Montreal, November 24, 2022 – The Collectif COP15 [COP15 Collective], in collaboration with the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and the Maison du développement durable, is unveiling the program for the “Espace Générations vivantes” [Living Generations Space], where nearly 60 events will be held from December 6 to 19, in conjunction with the 15th Conference of the Parties on biodiversity, COP15, in Montreal. Nearly 100 Quebec civil society organizations will be joining forces to raise awareness and mobilize Montreal and the international community regarding the unprecedented loss of biodiversity in Quebec and around the globe. Civil society is committed as never before to making COP15 a turning point for the preservation of biodiversity.

“From December 7 to 19, all eyes will be on Montreal for the biodiversity COP15. This is an unprecedented opportunity to get concrete commitments from governments and businesses and to raise awareness across Quebec regarding the need to protect all life. The “Espace Générations vivantes” will bring together experts, citizens and organizations determined to defend life in all its forms at the Coeur des sciences de l’UQAM and at the Maison du développement durable. During COP15, this space will be the gathering place par excellence to learn more about the biodiversity crisis, to get involved in the transformations that will be needed in all sectors, and to make the protection of nature a fundamental value of our society,” emphasized the Collectif COP15’s representatives, who come from all walks of life.

Programming that tackles the roots of the problem and proposes concrete solutions 

On the periphery of the Palais des Congrès, where the negotiations will be held, the “Espace Générations vivantes” has been created by and for the community and will be open to all, free of charge, without the need for accreditation. Thanks to the diversity of those gathered there, from Quebec, Canada, the First Nations and the international community, the “Espace Générations vivantes” will be a unique gathering place. The events to be held will highlight the linkages between our lifestyles, our economy, and the biodiversity crisis by exploring over-arching themes such as the just transition and mining. These events will highlight the essential services that nature provides, share best practices recommended by First Nations and local communities to protect the land and endangered species, clarify the role of governments (e.g., in land-use planning) and reveal joint solutions to the biodiversity and climate crises.

The programming for the “Espace Générations vivantes” is available on the website of the Collectif COP15. Among the collective’s key events are: an international conference on solutions to the underlying causes of biodiversity loss from December 6 to 8, a mass march in downtown Montreal on December 10, and the Dialogues for Biodiversity, which will explain to the wider public the issues at stake during the COP negotiations.

Mobilization for biodiversity is snowballing

Since its launch on October 27, the Collectif COP15, which unites environmental and conservation organizations, international development agencies, youth groups, Indigenous organizations, unions, financial organizations, philanthropic foundations, and research centres, has welcomed some twenty new collaborators from across Quebec, including universities, business and municipal groups, and conservation organizations.  There are now close to 100 participating and observing organizations working together to seize the opportunity presented by COP15’s arrival in Montreal. 

The program is available on the Collectif COP15 website. 

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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 92 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.

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