Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, has unveiled the federal government’s plan to launch its two billion tree initiative in 2021 and the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) applauds this “thoughtful and inclusive approach which will help Canada move to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Canada’s forest sector plants roughly 600 million seedlings every year so we can renew Canada’s forests, build resiliency, and keep our forests as forests forever, FPAC said in a statement.
FPAC supports the government’s plan to plant two billion trees – above and beyond industry’s annual commitments – and sees opportunities to plant these trees in both urban areas, and across northern Canadian forests that have been hit hard in recent years by pests and fire.
“Each and every year, Canada’s forest sector oversees among the most robust tree planting efforts in the world,” said Derek Nighbor, president and CEO of FPAC.
“We have a tried, tested, and true network of partners and world-leading know-how right here in Canada to get large-scale tree planting done right.”
The Government of Canada’s plans to plant two billion trees over 10 years, with an investment of $3.16 billion. Meeting this commitment will help Canada address climate change by reducing carbon pollution and is a key part of Canada’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The government statement says there is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve our forests. Planting trees is a natural climate solution that reduces emissions while providing other benefits such as improved air and water quality, particularly in urban settings; decreased risk of wildland fire to rural communities and support for biodiversity. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve quality of life and form part of our Canadian identity.
“Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It’s a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We’re confronting the urgency of climate change and getting trees in the ground starting this spring,” the Hon. Seamus O’Regan said.
The initiative will also create up to 4,300 good jobs.
