Action plan the next step on environmental goals

It was a crisp autumn morning at FortWhyte Alive when Premier Wab Kinew and environment minister Mike Moyes unveiled Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero strategy.

The strategy states that “the path to net zero will be anchored by a deep respect for and responsibility to safeguard Manitoba’s environment, thinking ahead seven generations into the future. Reaching Manitoba’s climate and economic goals must be done without compromising the protection of the air, land and waters.”

As Moyes said, it “is not just about reducing emissions, it’s about preserving the land, air and water that sustain us.”

That connection between reducing emissions and protecting nature is at the heart of what it means to build a resilient and low-carbon future.

Manitoba’s new strategy recognizes that we cannot tackle climate change without protecting our forests, wetlands, grasslands and peatlands. They are natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing greenhouse gases while regulating floods, filtering water and providing habitat for wildlife.

It is encouraging to see the province commit to offsetting emissions by protecting these ecosystems, and to work with the federal government on a feasibility study for a National Marine Conservation Area in western Hudson Bay. This could be a historic opportunity to balance economic development at the Port of Churchill with strong protection for nature, culture and all local livelihoods.

As Kinew said, “This is the fundamental idea behind this plan … everything we do is going to have an impact, so along with planning the economic project, let’s also plan for the environmental offset.”

With the enhancement of the port and shipping increases, we need to ensure that we also protect the belugas, the polar bears, the birds and the local communities and cultures that rely on them.

Manitoba has laid out a vision that connects climate and nature. Now, it must show how those commitments will be implemented on the ground.

The Manitoba government’s commitment to protect 30 per cent of our province’s lands and waters by 2030, known as 30×30, is one of the most powerful climate solutions available to us.

Right now, only 11.1 per cent of Manitoba is protected as natural spaces. Closing that gap will require strong leadership, investment and collaboration.

Through our public outreach efforts, we’ve heard from more than 27,000 Manitobans who have called on Manitoba to produce an action plan for nature. Their message is clear: Manitobans want bold action to protect our lands and waters. Establishing protected areas takes time, consultation, research, planning and partnership-building, which does not happen overnight. That is why it is critical that the province release the action plan as soon as possible, so we have time to meet the 2030 target.

To achieve these commitments, Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero must be paired with sustained and sufficient funding. Protecting and restoring nature is not a cost, it’s an investment in clean water, climate resilience and the health of future generations. Budget 2026 is an opportunity to match the level of investment with the scale of the task, supporting conservation, new protected areas and Indigenous-led stewardship.

This is about more than hitting a number. Protecting 30 per cent of Manitoba will safeguard vital carbon stores, keep our water clean and preserve wildlife habitat from the Seal River watershed to the Interlake’s Conservation Areas Initiative, along with the 153 areas of special interest that have waited years for designation. The commitment is there. Now, we need the resources and the road map to make it real.

We know that nature-based solutions are among the most cost-effective tools for tackling emissions and protecting communities. Every dollar spent conserving wetlands and forests, pays back many times over through cleaner water, reduced flooding, food security and climate mitigation.

The Path to Net Zero sets a strong direction for Manitoba, one that aligns our environmental, economic and social goals. The next step is to translate that vision into action plans that lead to tangible progress.

It was impossible not to feel hopeful standing at FortWhyte Alive, surrounded by Manitobans who care deeply about the future of this province. The sun on our faces that day was a reminder of what we are working to protect: a thriving Manitoba where nature and people can flourish together.

Now comes the hard work, turning this vision into action. Manitoba has a chance to show real leadership by ensuring that nature remains at the centre of our path to net zero for our communities, our economy and the generations yet to come.

Ron Thiessen is executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Manitoba chapter.