2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

Provide, through the Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP), access to science and data related to cumulative effects, including climate change and adaptation

Program:

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources

Performance indicator:

Percentage of Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP) users who indicate they accessed the OSDP to acquire research and knowledge in support of sustainable development

Starting point: New program (0% in April 2023)

Target:

70% annually

NRCan is working in collaboration with ECCC, IAAC, and other departments and agencies to enhance the Open Science and Data Platform. The platform integrates data from NRCan (and from other government departments, provinces, and territories) on forestry, geology, groundwater, and earth observations products such as land cover, and provides Canadians with access to thousands of records of cumulative effects-related data, publications, maps, and information about development activities. Providing access to information relevant to cumulative effects including climate change and development activities enhances Canadians’ trust in our regulatory systems, and climate change and adaptation; as well as supports informed decision-making related to sustainable development.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

GIF Target: 4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

Indicator result:

72%

Notes:

Target exceeded.

Returning users of the Open Science and Data Platform have access to science and data to acquire knowledge and understanding of sustainable development issues. For example, data such as the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program, provides information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues. This includes Canada's conserved areas indicators that report the amount and proportion of Canada's terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area that are recognized as conserved.

Advance the meaningful participation of women and increase inclusion for all underrepresented groups in the clean energy workforce

Program: Energy and Climate Change Policy

Performance indicator:

Number of Canadian signatories to the Equal by 30 Campaign

Starting point:

103 Canadian signatories in April 2023

Target:

125 Canadian signatories by March 31, 2026

The Equal by 30 campaign, led by NRCan, brings together the public and private sector to advance the meaningful participation of women in the energy sector. Signatories to the campaign work to advance gender equality by addressing issues such as equal pay, equal leadership, equal opportunities, inclusive culture, fair management, career development, and workplace safety. Increasing the number of Canadian signatories will create a larger domestic network of governments and organizations working towards a more gender-inclusive and equitable workforce in the energy sector and will showcase Canada’s leadership on this issue.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision-making

CIF Indicator: 5.2.1. Proportion of leadership roles held by women

GIF Target: 5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

Indicator result:

113 Canadian signatories.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

To date, the campaign has enlisted six provincial and territorial governments: Nova Scotia, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

With over 225 signatories worldwide, NRCan constantly embarks on new opportunities to support our signatories with their commitments and engage new signatories in Canada and abroad.

Canada recognizes that creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a net zero future-ready sector, means empowering women to ensure they become active participants in the natural resource sectors.

To ensure that the low carbon energy transition is equitable and inclusive, NRCan jointly leads the Equality in Energy Transitions Initiative, a joint effort between the Clean Energy Ministerial and the International Energy Agency, which works to advance gender equality in the energy sector.

NRCan also leads the Awards & Recognition program under the Equality Initiative, which recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations contributing to a clean energy future while advancing the empowerment of women.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

Canadian Indicator Framework Target 5.3 Greater representation of women in leadership roles

NRCan chairs the Executive Committee of the Equality in Energy Transitions Initiative. The Department is also an active participant in the Initiative’s workstreams, including leading the Equality in Energy Transitions Awards program.

The Awards program recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations from around the world who are contributing to a clean energy future, while advancing the empowerment of women. At the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM15) on September 30 – October 4, 2024, three awards were granted based on an assessment from 25 judges and 173+ nominations. NRCan officials participated in the delivery of these awards at a gender equality event at CEM15. The next awards program will be delivered in 2026, and Canada will collaborate with international partners to make it a success.

Support research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects with financial investments in order to address barriers and create innovative solutions related to renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity.

Program:

Energy Innovation and Clean Technology

Performance Indicator:

Number of new RD&D projects supported^{Footnote 2} related to generation, storage, distribution or management of renewable and non-emitting electricity.

Starting point:
0 as of April 1, 2023

Target:

50 by March 31, 2027

Innovative solutions related to renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity are necessary to develop the technologies and solutions required to achieve Canada’s clean energy ambitions. This departmental action supports the increased participation, collaboration, and investment in RD&D projects related to renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity. Supporting large-scale, complex, cost-intensive, and often high-risk projects is intended to accelerate the development and adoption of technologies in this area. Developing these technologies and solutions will support efforts to improve access to clean energy, and over the longer term reduce GHG emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

CIF Indicator: 7.2.1 Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources

GIF Target: 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Indicator result:

50 projects supported as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target met.

NRCan is funding 50 electricity RD&D projects through the Energy Innovation Program and the Program of Energy Research and Development.

