PS 2-26 - Charting Evidence-based Biodiversity Pathways for A Nature-positive Future in Canada

Background/Question/Methods

Global society’s failure to achieve 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets signaled an urgent need for renewed and better coordinated action, across sectors, to prevent ongoing biodiversity loss around the world. The global community must make stronger commitments to nature conservation through the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. To respond to global environmental challenges, Canadian conservation policy should reflect the collective wisdom of biodiversity stakeholders and lessons learned from past conservation efforts. Grounded in these critical reflections, Canada can then draft strategic and actionable plans for environmental protection in the next decade. In this study, we take an integrative approach to synthesize past achievements and roadblocks surrounding biodiversity governance in Canada since 2010 and explore innovative pathways for biodiversity conservation that could enable societal transformations across sectors. We conducted a retrospective assessment of Canada’s progress against the Aichi 2011-2020 Biodiversity Targets and a comprehensive review on related literature (137 articles), and policies (122 legislations). We also consulted with different stakeholders from across the country through a two-day, multi-stakeholder expert workshop and a series of follow-up interviews. The synthesis of the knowledge and evidence highlight root problems, potential solutions, and priority actions that can chart pathways for biodiversity conservation for the next decade.

Results/Conclusions

We observed that progress has been stifled in the past decade by failures to recognize Indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and excluding socio-cultural components from biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity degradation has occurred in lockstep with colonization in Canada and the disruption of Indigenous governance systems that stewarded “Canada’s” ecosystems for millennia. Indigenous knowledge and practices play an essential role in value change and conservation in Canada. The relationship between Indigenous activities and biodiversity lacks sufficient study and public awareness. Conservation in Canada requires a full understanding and recognition of Indigenous governance and wise practices. Indigenous-led biodiversity conservation with all actors involved through a polycentric governance framework would be a promising trajectory for a nature-positive future in Canada. This work, including grounded reflections on biodiversity pathways, will inspire multiple stakeholders to take innovative actions for nature protection and help to improve biodiversity governance in Canada for the next decade. Embodied learning and other innovative disruptions led by Indigenous Knowledge Holders can foster value transformation and social norms formation which are necessary for green transformation.