Climate Change, Conservation

Protected Areas as a Nature-based Climate Solution

Dr. Risa B. Smith | 2023

This report delves into the science behind using protected areas for climate action.

Canada’s carbon-dense ecosystems are generally poorly represented in the protected areas network. Although the proportion of remaining coastal marine systems protected (i.e. eelgrass and salt marshes), is high, so much has been lost that protecting what remains must be a priority, followed by restoring and then protecting what has been restored. The report provides evidence for including Canada’s carbon-dense ecosystems in the expansion of Canada’s protected areas network.