Article citationsMore>>

Wood, S. K. (2022b). The Promise and Peril of Canada’s Approach to Indigenous Protected Areas. The Narwhal.
https://thenarwhal.ca/indigenous-protected-areas-ipca-hurdles/

has been cited by the following article:

• 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.