Canada has unveiled a C$3.8 billion strategy to significantly expand its protected areas, aiming to conserve 30% of its land and oceans by 2030.
The plan includes the creation of new national parks, marine conservation zones, and other protected areas across the country, as part of efforts to address biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
If implemented, the initiative would safeguard up to 1.6 million square kilometers of land and 700,000 square kilometers of ocean, marking one of the largest conservation expansions globally.
Officials say the strategy is designed to protect ecosystems, preserve wildlife habitats, and strengthen natural carbon sinks that play a role in climate regulation.
The move aligns with broader international biodiversity targets, which call for increased conservation efforts to reverse the decline of species and ecosystems worldwide.
However, the expansion may also raise questions around land use, indigenous rights, and resource development, as conservation efforts intersect with economic and community interests.
Environmental groups have broadly welcomed the plan, viewing it as a critical step toward long-term ecological resilience.
The success of the strategy will depend on implementation, funding allocation, and collaboration between federal, regional, and indigenous authorities.
