2023 R11 – Planning Tools for Habitat Protection

Whereas Vancouver Island communities are facing loss of irreplaceable natural habitat that is crucial to the survival of delicate coastal and land ecosystems, including wildlife and plant life;

And whereas in December 2022, the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF), including four goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government establish a working committee, with local government representation to establish a comprehensive set of urban planning and development guidelines that align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goals and targets, and recommendations to implement this framework to regulate development at the local level in UBCM member communities and combat the loss of natural habitat in BC, with a goal of protecting 30% of natural environment and coastline.