Environmentalists say biodiversity crisis requires urgent action
Ottawa / Unceded Traditional Territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Peoples
Environmental lawyers and activists say the federal government’s proposed new Natural Responsibility Law But they say it doesn’t go far enough to ensure Canada meets its international obligations to halt and reverse nature loss.
The proposed bill would affirm Canada’s commitment to contribute to achieving the goals and objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreed to by Canada and other signatories at the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) in 2022. However, it would not codify these targets into law or require Canada to actually achieve them.
“Canada played a leading role on the international stage by hosting COP15 and helped secure a global commitment to critical conservation goals,” said Anna Johnston, staff attorney at the West Coast Environmental Law Association. “Now it’s time to walk the talk and actually deliver on our lands and waters goals. This legislation is a good start, but it needs to be fleshed out.”
A new bill introduced in the House of Commons today would require the federal government to develop a plan for reaching the global targets and publish progress. But experts say that by not legally recognizing the global targets as Canadian targets and allowing officials to submit vague documents, the bill absolves Canada of responsibility for actually meeting its obligations.
“Just like pouring a bucket of water on a burning house, Bill C-73 will do little to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030,” said Rodrigo Estrada Patiño, program director at Greenpeace Canada. “The bill requires significant amendments to the current bill to actually achieve the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensure they are met in whole-of-government decisions, and prioritize Indigenous rights and overall access to nature.”
Advocates are calling for the federal government to work with other parties to draft amendments that would strengthen the bill to ensure biodiversity plans and reports are credible, laws and actions respect Indigenous rights and support Indigenous-led efforts, and federal decision-makers cannot undermine Canada’s ability to protect nature.
“No country has fully met the targets under any international agreement to date,” said Josh Ginsburg, director of the Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Ottawa. “This bill shows the government is serious about reversing this trend and acting on behalf of nature, but without stronger measures, success is not assured. The bill should mandate measurable domestic targets that set out what Canada must achieve and when. We need specific, legally enforceable reporting standards to deliver results for nature.”
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Anna Johnston | Staff Attorney at West Coast Environmental Law
604-340-2304, [email protected]
Marie-Christine Fisset | Media Head, Greenpeace Canada
514 972-6316, [email protected]
Josh Ginsburg | Ecojustice Attorney
613-876-1935, [email protected]
