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Towards a
Quebec economy
in harmony with nature
A look back at the day of dialogue on
the economy, biodiversity, and transformative change
The erosion of biodiversity directly threatens our economy and the well-being of our societies.
To address this issue, the Economy, Biodiversity, and Transformative Change dialogue day, held on September 23, 2025, in Montreal, brought together stakeholders from the economic, research, civil society, and government sectors. The goal was to identify levers for change to better integrate biodiversity into decisions and practices in Quebec.
This report provides a summary of the main findings and courses of action identified during the day.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A look back at the day of dialogue on the economy, biodiversity, and transformative change
A strategic day and a follow-up survey
Nearly 100 stakeholders from the economic sector, research, and civil society
More than 12 sectors reflecting the diversity of Quebec society
A primary objective
Mainstreaming biodiversity into the Quebec economy
Outcome
Barriers identified
Several obstacles—political, economic, cultural, and technical—to biodiversity integration have been identified in order to guide priority projects and enable real change.
5 strategic orientations
for cross-sector economic transformation.
Recognizing the urgency of action, taking into account the specific circumstances and capacities of the various actors
Capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and integration into education
Strengthening collaboration between sectors, governments, society, and indigenous peoples
Adopting an integrated approach, considering the interconnection between issues
Recognition of the value of biodiversity, including its economic, ecological, and cultural aspects
30+ solutions
aligned with three of IPBES' transformative change strategies and contributing to the implementation of the other two.
✓ Economic transformations and mechanisms
✓ Change in governance
✓ Changing values and reconnecting with nature
✓ Changes in the most responsible sectors
✓ Conservation and regeneration
Priority solutions
1
Adopt stricter standards and measures for taxation, labeling, and impact reporting to integrate externalities into economic decisions, including the review of subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity.
3
Create an economic innovation zone focused on biodiversity to bring multisectoral collaboration to fruition and test solutions.
5
Integrate biodiversity at all levels of governance, starting with the government setting an example.
7
Integrate the natural assets of private and municipal stakeholders into accounting and planning through a management plan, performance indicators, a budget, disclosure of financial statements, and, where relevant, review municipal taxation to ensure their integration.
9
Strengthen the capacities of decision-making bodies to improve their understanding of biodiversity and systemic analysis, and thus their actions.
2
Improve relations with Indigenous peoples by recognizing their self-determination and supporting reconciliation, as well as their rights, values, and knowledge.
4
Develop ESG indicators accessible to the private sector, highlighting their links and those of their value chain with biodiversity, in order to guide decisions with a positive impact.
6
Integrate biodiversity into school curricula to raise environmental awareness.
8
Bring about a paradigm shift by viewing nature as a strategic investment that secures collective well-being and supports the economy.
WHAT'S NEXT
A desire and a call to act together, with next steps to implement these projects and transform practices.
1 Identify the main players and people in charge of strategic solutions
2 Consolidate and support existing strategic solutions
3 Disseminate and amplify best practices
4 Mobilize and coordinate existing networks
5 Monitor the implementation of strategic solutions
6 Create and strengthen cross-sector working groups
7 Mapping Quebec's ecosystem and biodiversity initiatives
