The way the Northvolt project is developed contravenes targets included in the global framework for the protection of biodiversity signed in Montreal in 2022, estimate two experts consulted by The duty. The governments of Quebec and Canada are committed to respecting this agreement designed to slow the decline of life on Earth.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in Montreal in December 2022, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15). This agreement, the result of lengthy negotiations, includes 23 targets developed to govern the action of States in the fight against the crumbling of life on the planet, considered a crisis as serious as climate change.
However, the way in which the Northvolt plant project is currently being implemented raises serious questions about compliance with “at least five targets,” underlines Dominique Gravel, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Ecology. integrative at the University of Sherbrooke.
He cites as an example the first target, that is, that which provides for territorial “planning” which makes it possible to “reduce the loss of areas of great importance for biodiversity”. This principle was not respected in the case of the authorizations granted to the Swedish company, he believes.
In their wildlife opinion produced as part of the analysis of the request for authorization to destroy wetlands on the site, experts from the Quebec Ministry of the Environment argued that the land had a “high ecological value”. Their report also concluded that “although partly disturbed, the site offers wooded terrain and numerous wetlands in a highly urbanized and agricultural territory, which gives it good value for wildlife biodiversity”.
However, this land will no longer be able to play this role, since the surface area of “residual” natural environments will “not be sufficient to maintain the essential functions supporting local and regional wildlife biodiversity, in this case avian fauna, turtles and bats”.
Mr. Gravel also refers to the second target, which focuses on the restoration of “degraded” ecosystems in order to improve “ecosystem services” and “connectivity” between natural environments. “This was the case here, since the site was abandoned. I was surprised, as a scientist, by the quality of these environments. It’s as if life really needed these environments, which were colonized in a very short time, and they supported certain species. It is a very eloquent example of the need for these natural environments”, especially in a region where “there are no more”.
In addition, “it represents one of the last natural environments ensuring complementarity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats”, due to its proximity to the Richelieu River, according to experts from the Quebec government.
Species at risk
The specialist in biodiversity issues adds that the development of the project seems to go against the fourth target of the agreement concluded at COP15, in which States undertake to “stop the human-caused extinction of known threatened species and to ensure their recovery and conservation. At least 21 species at risk have been recorded on Northvolt land. “On this site and nearby, there are endangered species. This is the case of the copper redhorse, for whose disappearance we could be responsible. However, there are no measures currently taken for this species,” argues Dominique Gravel.
Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at UQAM, Tanya Handa also judges that current and planned development represents additional risks for certain threatened species.
She cites the case of the authorized destruction of a 1700 m site2 which is habitat for three species of turtles at risk, including the spiny softshell turtle, which is “endangered”. As compensation, however, Northvolt plans to “create a habitat for turtles of an equivalent nature” elsewhere on the site, within the “residual environments”. The company has three years to have its plan approved, which M deploresme Handa. “We are destroying now, and then we are going to recreate habitat. This is worrying, especially since relocation is not a guaranteed winning recipe. »
On this site and nearby, there are endangered species. This is the case of the copper redhorse, for whose disappearance we could be responsible.
The professor adds that states have committed to the global framework on biodiversity to preserve at least 30% of their natural terrestrial and aquatic environments by 2030. “In southern Quebec, we are really below the 30% threshold. . We should therefore aim towards zero loss of natural environments. »
More generally, Tanya Handa insists on the need to see the fight against the climate crisis and the fight against the loss of biodiversity as directly linked issues.
“The spirit of COP15 is that we must tackle the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis at the same time, with the same solutions. This is something that was discussed often during the conference, emphasizing the need for nature-based solutions. Preserving natural environments therefore allows us to preserve biodiversity, but also to fight against the climate crisis and adapt to its impacts. By agreeing to destroy natural environments, including wetlands, we are not favoring this spirit of solutions based on nature. »
Under the authorization granted at the beginning of January by the Legault government, Northvolt will have to propose and have approved within three years a project for the “restoration and/or conservation of natural environments” which could reach a maximum of 500,000 m2 “on an alternative site”, ideally in the same region. The objective is to “minimize the loss of habitats used by wildlife, [dont] species in precarious situations. With regard to the destroyed wetlands, financial compensation of $4.75 million was paid.
Silence of Quebec
Does the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, consider that the Northvolt project, as it is currently being developed, respects the commitments made within the framework of COP15? His office did not respond to this question from Duty, despite several reminders.
The office of the federal Minister of the Environment sent us a statement. “One of the government’s flagship commitments since COP15 is the protection of 30% of lands and waters by 2030, respect for the rights and roles of indigenous peoples and the fight against the main factors of loss of biodiversity, such as pollution and overexploitation of nature. As with any international commitment, provinces and territories have an important role to play in implementing their biodiversity objectives. »
“As part of Northvolt, we recognize that Quebec attracts historic investments from companies around the world. These investments can grow the economy and create good-paying middle-class jobs today and for decades to come. These are encouraging signals,” adds the firm.