International Actions
Canada was one of the many countries that signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), a document that provides a global direction for biodiversity policies. It is dedicated to conserving the world's biodiversity, and promotes the sustainable use and equitable sharing of all biological resources. The Convention sets out the goals, policies and general obligations needed to conserve biodiversity. Under the Convention, all countries are responsible for achieving Convention goals. This can only be achieved if we work together.
The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) was held in Nagoya, Japan from October 18 to 29 in 2010. The meeting achieved three goals: adoption of a new Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 – 2020 and the Aichi Targets, a resource mobilization strategy that provides the way forward to a substantial increase to current levels of official development assistance in support of biodiversity; and a new international protocol on access to and sharing of the benefits from the use of the genetic resources of the planet.
For more information on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, visit: www.biodiv.org.
National Actions
The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy (CBS) was developed in 1995 in response to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). The strategy sets out the measures required to meet the obligations of the Convention, to enhance coordination of national efforts to conserve biodiversity and to use biological resources in sustainable ways.
The CBS recognizes existing constitutional and legislative responsibilities for biodiversity in Canada. It emphasizes the importance of inter-governmental cooperation to create the policy, management and research conditions necessary to advance ecological management.
In addition, the Biodiversity Convention Office of Environment Canada maintains the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network (CBIN). This network covers new developments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. It also provides information on implementing the Convention in Canada through the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy.
Provincial, territorial and federal governments, in cooperation with stakeholders and the public, are committed to implementing the goals and directions of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. For more information on national biodiversity activities, the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network and the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, visit: www.biodiv.org.
Provincial (Ontario) Actions
Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, 2011 (OBS) was developed to support and complement Canada's vision of biodiversity conservation as contained in the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. The strategy aims to conserve Ontario's abundant variety of plants, animals, birds, fish and insects, as well as the forests, wetlands lakes and rivers they inhabit. Ontario is taking steps to ensure that biodiversity will continue to enrich our lives and provide us with clean air and water, as well as the food, fibre, medicine and other biological assets that we require to survive.
Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, 2011 was developed by the Ontario Biodiversity Council which is a group of volunteers from environmental and conservation groups, government, academia, Aboriginal organizations and industry. Implementation of the strategy is designed to engage these same parties and inspire people across the province to support the goals of the strategy through their own actions.
