Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

The IP Strategy has benefited from an SEA process, which was triggered early in the writing exercise. A focal point for environment was established on the Strategy Development Team, and consultants were hired to provide an independent technical and science based analysis.

The SEA established that climate change is a global challenge that requires global solutions, and that Canada’s historic climate actions at home will not tackle emissions without the full engagement of our Indo-Pacific partners. The Indo-Pacific produces more than half of global emissions and includes many rapidly industrializing economies that will have a significant impact on our shared environment. We need everyone to be part of the solution, and we need to make sure that the move toward a net-zero-emissions economy creates shared economic prosperity.

The same is true in the interconnected work of halting and reversing biodiversity loss, growing sustainable economies and building communities that are resilient in the face of climate change.

The Indo-Pacific is made up of coastal countries. Canada, with shoreline spanning three oceans, is committed to a “blue economy” and has much to share with partners in the region. Canada has significant expertise in underwater mapping and in monitoring oceans through advanced sensing and through real-time satellite images from space—knowledge that is valuable for preserving the health and security of our oceans and valuable for partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Within the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada will work with its partners on fisheries, funding sustainable infrastructure, biodiversity protection and conservation, food security and agricultural technology, energy transitions and climate finance. Canada will also share our expertise on natural disaster resilience and recovery and promote clean technology to prevent and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Canada and the Indo-Pacific will face this challenge together.

The Policy and Program advances on environment and climate in the Indo-Pacific Strategy will allow it to strategically support Canada’s broad environmental objectives, including Canada’s 2030 and net-zero by 2050 emission targets.

All ministerial responsibilities related to the Cabinet Directive for the IPS MC are met.