Indigenous-led conservation in the spotlight at COP15
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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Happy holidays from West Coast Environmental Law! Looking back on a busy year, we are filled with gratitude to be part of a community that shares our goal of transforming the legal landscape in ways that are more sustainable, more democratic and more just.
Most recently, the West Coast team is back from the UN Biodiversity Conference (aka COP15) in Montreal, where we pushed for meaningful action from our governments, and those around the world, to better respect and protect nature.
Growing recognition around Indigenous-led conservation was a major theme at COP15, as more people witness the importance of Indigenous governance and stewardship in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. It was inspiring to connect with others doing this work, and to support our RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water) partners as they
shared with the world how they are revitalizing their laws to protect their territories and ensure abundant ecosystems for generations.
We felt energized by a few key announcements made at COP15 as well – such as $800M in Canadian government funding for Indigenous-led conservation initiatives (including the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network); a new national Indigenous Guardians Network; and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s proposition for a
federal biodiversity accountability law.
Now, with the signing of a new global agreement to protect 30% of the world’s land, water and ocean by 2030 – including explicit recognition of Indigenous peoples’ territories and rights – we’re ready to bring this energy into our work in BC and Canada. In 2023, we’ll continue holding decision-makers to their commitments to ensure that these big promises to safeguard nature are backed by law.
Read about five key priorities that our staff lawyers were advocating for at COP15 – from strengthening marine protection to pushing for a provincial law for biodiversity and ecosystem health, as well as a federal biodiversity accountability law, and more.West Coast will continue to advance these important priorities beyond COP15. Keep an eye out for a future blog post with fuller reflections and takeaways from COP15 in the new year! No Mining Rights Without Consent: A groundswell of support for Gitxaała Nation and mineral tenure reform in BC
Last week, the BC Supreme Court heard arguments from a broad range of groups seeking to intervene in an important case launched by Gitxaała Nation. The case challenges BC’s archaic mineral tenure regime, which grants mineral rights without Indigenous consultation or consent.West Coast is part of Gitxaała’s legal team in the case, and we were in the courtroom to hear why other First Nations, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups and even mining companies are supporting Gitxaała in this ground-breaking legal challenge. Articled Student Shawn Smith shares some highlights from the hearings in our latest blog. The ancestral power of co-learning and collective knowledge
The first retreat for our 2022-23 RELAW Co-learning Program
has wrapped, and it was one to remember! "Indigenous Law in Story" explored how legal principles are expressed through stories, with a focus on laws about international / inter-community relations. We worked with stories to identify key teachings and how they can shape decision-making. Read more about the experience in a blog written by RELAW communications coordinator Summer Tyance. Climate report confirms BC won’t meet targets thanks to LNG Canada
BC's 2022 Climate Accountability Report shows that the province could be on track to meet its climate target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030…if it weren’t for liquefied natural gas (LNG).Unfortunately, emissions from the massive LNG Canada facility mean that BC will miss its targets. Thus continues a tradition of expecting BC residents to do their part while obscuring how certain favoured industries are moving us in the wrong direction, writes Staff Lawyer Andrew Gage. Into the Enforcement Matrix: The problem of repeat environmental offenders in BC
As part of its mandate, the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has set up the Twitter account @ComplianceBC to share environmental violations and penalties levied against polluters, poachers and other offenders.How does BC address non-compliance? Can more be done to dissuade repeat offenders? We dig into this topic in our recent blog. How Crown laws and policy normalize cumulative harm to salmon watersheds in BC: A case study
Pacific salmon hold cultural, social, and economic importance to people and communities across BC. Yet, in many salmon watersheds, crucial habitat areas have been harmfully altered by modern urban and industrial development, and climate change – a “death by a thousand cuts."Our new report explains how existing Crown laws and policies are contributing to the problem, laying the foundation to move forward and retool processes that enable the harm.
Every summer, we welcome a group of law students who get to immerse themselves in the world of environmental and Indigenous law, and work closely with our experts on the most pressing environmental law and climate issues in BC and Canada.
Read what our Summer 2022 law students had to say about their experience, and be sure to apply by January 8th, 2023.
In this season of generosity, please consider West Coast Environmental Law in your holiday giving. You will receive a 2022 tax deductible receipt for any gift you make before the end of this year – allowing us to prepare for what lies ahead in 2023.