Building relevant datasets and performance indicators to drive Canadian nature-based solutions (NbS) to achieve 30×30 and climate targets while promoting synergy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities

If Canada is to achieve its 30×30 targets (protecting 30% of land and water by 2030), a combination of emissions
reductions and innovative carbon sequestration solutions are needed. Further, these solutions must achieve multiple
benefits for health and community resilience given that adverse health and climate change impacts are predicted to
disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Nature-based solutions (NbS) [Cohen-Shacham et al., 2016; are
defined as interventions to protect, manage, and restore landscapes that store carbon and ultimately benefit human
well-being. While NbS can contribute to multiple benefits (e.g., climate resilience, conservation of cultural resources,
carbon mitigation, water security, and biodiversity preservation), pitfalls do exist. It has been questioned whether NbS
is equally accessible and beneficial for all (Kaufmann, et al., 2021) as some interventions (e.g. protected areas, forest
plantations) have the potential to negatively impact Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) through
displacement, livelihood restrictions, and cultural impacts (Townsend, Moola & Craig, 2020). The federal government
is increasingly exploring the concept of NbS but there is no current policy governing how NbS should be developed
in Canada (or in any country to our knowledge). This is needed.

Faculty Supervisor:

Eliane Ubalijoro;Damon Matthews

Student:

Partner:

The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Concordia University

Program: