Leveraging Protected Areas for Climate Action
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society | 2024
This brief presents policy options to help advance protected areas as a nature-based climate solution (NBCS) and make a significant contribution to reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It also underscores the imperative of respecting and centering Indigenous knowledge and rights in this work.
Protected areas, which are a key tool for protecting biodiversity, are also an essential part of the strategy to respond to climate change.
Last December, we published a report by Dr. Risa B. Smith entitled “Protected Areas as a Nature-based Climate Solution.” This report delved into the science behind using protected areas for climate action and led to the development of this newly published policy brief.
In this brief, we explore how Canada can harness the power of protected areas to help meet its climate goals. We have also created an accompanying infographic to highlight key takeaways.