Biodiversity Politics: Press Release

Ottawa, Canada - October, 2010 - Today, Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced the Government of Canada’s proposed policy on biodiversity. It will govern Canada’s negotiating principles for the 10th Conference of Parties (COP 10) under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) negotiations in Nagoya, Japan. “Effectively addressing global biodiversity loss requires strong, coordinated global action,” said Minister Prentice. “This means returning to the key principles and promises elaborated in the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, where the CBD was first signed.”

At COP 10, the Government of Canada’s position will be guided by four principles. First, Canada will seek agreement on strong, measurable targets with the 193 signatory Parties to the CBD. These include targets to end deforestation, to eliminate subsidies harmful to biodiversity, and to achieve sustainable production and consumption, among others. ...