Protected Areas: Quebec pledges 30% by 2030

Montreal, 22 April 2021 – With the announcement of a new conservation target by the Minister of the Environment and Fight against Climate Change this morning, Quebec has made a clear commitment to protect 30% of its landmass by 2030, as advocated by the UN’s Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and all nature conservation stakeholders in Quebec and across Canada.

In that respect, the Canada Parks and Wilderness Society (SNAP Quebec) welcomes the government’s decision and is ready to cooperate in the pursuit of conservation projects with the best possible outcomes for the protection of biodiversity, and for the communities that want to see these plans come to fruition.

“We welcome Quebec’s commitment to protect 30% of its landmass by 2030. Protection of our lands and waters is the primary solution to the two interrelated crises that are climate and biodiversity,” says Alain Branchaud, SNAP Quebec’s Executive Director.

By setting its sights on international land and water protection objectives, to be confirmed later this year at COP15, Quebec continues to champion its role as host of the Convention of Biological Diversity Secretariat, located in Montreal.

“Quebec needs to promptly settle the case of the 83 protected areas that were not included in the December 2020 announcements, and commit to scaling up conservation in line with the intermediate targets of 22% by 2022, and 25% by 2025,” concluded Alain Branchaud.

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CONTACTS

Charlène Daubenfeld
Communications Manager, SNAP Québec
Cell: 514-378-3880
[email protected]