Fund the construction of new renewable energy generation and storage capacity

Program:

Electricity Resources

Performance Indicator:

Megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy generation capacity from projects that received funding from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs)

Starting point:
33 MW as of April 2023

Target:

7,500 MW by March 31, 2036

SREPs supports renewable energy deployment by directly funding smart renewable energy deployment and electrical grid modernization projects, which increases Canada’s renewable energy generation capacity.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

CIF Indicator: 7.2.1 Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources

GIF Target: 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Indicator result:

357 MW total, 92 MW in fiscal year 2024-25.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The indicator result is compiled from the SREPS deployment projects that had achieved a commercial operation date after April 2023.

Accommodate more renewable energy on the electricity grid

Program:

Electricity Resources

Performance Indicator:

Total public and private investment in projects that receive Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program funding

Starting point:

$655 million in April 2023

Target:

$4 billion by March 31, 2029

Funding provided by the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) increases voluntary private investment in clean energy by creating a supportive business environment for projects. In addition, all SREPs’ deployment and grid modernization projects must be capable of providing grid services, increasing the amount of total renewable energy projects the grid can accommodate (i.e. not only projects receiving SREPs funds). This directly supports the goal and the 2030 target to have 90% of Canada’s electricity generated from renewable and non-emitting sources.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.3 Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.3.1 Total energy consumption per capita

GIF Target: 7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Indicator result:

$765 million.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The indicator result includes total public and private investments for SREPs projects that have achieved commercial operation after April 2023.

Continue to advance the capacity building for the renewable energy transition, and generation of energy from renewable sources in Indigenous, rural, and remote communities

Program:
Electricity Resources; Energy Innovation & Clean Technology; Forest Sector Competitiveness

Performance Indicator:

Number of renewable energy and capacity building projects supported^{Footnote 3} in rural, remote and Indigenous communities

Starting point:

0 as of April 1, 2017

Target:

195 by March 31, 2027

Through Wah-ila-toos, NRCan funds projects that support communities to reduce diesel and other fossil fuels use for heat and power through community-driven clean energy solutions. These projects include research and demonstration of emerging technologies, capacity building, and deployment of technologies. These projects also help create new green jobs and local economic opportunities as part of the clean energy transition. This initiative was first established through Budget 2017’s Green Infrastructure funding as the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC). In 2022, NRCan worked with partner departments to develop Wah-ila-toos, a new federal no wrong door access point for remote, rural, and Indigenous communities transitioning to clean energy, which is being used to disburse new funding announced in Budget 2021.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

CIF Indicator: 7.2.1 Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources

GIF Target: 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Indicator result:

229 projects.

Notes:

Target Exceeded.

To date, the CERRC program has supported 229 renewable energy project contribution and grant agreements including capacity building, large capital projects, innovation projects, and bioheat projects in remote off-grid and Indigenous communities across Canada. The 229 includes 39 agreements to support projects under the Indigenous Off Diesel Initiative Program and 7 under Indigenous Services Canada’s Strategic Partnership Initiative Program.

Enhance energy efficiency with increasingly stringent standards under the Energy Efficiency Regulations

Program:

Energy Efficiency

Performance indicator:
Total annual energy savings (petajoules) from regulating the energy efficiency of products

Starting point:
16 petajoules in 2022-23

Target:

77.4 petajoules in 2030

Regulating energy efficiency standards for products used in our homes, and commercial and industrial sectors helps Canadians benefit from lower energy bills associated with higher energy efficiency products and Canada reach its FSDS target. This departmental action builds on earlier regulatory amendments that increased the energy efficiency standards of products that are expected to be in use by 2030.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.1.1 annual energy savings resulting from adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards, and practices.

GIF Target: 7.3 .3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicator result:

Total annual energy savings of 23.2 petajoules in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Support research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects in order to address barriers and create innovative solutions related to the implementation of energy efficient and net-zero energy building technologies

Program: Energy Efficiency & Clean Technology

Performance indicator:
Number of RD&D projects supported^{Footnote 5} related to energy efficient and net-zero energy building technologies

Starting point:
0 as of April 1, 2017

(20 as of April 1, 2023)

Target:

55 by March 31, 2027

Buildings are a key source of greenhouse gas emissions, and investments in RD&D are needed to develop the technologies and solutions required to reduce these emissions, a key element in achieving Canada’s climate goals. Supporting large-scale, complex, cost-intensive, and often high-risk projects is intended to accelerate the development and adoption of energy efficient buildings and building technologies, design, and construction. Developing these technologies and solutions will support efforts to improve energy efficiency in buildings and access to clean energy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition 7.3: Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.2.1 Total energy consumption per capita

GIF Target: 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicator result:

63 projects supported as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target exceeded.

