to cover the costs of planting two billion net additional trees, initiate regional and urban forest plans, and put in place measures to sequester carbon and build more resilient ecosystems 
• Committing $630 million over 10 years for nature-based climate solutions initiatives in order to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity
• Expanding protected areas to 25 percent of Canada’s land, water and ocean by 2025, and 30 percent by 2030
• Providing support for Indigenous-led conservation
• Launching a new Natural Infrastructure Fund 

Prime Minister Trudeau has made meaningful commitments to invest in Nature-Based Climate Solutions as an increasingly popular opportunity to reduce emissions. These commitments provide opportunities for the nature community to get involved and help to fight both of these crises. Commitments include: 

• Investing $3 billion over 10 years to cover the costs of planting two billion net additional trees, initiate regional and urban forest plans, and put in place measures to sequester carbon and build more resilient ecosystems 
• Committing $630 million over 10 years for nature-based climate solutions initiatives in order to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity
• Expanding protected areas to 25 percent of Canada’s land, water and ocean by 2025, and 30 percent by 2030
• Providing support for Indigenous-led conservation
• Launching a new Natural Infrastructure Fund