As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the Government of Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to at least 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act also commits Canada to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Nature-based climate solutions (NBCSs) may help the federal government achieve climate change mitigation commitments by intentionally increasing carbon sequestration or reducing emissions from natural systems.
A globally significant stock of carbon is stored in Canada’s vast and ecologically diverse landscapes, from wetlands to forests, grasslands to croplands, and across marine coastal zones. Development and land-use changes can degrade natural carbon stocks, leading to the release of more GHGs. Keeping those stocks intact and actively managing related systems to reduce GHG emissions could help in efforts to combat climate change.
Nature-Based Climate Solutions provides an overview of the mitigation potential of natural carbon sinks, including the global significance of Canadian carbon sinks; options for enhancing carbon sequestration or reducing emissions in various ecosystems; and the potential co-benefits and barriers to implementing NBCSs in Canada. The report also explores how Indigenous Peoples are key partners in carbon sequestration initiatives in Canada.
This resource is also available in French.