Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to our everyday lives, impacting clean water, air, fertile soil, food, medicine, the global economy and climate control. The climate crisis is affecting biodiversity as events like wildfires become more severe and frequent in Canada and around the world.

“Canada recognizes that biodiversity loss poses a fundamental threat to people, the planet and the global economy. We share the environment and depend on it for our livelihoods, survival and well-being. Canada’s support for Indigenous peoples, women and girls, and all actors working to counter biodiversity loss will help ensure that our communities and ecosystems are resilient and able to thrive.”

- Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

“Today’s new projects further position Canada as a global leader in protecting nature. This funding will help support developing countries, home to most of the world’s biodiversity, with the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and their own national strategies. The fight to protect nature has never been more important than it is right now.”

- Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change 

• Today’s announcement was made during COP16, which is being held from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.

• Five of the 7 projects announced today are funded by the $350 million announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at COP15 in Montréal, Quebec, in December 2022 to support developing countries in advancing biodiversity efforts and the implementation of the KMGBF.

• The Government of Canada delegation at COP16 is calling for rapid global action to protect biodiversity and hosting multiple events, including 3 in partnership with Indigenous leadership, to show the world the importance of collaborating with Indigenous peoples and to highlight successful Indigenous-led conservation initiatives in Canada.

• Other recent announcements that demonstrate Canada’s commitment to gender-responsive biodiversity action include:

  • $15 million over 3 years for Birds Canada to support biodiversity and the health of ecosystems in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Peru through the Conserva Aves initiative
  • $10 million over 2 years for the Global Plastic Action Partnership to support the ongoing development of partnerships in developing countries that tackle plastic pollution and enhance biodiversity
  • $5 million over 2 years for the Global Program for the Blue Economy to reduce marine plastic pollution and preserve marine biodiversity

• Canada was the first donor to contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, announcing its $200-million commitment at the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in Vancouver in August 2023; now, others are joining Canada in the global effort to stop biodiversity loss with additional pledges made on October 28 at COP16. 

Related products

• Backgrounder: Canada announces $62 million for sustaining livelihoods by protecting biodiversity in developing countries

Associated links

• Minister Guilbeault delivers statement on opening day of COP16 in Cali, Colombia
• Canada’s international biodiversity financing
• United Nations Biodiversity Conference: COP16

Olivia Batten
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Olivia.Batten@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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