NRCan is funding 63 energy efficient buildings RD&D projects through the Green Infrastructure Energy Efficient Buildings RD&D program, the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Project, the Energy Innovation Program, and the Program of Energy Research and Development.

Improve the energy efficiency of Canadian homes through the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, including the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program

Program: Energy Efficiency

Performance indicator:
Total annual energy savings (petajoules) from the Canada Greener Homes Initiative (including the Canada Greener Homes Grant and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program ^{Footnote 6}

Starting point:
New initiative (0 as of December 2020)

Target:

Up to 10.4 petajoules of total annual energy savings by 2027

The Canada Greener Homes Initiative, launched in 2021, helps homeowners save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing grant and loan funding for eligible home retrofits, including energy efficiency retrofits. NRCan’s components include the Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program. CGHG provides grants of up to $5,000 for retrofits and $600 for EnerGuide evaluations. OHPA provides low-to-median income households with upfront grants to transition off oil to more efficient heat pumps, without the need for an EnerGuide evaluation. Funding of up to $10,000 per eligible household is available, with up to an additional $5,000 to match provincial and territorial contributions via co-delivery arrangements. The Initiative as a whole reduces energy use and provides energy savings while supporting the goal of increasing access to clean energy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.1 Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.1.1 Annual energy savings resulting from adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards, and practices

GIF Target: 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicator result:
Total annual energy savings of 12.5 petajoules in 2024-25 from the Canada Greener Homes Initiative (including the Canada Greener Homes Grant and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.

Notes:

Target exceeded.

Improve the energy performance of industry in Canada by supporting adoption of energy efficiency and energy management solutions through NRCan’s industrial energy efficiency programming

Program: Energy Efficiency

Performance indicator:
Total annual energy savings (petajoules) from NRCan’s industrial energy efficiency programming

Starting point:
4 petajoules in 2017-18

Target:

117 petajoules by 2030

NRCan’s industrial energy efficiency programming helps industrial facilities in Canada to realize energy savings and related cost savings per unit of production, which contributes to competitiveness and sustainability. These savings will support Canada in its efforts to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.1 Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.1.1 Annual energy savings resulting from adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards, and practices.

GIF Target: 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicator result:

Total annual energy savings of 29.5 petajoules in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Improve the energy efficiency of Canada’s homes and buildings through the Codes Acceleration Fund (CAF).

Program:
Energy Efficiency

Performance indicator:
Total annual energy savings (petajoules) through the CAF.

Starting point:
New initiative (0 petajoules in 2022)

Target:

11 petajoules of total annual energy savings by 2030

The Codes Acceleration Fund will improve the energy performance of Canada’s homes and buildings over time as they are constructed to higher performance requirements, contributing to Canada’s total energy savings.

The CAF aims to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the highest feasible energy performance tiers of the national model energy codes (or other high-performance building codes) by authorities having jurisdiction. Additionally, the program aims to promote higher rates of compliance with adopted codes, while supporting stakeholders and preparing the market for ambitious code adoption and implementation.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.1 Canadians reduce their energy consumption

CIF Indicator: 7.1.1 Total annual energy savings resulting from adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards, and practices

GIF Target: 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicator result:

Total annual energy savings of 0 petajoules in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The CAF contributes to broader energy savings from code adoption, implementation, and compliance activities. In 2024-25, total annual energy savings for these code activities totaled 4.6 petajoules. NRCan expects to see higher energy savings from CAF by 2025-26 due to the timing of program delivery, anticipated adoption of higher performance tiers, and the addition of impacts from housing that are not currently reported on.

Provide funding to increase Canada’s clean fuels production capacity.

Program: Lower Carbon Transportation

Performance indicator: Percentage increase in clean fuels production capacity over 2021 levels

Starting point: 79.5 Petajoules in 2021

Target:

By December 31, 2030, a 10% increase in Canada’s capacity to produce clean fuels over 2021 levels

Increasing Canada’s clean fuels capacity requires investment in the private sector. The Clean Fuels Fund supports businesses that invest in building clean fuel capacity, pushing Canada closer to achieving our goal of increasing Canadians’ access to clean energy, and of ensuring we meet our 2030 target of a 10% increase in clean fuels production capacity over 2021 levels.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

GIF Target: 7.1 By 2030, ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services.

