Natural Resources Minister confirms climate and biodiversity as priorities for planting two billion trees by 2030
December 14, 2020, OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) welcomes today’s announcement by Natural Resources Minister the Honourable Seamus O’Regan about the government’s plan to plant two billion trees. This announcement, along with the Fall Economic Statement and last week’s Climate Plan, confirms a clear role for nature-based climate solutions and the multiple benefits they offer in protecting the environment and supporting the well-being of Canadians.
“Keeping the emphasis on ensuring climate and biodiversity benefits in the plan to plant two billion trees is essential to its success, both for nature and in the eyes of Canadians,” said CPAWS National Executive Director Sandra Schwartz.
Funding for today’s announcement was part of last month’s Fall Economic Statement, which allocated $3.19 billion over ten years to plant two billion trees in an effort to fight climate change, protect forests, and create 4,300 good jobs. This plan is part of a package worth $3.9 billion over 10 years for nature-based climate solutions, which also includes investments to enhance wetland, peatland, grassland, and agricultural carbon sequestration potential. In his comments today, Minister O’Regan noted that this plan will permanently grow the size of forest in Canada by two billion trees, and highlighted the many different benefits for community resilience, species at risk like caribou, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and jobs.
Canada’s Climate Plan also reaffirmed the importance of delivering on the federal government’s commitment to protect 25% of land and ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030, as well as to support Indigenous leadership on conservation across the country, as part of a bold nature-based climate solution plan. The Minister emphasized that Indigenous communities will have an important role in the plan to plant two billion trees.
The development of the plan and the nature-based climate solutions program will be guided by a multi-agency team and an advisory committee of experts to help ensure that the multiple benefits of the program are maximized. The government has indicated that it will be partnering with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments, municipalities, and other organizations to deliver the program.
“The plan announced today has enormous potential, and there are countless communities, including Indigenous communities, across Canada excited about the benefits this program is expected to deliver,” added Ms. Schwartz. “Canadians value trees and forests for their many roles in helping humans and wildlife live better. We are confident that this plan will return tangible climate and biodiversity benefits and, at the same time, build connections between Canadians and the nature they love.”
Background
CPAWS promotes nature-based climate solutions as part of a suite of actions to help Canada achieve diverse objectives. In 2019, CPAWS released Finding Common Ground: Six Steps for Tackling Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss in Canada and recommendations for nature-based climate solutions funding. CPAWS is also an active member of the Green Budget Coalition, having drafted nature-based climate solution recommendations for a green recovery.
This 2BT investment has the potential to generate important climate and biodiversity benefits while creating jobs and economic returns. For example:
- A 2015 study shows that restoration supports as many as 33 jobs per $1 million invested. Restoration projects also tend to create localized employment benefits and relatively well-paying jobs compared to those with average wages – similar to the construction industry at large.
- According to an article about the Forests Ontario 50 Million Trees Program, the gross domestic product (GDP) impact of tree planting activities in southern Ontario is $12.7 million annually, with a 3:1 return on investment. The program has also resulted in 300 full-time seasonal jobs annually.
- In the U.S., the World Resources Institute estimates that an annual federal investment of $4-4.5 billion USD in tree planting could create more than 150,000 jobs and $6-12 billion per year in economic activity.
- A 2018 study estimated that $100 million per year for ten years could restore about 10,000 km/year of linear disturbances in northern forests of Alberta and create 80 five-person teams, or 400 direct forest restoration jobs, a year in northern communities, including Indigenous communities. Areas vital for caribou conservation could be selected to ensure benefits for biodiversity.
- Many studies show the significant value of trees for livable and sustainable communities, including through their biodiversity benefits.
- Experts at the Smart Prosperity Institute the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have calculated the potential mitigation benefits of tree planting in Canada.
About CPAWS
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, we have played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.
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For more information, please contact:
Tracy Walden
National Director, Communications and Development, CPAWS
twalden@localhost
613-915-4857