Terms of Reference - Nature-Based Climate Solutions Advisory Committee

Mandate

The Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCS) Advisory Committee (the Committee) is intended to bring expertise and thought leadership to the Government of Canada’s Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF) initiative. With an understanding of the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, members of the Committee are expected to offer insight and practical considerations to inform:

• the planting of two billion incremental trees over 10 years
• climate-smart ecosystem activities such as improved land management, restoration and conservation of wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands

The objective of the Committee is to provide expert advice to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on program delivery to ensure the achievement of maximum emissions reductions, while also delivering biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits. 

The focus of advice is intended to reflect questions or issues related to program delivery raised by NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC, and may reflect additional questions or issues related to program delivery raised by the Committee itself. The Committee will base its advice on the experience, knowledge and expertise of members, within the NCSF program authorities.

Principles

The Committee’s work and interactions will be guided by the principles set out below. These principles are intended to be cumulative, mutually supportive and of equal value.

• Respect: Respect in words and actions for each other, and appreciation of individual participation in the Advisory Committee process in a manner acceptable among members.
• Cultural Values: Commitment to learn about the distinct cultural values and backgrounds of members; honour common values; including protection of the land, air, and water.
• Trust, Honesty, and Transparency: A relationship of trust, based on honesty, openness, transparency and understanding.
• Collaboration: Collaboration between members and the Secretariat; seek to reach mutual understanding, find solutions and general advice that is reflective of consensus.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: The Committee’s work and advice reflects the diversity of the Indigenous peoples of Canada, including First Nations, the Métis Nation and the Inuit.
• Flexibility and Adaptiveness: Recognize that the Committee and its work and advice will evolve and grow over time, as the relationship with the Secretariat grows and as the work advances.
• Lessons Learned and Best Practices: The Committee’s work and advice is informed by lessons learned; built on best practices and work that has already taken place.
• Communication and Accountability: Members will commit to regular meetings and will respond to any other communication in a timely manner. They will accept responsibility for carrying out assigned roles.

Transparency and reporting structure

The names of Committee members, agendas and summaries of discussions may be made publicly available subject to the approval of members.

The Committee will provide its advice to NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC Assistant Deputy Ministers. This could consist of a list of the recommendations that were brought forward during discussions. Reporting on discussions and advice of the Committee will not attribute advice and views to specific Committee members.

Membership

The Committee will include up to 16 external expert members on NBCS. Expert members will be jointly appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and based on the joint recommendations from the three departments. Assistant Deputy Minister representatives from NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC will be ex-officio members of the Committee.

Experts will participate in their personal capacity and not as representatives of organizations. Every two years after the first year of program implementation, up to a third of the members on the committee will be replaced by new experts, to ensure both diversity of perspectives and continuity within the committee. Government of Canada or other subject matter experts may be called to participate in specific meetings as appropriate to enable the committee to benefit from a range of knowledge, expertise, experience, and perspectives.

The expert members should include, inter alia, members with the following areas of experience, knowledge and expertise:

1. Indigenous leadership or traditional knowledge related to nature-based climate solutions;
2. Expertise with implementation of NBCS or land-based practices for climate change mitigation or adaptation (provincial, territorial, or local governments, industry or non-profit sector);
3. Expertise quantifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of NBCS (academia in Canada or internationally);
4. Expertise assessing or achieving NBCS co-benefits such as for biodiversity and human well-being;
5. Experience in related sectors in Canada or internationally (forestry, land-use planning, ecosystem restoration, agricultural beneficial management practices); or
6. Any other relevant background related to program design and delivery that will bring useful input to the committee related to achieving GHG emissions reductions, as well as human well-being and biodiversity outcomes more generally.

In addition to expertise, the Committee membership should be aligned with principles of diversity and inclusion.

Roles and responsibilities

Expert members of the Committee have a responsibility to NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC and by extension, to Canadians, to give their best advice, in their personal capacity. Other responsibilities include to:

1. be available and prepared to participate in Committee meetings, including email exchanges, conference calls, and videoconferencing;
2. participate in the discussions on the Committee’s recommendations, advice, or report to NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC; and
3. strive to reach consensus in advice provided, or where that is not possible, accurately reflect the diversity of opinion on advice.

The Committee will nominate co-chairs for a period of one calendar year. In addition to all the responsibilities of a member, the co-chairs are responsible for the following:

1. co-chair Committee meetings;
2. facilitate a full and frank discussion among Committee members in fulfillment of the Committee’s mandate, including in formulating its recommendations, advice, and reports;
3. determine the Committee’s meeting agenda;
4. seek consensus on the Committee advice among all Committee members, and if there is not agreement, ensure this diversity of opinion is noted in meeting records or reports; and
5. provide input to the Secretariat on the selection of members, replacement and termination of appointments.

The co-chairs will be supported by a Secretariat. The Secretariat provides a liaison function between Committee members and is fulfilled by NRCan, ECCC, and AAFC. NRCan is the primary contact for the Secretariat.

