Urging the Provincial Government to Honour its Commitment to Protecting 30% of Manitoba by Financially Investing in Indigenous-Led Conservation and its Own Capacity to Deliver on its Promises.
Winnipeg, MB – We are excited to announce that Executive Director Ron Thiessen will attend the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16), a Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia this month. We would have loved for our whole team to go but we’re always mindful of costs and our carbon footprint.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which first convened in 1993, is dedicated to conserving global biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and ensuring that the benefits of utilizing genetic resources are shared equitably. The upcoming COP16 will bring together world leaders, environmental organizations, and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for preserving the planet’s biological diversity.
This year’s conference holds special significance for Manitoba as the NDP provincial government committed to protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 by working with Indigenous communities. The long-awaited next step is for Manitoba to ensure the resources required are in place to achieve this commendable initiative.
While Manitoba’s 30×30 commitment is an important step forward, CPAWS is concerned about the lack of adequate funding and dedicated support from different levels of government to turn this vision into reality. To make meaningful progress, national funding is essential, along with a sufficiently resourced team within the Manitoba government. It’s critical for Manitoba to make historical investments in its own vision to ensure these commitments are backed by concrete actions and resources. This action will help to inspire national and international conservation investors to financially invest in Manitoba’s vision.
“COP16 is an outstanding opportunity to highlight Manitoba’s globally significant carbon stores and oxygen production. It’s a pivotal moment to demonstrate Manitoba’s vision for conservation and to showcase our commitment to Indigenous-led conservation initiatives,” said Thiessen. “We are on the verge of something transformative for Manitoba’s environment and economy and it needs to be resourced by the provincial and federal governments with support from philanthropic conservation investors.”
Standing alongside international conservation leaders and attracting global investment to Manitoba’s vision can help to create new pathways for establishing a balance of conservation and sustainable economic opportunities in our province.
With international organizations and philanthropists currently evaluating how to increase their investments in conservation, Thiessen’s attendance will help ensure that Manitoba’s initiative is heard on a global stage. CPAWS is hopeful the Manitoba government will step up with a funding announcement for 30×30 before the conference begins as this will signal to investors that Manitoba is serious about achieving this laudable goal.
The conference offers an ideal platform for the Manitoba government to signal its commitment to long-term conservation funding, which should include funding for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives as well as building the province’s internal capacity to get the job done.
“We are ready to seize this moment and tell the world about Manitoba’s conservation opportunity,” added Thiessen. “COP16 is a chance to elevate our province’s profile and foster global partnerships that will deliver lasting benefits for our lands, waters, and communities.”
CPAWS Manitoba will take part in a panel discussion called, “Subnational Leadership in Biodiversity Conservation in Resource-extraction Dependent Economies.” This session will focus on how local and regional governments can help meet important global goals for protecting nature, especially the aim to protect 30% of land and water by 2030. The panel will share successful strategies and challenges in balanced conservation resource extraction. The discussion will emphasize the importance of working together and ensuring Indigenous leadership to make real progress in conservation efforts.
Our focus remains on creating real, lasting impacts for Manitobans and ensuring our natural heritage is protected for future generations.
Environmental organizations from across Canada will be well-represented at COP16, with CPAWS National, along with representatives from the Alberta and Quebec chapters, joining CPAWS Manitoba. This coordinated presence will amplify the voices of Canada’s conservation community and show our support for Indigenous-led conservation.
Together, the CPAWS network will strive to ensure that Manitoba’s 30×30 commitment and the broader national efforts to safeguard our natural heritage receive the attention and support they deserve on the global stage.
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Media Contact
Ron Thiessen, Executive Director, CPAWS Manitoba
[email protected], Cell: 204-794-4971, Office: 204-990-PAWS (7297)
Background Information
About COP16
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), established in 1993, has three main goals:
- Conserving biological diversity.
- Using natural resources in a sustainable way.
- Ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources.
Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the CBD aims to support sustainable development by putting the principles of Agenda 21 into action. It recognizes that biodiversity isn’t just about protecting plants, animals, and microorganisms, but is also essential for human well-being, providing us with food, medicine, clean air and water, shelter, and a healthy environment.
About CPAWS Manitoba
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s grassroots voice for wilderness. We are solutions-oriented, and we get results. With nearly 60 years of success, we played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres: an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory!
Our mission is to permanently protect at least half of Canada’s lands and waters for future generations of people and wildlife. CPAWS Manitoba has helped establish 23 parks and protected areas in our province: an area larger than Lake Winnipeg at nearly 26,000 square kilometres.
CPAWS Manitoba has been a champion of wilderness and parks in the province since 1991. We ensure the voice of conservation is heard on issues affecting our parks and wilderness areas.
We are also dedicated to connecting people with nature. More than 15,000 people registered for our group hikes, paddle nights, webinars and other Nature Club activities in 2021 and 2022. More than 22,000 children and students have participated in our Outdoor Education Program since May 2021.