Indicator result:

61% increase in clean fuels production capacity from 2021 levels.

Notes:

Target met.

The increase represents 128 PJ of clean fuels capacity as of December 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, the Clean Fuels Fund (CFF) has committed over $486M in funding to support projects and studies across the clean fuels production supply chain.

Support the development and alignment of codes and standards through publications

Program: Lower Carbon Transportation

Performance indicator: Number of publications developed for clean fuels standard development organizations

Starting point: New program (0 in 2022)

Target:

250 publications developed by December 31, 2026

Codes and standards are required to make progress in increasing clean fuels capacity. Publications such as standards documents, technical specifications and enabling research, will ensure the safe production, delivery, storage and end-use of these fuels. Clean fuels will play an important role in meeting Canada’s commitment to emissions reduction.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

GIF Target: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Indicator result:

97 publications have been published as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Through NRCan’s support, 97 documents have been published as of March 31, 2025, including standards, codes, technical specifications, and amendments.

The Canadian Hydrogen Codes and Standards Roadmap has also been released, and it highlights existing gaps in codes and standards along the hydrogen value chain, the priorities of Canadian stakeholders, and proposed actions to address gaps in the short- and medium-term.

9 research reports were completed with several specific to hydrogen production, delivery and end-use.

Support research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects in order to address barriers and create innovative solutions related to clean fuels and industrial fuel switching

Program: Energy Innovation & Clean Technology

Performance indicator: Number of new RD&D projects supported^{Footnote 7} related to clean fuels and industrial fuel switching

Starting point: 0 as of April 1, 2022

Target:

55 as of March 31, 2027

Canada’s transportation and industry sectors are currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Investments in RD&D are needed to develop the technologies that will enable Canadians to switch to clean energy alternatives (low- and zero-carbon fuels), thereby decarbonizing these sectors and helping Canada achieve its climate goals. This departmental action supports increased participation, collaboration, and investment in clean fuels RD&D projects. Supporting large-scale, complex, cost-intensive, and often high-risk projects is intended to accelerate the development and adoption of clean fuels. Developing these technologies and solutions will support efforts to increase access and adoption of clean fuels, and over the longer term reduce GHG emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

CIF Indicator: 7.2.1 Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources

GIF Target: 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

Indicator result:

52 projects supported as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

NRCan is funding 52 clean fuels and industrial fuel switching RD&D projects through the Energy Innovation Program and the Program of Energy Research and Development.

Report and track progress on the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada.

Program:

Lower Carbon Transportation

Performance indicator:

Number of reports tracking and monitoring progress on the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada

Starting point:

New initiative (0 in 2021)

Target: Develop a report every four years. The first report was published in 2024, with the second report by 2028.

The Hydrogen Strategy for Canada will help the country on its path to meet climate change goals of net-zero by 2050 by reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. Tracking and monitoring progress on the Hydrogen Strategy will not only allow for understanding and addressing the challenges of growing, distributing, and using this new clean energy source; but it will ensure Canada is on track to meet its ambitions of increasing the availability of clean fuels.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 7.2 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

CIF Target: 7.2.1: Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources

GIF Target: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Indicator result:

The first progress report was published on May 10, 2024.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The second report will be published by 2028.

The updated Hydrogen Strategy - Progress Report was published in May 2024 and includes results of progress on the 32 recommendations of the strategy since 2020, including reporting on:

• Status of the Canadian hydrogen industry, including key industry developments in hydrogen production, end-use and jobs creation.
• Federal and provincial policy and regulatory updates, including establishment of Clean Hydrogen, Clean Technology Manufacturing and Clean Technology Investment Tax Credits, Clean Fuels Fund and other funding measures; and,

Next steps, including 4 key priority areas of focus moving forward:

• De-risk high impact production projects
• Achieve scalable hubs and strategic corridors
• Codes and Standards
• Awareness and market data

To supplement progress in advancing the hydrogen strategy for Canada, NRCan published the Canadian Hydrogen Codes and Standards Roadmap in January 2025. The roadmap supports regulatory harmonization to accelerate market adoption and reduce barriers to hydrogen project development.

Canada will continue to engage with the global community, including through various international fora such as the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation (CEM/MI, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to support the development of, access to, investment in, and use of clean energy and enabling technologies. For example, Canada has pledged 8 million dollars in financial support to the Clean Energy Transitions Programme. Canada has also continued to play a leading role in shaping organization activities and ensuring delivery of IRENA’s mandate as a member of the IRENA council; co-leading the Global Platform for Transitioning Remote Communities to Renewable Energy; and participating in the Global Geothermal Alliance.

