Montreal, December 19, 2022 – As COP15 comes to an end, Collectif COP15 is proud of the unparalleled mobilization of civil society in support of the preservation of life, and asserts it is determined and inspired to quickly reach positive results. In less than 6 months, more than 100 organizations from all backgrounds have gathered to boost action in response to the unprecedented loss of biodiversity in Quebec and in other parts of the world.

The Collective would like to highlight the fact that the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework is a major breakthrough in stopping the destruction of nature and our ecosystems, and provides an opportunity to transform our connection with nature by 2030. On the other hand, it reminds us how tangible action from our governments is imperative for the implementation of this new framework, and how it should be carried out closely with local communities, including all workers and indigenous peoples. The Global Framework will bring structure to the measures taken by municipal, provincial and federal governments, and those of membership and private organizations as well as citizens’ groups.

“We are leaving COP15 with tremendous momentum for biodiversity with the Kunming-Montreal Framework”, the many diverse Collectif COP15 representatives point out. “The last few weeks have given us opportunities to build strong relationships among civil society organizations, citizens and policy makers, and these connections give us leverage for the next phase. This mobilization is an excellent context to keep gaining ground for the preservation of life. And it must benefit from strong leadership within governments.”

A “Montreal moment” for biodiversity initiated by civil society 

Collectif COP15 successfully raised awareness with a very large number of policy makers and the general public regarding a multitude of issues related to the preservation of life, such as an extensive review of solutions to the underlying causes of biodiversity and climate crises. This analysis will continue over the upcoming years as part of The Montreal Call. Activities planned by the Collective have also enabled the creation and consolidation of relationships between organizations, which will further the ongoing work for the protection of biodiversity.

Collectif COP15 emphasizes the great leadership shown over the last few weeks by the Quebec and Canadian governments, as well as by the City of Montreal and the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, that planned this COP15 eventin Montreal in record time. The Collective also gives a nod to Government of Canada negotiators and Government of Quebec emissaries for the key role they played in the adoption of the Global Framework in Montreal. In addition, it applauds the contribution of municipalities in showing how biodiversity preservation works on a local scale.

The after-COP15 will be very busy

While the financial commitments announced by the Canadian and Québec governments are a significant step in the right direction, the Collective stresses that they are however not sufficient to stop the decline of biodiversity. Collectif COP15 is disappointed that certain flagship issues weren’t part of Government of Quebec announcements, notably:

• Permanent protection of Magpie river, in partnership with local and indigenous communities,
• Modernization of tools used for the preservation of threatened and vulnerable species as well as protection measures for caribou,
• Expansion of the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent marine park,
• Establishment of required mechanisms for a just transition with relevant stakeholders.

“COP15 has helped us achieve important progress”, the many diverse Collectif COP15 representatives say. “Nevertheless, we all agree that efforts must accelerate if we wish to stop the decline in biodiversity, both at the international and domestic levels. The ambition shown by governments must be joined by tangible action. Civil society will be there to pressure governments into walking the talk.”

An unprecedented mobilization for biodiversity

Over the last few weeks, more than 60 events took place at Espace Générations Vivantes, reaching over 4,000 participants in person or online. Among the Collective’s key events, the international conference on the solutions to the underlying causes of biodiversity loss ended with the unveiling of The Montreal Call, supported by the representatives of the City of Montreal, Governments of Canada and Quebec, and Quebec Cree Nation. The March for Biodiversity and Human rights, held by Greenpeace Canada, Global Youth Biodiversity Network and CBD Alliance, gathered more than 3,500 people in the streets of Montreal. It was the first march to take place as part of a biodiversity COP and it was led by many indigenous representatives.

This historic mobilization created a breeding ground to continue the movement for the preservation of life and to hold governments accountable with regard to their commitments. Collectif COP15 organizations highlight how they “will urge governments to take action and will be inescapable when it comes to the implementation of the Global Framework here during the next few years.”

COLLECTIF COP15 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Established in June of 2022 by 104 member organizations, from a wealth of areas including environment and conservation, international development, youth, indigenous organizations, unions, financial organizations, philanthropic foundations and research centres, and 15 observer groups.
• Nearly 60 events at Espace Générations Vivantes (UQAM’s Cœur des sciences and Maison du développement durable), including an international conference on solutions to the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and Dialogues pour la biodiversité
   o Over 4,000 participants in person and online
• The March for Biodiversity and Human rights on December 10 gathering 3,500 people (held in partnership with Greenpeace Canada, Global Youth Biodiversity Network and CBD Alliance)
• The Montreal Call launch, with the support of 80 organizations including the mayor of Montreal Valérie Plante, the Cree Nation government’s Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty, the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks Benoit Charette, as well as the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault.

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About Collectif COP15

Created at the end of June 2022 to respond to the urgent need to act on biodiversity loss, the collective brings together more than 100 organizations from Quebec civil society (environmental and conservation organizations, international development agencies, youth groups, Indigenous organizations, unions, financial organizations, philanthropic foundations and research centres).
The collective is led by a committee of 8 organizations: the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Fondaction, Nature Québec, Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec (RNCREQ), Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac), Réseau des Milieux Naturels protégés (RMN) and CPAWS Quebec, in addition to COPTICOM Stratégies et relations publiques, which is coordinating it.

The Collectif COP15 will be supported financially by the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada and the Echo and Sitka Foundations.

More information: www.collectifcop15.org

CONTACT

Marie-Eve St-Onge
COPTICOM, Stratégies et relations publiques
514-601-5504
mestonge@copticom.ca