Conservation 2020

About

Canada’s initial conservation protection target for 2020 (often referred as Target 1) was as follows:

By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10% of marine and coastal areas of Canada are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based measures.

Although this target was not achieved, the website is still a go-to resource for all things Protected Areas and OECMs. It continues to be regularly updated to help guide Canada’s protected areas efforts. It tracks and provides resources on all aspects of Protected Areas and OECMs.

Since COP15 in Montreal in 2023, Canada has committed to new conservation targets. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework contains 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.

Increasing Canada’s Protected Areas and OECMs falls under Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework:

Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water,and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable,and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities including over their traditional territories.

Resource

The entire site is available in both French and English. It also includes a section highlighting the importance of the role of local communities in larger conservation targets.