Canada is also engaged in the International Energy Efficiency Hub, the IEA Energy Efficiency Working Party, the IEA’s User-Centered Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Program (TCP), the Energy Efficient End-use Equipment TCP, and the UN Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction Steering Committee. Through these multilateral fora, Canada collaborates with partners and exchanges information and best practices about energy efficiency and the clean energy transition.

At COP28, Canada and over 130 other countries, signed the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, a commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Canada also joined the Buildings Breakthrough, which aims to achieve near-zero emissions and resilient buildings by 2030.

Canada also works with domestic and international partners on the development and deployment of nuclear technologies that provide a safe, secure and reliable non-emitting source of baseload energy in Canada and globally.

NRCan has taken various steps to continue strengthening the role of nuclear energy in Canada’s clean energy transition. In February 2023, NRCan launched the Enabling SMRs Program providing $13.6 million in funding for nine projects to strengthen Canada’s SMR supply chain. Additionally, in partnership with NSERC, NRCan is co-funding 15 projects at Canadian universities. NRCan announced an investment up to $50 million through the Electricity Predevelopment Program in April 2024 to support Ontario’s nuclear energy expansion at Bruce Power’s existing Bruce site.

On the international front, NRCan is engaging with various partners in multilateral fora to advance nuclear energy development and deployment in support of achieving the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For example, NRCan supports Canada’s membership and active participation in the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). NRCan helps shape these bodies’ strategic objectives and priorities, with both leadership and active participant roles.

Canada is also part of the Sapporo 5 – a coalition of nuclear energy nations (Canada, Japan, France, the UK, and the U.S.), formed under the G7 framework. This group aims to strengthen global nuclear fuel supply chains and to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear materials. At COP28, Canada joined over 20 countries in a commitment to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. This initiative aims to help achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and keep the 1.5°C temperature rise goal within reach.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Targets:

7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and

7.a By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Targets:

7.1.1 By 2030, 600 petajoules of total annual energy savings will be achieved as a result of the adoption of energy efficiency codes, standard sand practices from a baseline savings of 20.0 petajoules in 2017 to 2018

7.3.1 By 2030, 90%, and in the long term 100%, of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources

Canadian Ambitions:

7.1 Canadian Ambition: Canadians reduce their energy consumption

7.3 Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

Domestic policy action

• The Government of Canada launched Powering Canada’s Future: A Clean Electricity Strategy in late 2024 outlining its strategy for building more clean electricity.
• Canada and IRENA, enhanced international cooperation as part of the Global Initiative for Transitioning Remote Communities to Renewable Energy, co-organized a side event and a technical discussion on Leaving no one behind: Renewable Energy Solutions for Remote and Underserved Communities at the Canada Pavilion at COP29 on November 15th, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• On the international stage, NRCan helped launch the joint Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and Mission Innovation (MI) Gigatonne by 2030 Campaign, which aims to advance the CMC goal and increase awareness of carbon management within the global clean energy community. In addition, NRCan co-led a new MI initiative – the first SMART Carbon Dioxide Removal Student Competition to promote advancement of monitoring, reporting and verification technologies. Under the MI Green Powered Future Mission co-led by NRCan, the Department funded a Canadian project as part of the “5 Demos in 5 Continents” initiative to demonstrate that power systems can integrate up to 100% variable renewable energy while maintaining cost-efficiency, security and resiliency.
• In February 2025, on the margins of the International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference, Canada announced an additional $500,000 for Phase II of the Global Initiative for Transitioning Remote Communities to Renewable Energy to continue supporting remote and rural communities around the world with their energy transition.

Energy Efficiency:

• Canada continues to play an active role in the international energy efficiency space by engaging in international multilateral fora such as the International Energy Efficiency Hub, including by participating in the Steering Committee. In the IEA Energy Efficiency Working Party (EEWP) and the IEA’s User-Centered Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Program (Users TCP), Canada holds an elevated leadership role as of 2023-24 through the Director General of Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) who occupies the vice-chair position in the EEWP, and a Senior Director in OEE who is currently chair of the Users TCP.
• Canada also continues to engage in the Energy Efficient End-use Equipment (4E) TCP through participation by a Deputy Director in OEE. Outputs of the 4E TCP inform Canada’s energy efficiency equipment policy and regulations, which in turn supports Canadian ambition 7.1: Canadians reduce their energy consumption
• Canada is a member of the GlobalABC, which is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme. Through NRCan, Canada continues to provide support through in-kind policy expertise and financial contributions for secretariat activities (e.g., the development of global status reports and the coordination of the Buildings Breakthrough). The Buildings Breakthrough continues to advance key priorities on standards and certifications, demand creation, finance and investment, research and deployment, knowledge and skills, and landscape coordination. NRCan is a member of the working group on standards and certifications, which is wrapping up consensus work on definitions and principles for near-zero emission and resilient buildings. Progress on Buildings Breakthrough priority actions is tracked through annual reporting and international dialogues, including COP.

