Question Period Note: Nature-Based Climate Solutions

Nature-Based Climate Solutions

• Climate change and biodiversity loss must be addressed in a coordinated fashion.
• That is why Canada is investing more than $4 billion over the next 10 years to deliver nature-based climate solutions in forests, grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural lands.
• This investment will include planting 2 billion trees, restoring degraded ecosystems, improving land management practices, and conserving land at risk of conversion to other uses.
• These efforts will benefit biodiversity, build resilience in our ecosystems and nature-based economic sectors, create green jobs, and contribute to Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
• This work will build on existing successful initiatives, complement other federal programs, and draw on strong partnerships to ensure its effectiveness.

• As announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement and Budget 2021, the federal government has committed to investing over $4 billion over 10 years (2021-2031) in nature-based climate solutions, of which $3.16 billion will go towards planting 2 billion trees.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are working together to deliver on the Natural Climate Solutions Fund, which includes planting 2 billion trees, working to restore, better manage, and conserve ecosystems, and promoting the adoption of environmentally-friendly farming practices.
• Investments in research, monitoring, science, and reporting under the Fund are essential in better understanding and tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from funded activities.
• Departments are on track to begin implementing the initiative this year:
• In February 2021, NRCan invited prospective partners to submit Expressions of Interest and Requests for Information to identify potential tree planting projects that can be completed within the coming fiscal year.
• From April to June 2021, AAFC accepted proposals for grants from eligible organizations to support them in developing comprehensive project proposals under the Agricultural Climate Solutions program. Applications for contribution funding under that program are slated to open in fall 2021.
• In spring 2021, ECCC accepted expressions of interest to facilitate an initial investment in nature-based climate solutions and take advantage of immediate opportunities. In fall 2021, ECCC will launch an application-based process under its Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund for projects starting in 2022-2023.
• An expert advisory committee has been established to ensure that the program maximizes emissions reductions while also delivering biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits. Committee members are diverse in terms of the sectors they represent and their subject-matter expertise.
• Nature-based climate solutions offer a range of benefits including: preventing carbon-rich ecosystems from disturbance that would release GHGs; offering win-win opportunities such as providing habitat for at-risk species (e.g., caribou) while also sequestering carbon; and contributing to Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals.

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