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MONTREAL, Dec. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

The International Conference on the Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss

closed today with the unveiling of The Montreal Call, an invitation to

stakeholders around the world to continue the dialogue on solutions that will

transform an economic model and value system that are damaging nature.

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This event was organized by the Collectif COP15, a collective of Quebec civil

society organizations under the leadership of SNAP Quebec, in response to the

repeated calls by IPBES and the IPCC for urgent systemic changes to the shared

underlying causes of the two major interrelated environmental crises:

biodiversity loss and climate change.

The organizers welcome the progress made during the conference in identifying

solutions to these underlying causes. The Montreal Call is an invitation to

continue this reflection and accelerate it at future COPs, with biodiversity

and climate combined.

Governments, ministers, delegates, Indigenous representatives, and leaders of

multilateral organizations, civil society agencies, youth groups, academic

organizations, foundations and the private sector, as well as citizens, are

invited to publicly express their support for The Montreal Call.

The unveiling was attended by Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante, the Grand Chief of

the Cree Nation Government Mandy Gull-Masty, the Minister of l'Environnement,

de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs Benoit

Charette, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault.

Quotes:

"The decline of biodiversity is critical and requires radical changes in the

way we live and plan our land use. To achieve the ambitious goals that Montreal

has set for itself, we must stand together with the population, business and

institutions. Starting now, decision-makers around the world must protect our

green spaces and create and implement new economic models. The Montreal Call

for Dialogue is a major commitment that will let us accelerate this societal

transition."

– Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montreal

"I am grateful for your contribution and commitment to achieving Quebec's

target of preserving 30% of its territory by 2030. This support is essential

for the biodiversity of our land, and the participation of all stakeholders

will be crucial in the coming years. To achieve our goal, we need all the

actors and stakeholders, because it is through acting together that we will

succeed in achieving our common goal of preserving our biodiversity and natural

abundance. The Quebec government has also given itself the means to achieve its

ambitions with its Plan nature, its plan for nature, which will help build the

Quebec of tomorrow."

- Benoit Charette, minister of l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les

changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Quebec

"There is an urgency to halt and reverse the alarming loss of biodiversity,

worldwide and here in Canada. We need to work together to create positive and

tangible results for nature and people, building on the Government of Canada's

historic investments in nature over the past few years. Montreal's Call is an

important step, encouraging dialogue on solutions to the underlying causes of

biodiversity loss."

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"While COP15 is in full swing, seeking solutions to the decline of

biodiversity, Fondaction continues to maintain an ongoing dialogue with leaders

from various backgrounds. From this dialogue between diverse experts, relevant

and effective solutions are being conceived, which we can then implement in our

respective spheres. This collective and proactive effort will let us inspire,

anchor and accelerate the change movement."

– Genevieve Morin, CEO of Fondaction

"Civil society's leadership during COP15 in opening dialogue on the underlying

causes of biodiversity loss demonstrates that the solutions are also within

human nature. We must take back control of our future and our economy and

elevate the defense of nature to a core value."

– Alain Branchaud, executive director of SNAP Quebec and spokesperson for the

Collectif COP15

INFORMATION

Link to The Montreal Call: https://bit.ly/MTLCall

Share The Montreal Call with #MTLCall

CONTACT: SNAP Quebec, Charlene Daubenfeld, Communications Director, (514)

378-3880, communications@snapquebec.org

SOURCE SNAP Quebec; Collectif COP15