TITLE:
Achieving the 30 by 30 Biodiversity Target in Canada through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
AUTHORS:
Keshab Thapa, Shirley Thompson, Stewart Hill
KEYWORDS:
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, Indigenous Peoples, Biodiversity Targets, Conservation, Peatlands, Greenstone Belts, Canada
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.12,
December
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: Canada has committed to the United Nations Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), including protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 while recognizing Indigenous rights. By 2024, Canada has conserved 13.8% of terrestrial and 15.5% of marine protected and conserved areas (PCAs), leaving a major gap in protection. This article posits that Indigenous protected and conserved areas (IPCAs) are the best way to protect an additional 160 million hectares of land and 80 million hectares of sea required to meet GBF target 3 by 2030 and fulfill UNDRIP commitments, and reconciliation promises. We explore this potential by mapping IPCAs against governance, critical habitats for species at risk, peatlands, and greenstone belts. Currently, Indigenous governance is underrepresented; of nearly 15,000 PCAs, only 96 (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and other endangered species.