The Secretariat also provides leadership and strategic advice in the management of the Committee and works closely with the co-chairs/members. In addition, the responsibilities of the Secretariat include:

1. coordinate the member appointment process including advising on membership composition to ensure appropriate representation of expertise and experience;
2. coordinate the preparation of materials for Committee members and meetings, observers, and others, and coordinate the timing of their distribution. This includes the meeting agendas;
3. support public access to information about the Committee, as appropriate;
4. act as a liaison between departments and the Committee, including seeking input from departmental subject-matter experts on scientific, technical, programs, and policy areas; and
5. set clear priorities for the Committee, provide context as well as guidance for the work undertaken by the Committee.

The Secretariat does not undertake research, analysis or report writing for the Committee, but will facilitate outside experts participating in Committee meetings to provide information or external contractors for reporting, as required.

Governance

The Committee will generally meet up to twice per year in plenary format, with the possibility of additional meetings (in plenary or smaller working groups) on an adhoc basis, as needed. Meetings will take place virtually via videoconference or teleconference.

Meeting agendas will be established by the Secretariat for the consideration of the co-chairs. Working groups under the Committee may also be convened to facilitate supplementary dialogue on particular issues as needed. 

Attendance shall be limited to members, without substitution, unless otherwise agreed to by the co-chairs. The Committee may invite additional experts to participate in these working groups as appropriate. 

Meetings are expected to occur virtually. Should any in-person meetings be required, members of the Committee will be eligible for travel-related expenses while on travel status away from their normal place of residence in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive and the Treasury Board Special Travel Authorities, and for any other reasonably necessary incidental expenses.

Quorum

The quorum for any plenary Committee meeting shall be a majority of its membership, including the two co-chairs, at the time of the meeting. If quorum is not achieved, the meeting may continue however decisions cannot be made. These must be deferred to the next meeting, where quorum is present.

Attendance

Committee members are expected to attend a majority of plenary Committee meetings (virtually or in-person) per calendar year. Membership of existing members will be re-evaluated annually. Future participation will be decided by the co-chairs based on past attendance.

Duration

The Committee will be convened for a period of five years, after which its objectives and terms of reference will be re-assessed and revised as needed. 

Conflict of interest

The Committee may be asked to discuss protected or sensitive issues that may create a perceived or real conflict of interest with one or more members.  Members are responsible for disclosing any real or potential conflict of interest to the Chair and may be required to withdraw from such discussions. 

Confidentiality

To encourage continued communication and dialogue that fosters transparency in information sharing between the Committee and the Government of Canada, all parties agree that any information that is not otherwise public, and was received in the spirit of soliciting advice, will be treated as confidential, unless prior agreement to disclose is shared between Committee Members and federal partners.

Remuneration

Advisory committee members serve as volunteers and do not receive remuneration. Exceptions will be considered in the case of Indigenous members.

Changes to the terms of reference

Amendments can be initiated by the Secretariat or the Committee members. These will be discussed with the co-chairs, and subsequently approved by the members. Updated Terms of Reference will be posted on the Committee’s webpage.

Annex 1: Nature-Based Climate Solutions Principles

1. Supplement to GHG emissions reduction: Nature-based climate solutions (NBCS) should be supplementary to, rather than a substitute for, direct GHG emission reductions achieved through the phase-out of fossil fuels.
• To ensure that NBCS deliver on additional avoided emissions and additional carbon sequestration, NBCS targets should be set and managed separately from overall emission reductions targets.

 

2. Permanent emission reductions: With the intent of NBCS being to provide long-lasting and ideally permanent solutions, their adoption should strive for increasing emission reductions across different landscapes, sectors, and ecosystems. While recognizing that flexibility is needed depending on landscapes, sectors and ecosystems, the degree to which permanency is possible will depend on stakeholder interests and available policy tools.

 

3. Protection: NBCS should strive to provide protection for intact natural landscapes or restored ecosystems to maintain the climate and biodiversity benefits they provide. Reducing GHG emissions rapidly and maintaining low levels of emissions over the long term requires healthy and biodiverse ecosystems that have the ability to sequester and store carbon in the short term (by 2030) and in long-term (post 2050).

 

4. Engagement with Indigenous Peoples: NBCS must be implemented with the full engagement and free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in a way that respects their territorial sovereignty, right to self-determination and cultural and ecological rights and responsibilities.

 

5. Dual benefits for climate and biodiversity: Given the potential for some NBCS activities to positively impact biodiversity, and other activities to have unintended negative consequences for biodiversity, NBCS should strive to demonstrate positive outcomes for both climate and biodiversity.

 

6. Solutions across all relevant ecosystems: NBCS are needed across a full complement of relevant terrestrial and aquatic habitat types.

 

7. Transparency – accountability: NBCS should leverage the best available science to provide transparent accounting and regular reporting on climate change and biodiversity benefits.