Nuclear:

• To support provinces and territories to develop and deploy Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of their decarbonization and economic development plans, the SMR Program successfully allocated $28.6 million in funding to 15 regionally-distributed projects, including one Indigenous-led project.
• In 2024-25, NRCan contributions have enabled collaborations between nuclear industry stakeholders in Canada are advancing knowledge and understanding of SMR waste and SMR manufacturing and fuel supply chains.
• In September 2024, leaders from the Sapporo 5 met in Vienna on the margins of the 68th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference and announced that they have successfully exceeded the target of USD 4.2 billion in government-led and private investment in enrichment and conversion capacity, with USD 5.6 billion mobilized to date.
• NSERC and NRCan are co-funding 15 research projects in support of SMRs through NSERC’s Alliance grants program. These projects will address issues ranging from developing SMR waste management solutions to facilitating supply chain development for SMR manufacturing.
• NRCan supported Canada’s membership and active participation in the NEA through committees such as the Steering Committee (the decision-making body of the NEA), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC), the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM), the Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC), and chaired the Working Group on Small Modular Reactors Economics (SMR-ECON).
• In 2024, Canada, through NRCan grant funding, contributed €100,000 (approx. $150,000 CAD) to support the NEA’s Accelerating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to Net Zero initiative. NRCan leads Canada’s participation at the Roadmaps to New Nuclear Ministerial conference and participated with high-level representation in 2024 and planning participation for September 2025. Participation in this initiative is allowing Canada to work with other countries in a multilateral forum on issues related to new nuclear deployment.
• NRCan is the Implementing Agent for the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) treaty-level Framework Agreement and participated in the negotiation of a new Agreement, which came into effect in March 2025. Canada signed in January 2025, and ratification is currently in progress.
• As G7 President in 2025, Canada is advancing the secure and responsible growth of nuclear energy as a key pillar of global energy security. This leadership is reflected in the prioritization of nuclear energy at the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers Meeting and through Canada’s hosting of the second meeting of the G7 Working Group on Fusion Energy. These efforts complement international initiatives to strengthen nuclear fuel supply chains, reduce reliance on unreliable partners, and align with Canada’s endorsement of the COP28 declaration to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Establish joint partnerships with provinces and territories– in collaboration with Indigenous partners and with the input of key stakeholders – to identify and accelerate opportunities for transforming Canada’s traditional resource industries and advancing emerging ones for a low carbon future

Program: Energy and Climate Change Policy

Performance indicator:

Number of completed Collaboration Frameworks/roadmaps or other bilateral collaborative plans that include input from Indigenous and other regional partners and for which implementation is underway

Starting point: New Program (0 as of 2022)

Target:

13 by March 31, 2025

The Regional Energy and Resource Tables (Regional Tables) are a key part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to ensure Canadians reap the economic benefits of climate action. The Tables will align regional priorities, funding and financing opportunities, and policy and regulatory approaches to accelerate economic activity and position every region in Canada to lead in areas where they have, or can create, comparative advantage in the low carbon future. By working collaboratively from coast to coast to coast, this work will encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth, across all provinces and territories.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 8.5 Canadians contribute to and benefit from sustainable economic growth

GIF Target: 8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.

Indicator result:

Four Collaboration Frameworks have been released as of March 31, 2025. Additionally, a new Regional Energy and Resource Table was established with Nunavut on May 23, 2024, and an alternative mechanism with Quebec, Table de Collaboration Québec-Canada in February 2025.

Notes:

Target not met.

The initial target of 13 completed Collaboration Frameworks was not achieved due to various external factors, such as changes in governments and shifting priorities at federal, provincial and territorial levels.

The broader departmental action to establish joint partnerships with provinces and territories was achieved. To date, Regional Tables are underway in 10 provinces and territories: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. In addition, alternative approaches focusing on federal-provincial collaboration have been established with Alberta and Quebec.

Undertake comprehensive action to support the future and livelihood of workers and their communities in the transition to a low-carbon economy via the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act

Program: Energy and Climate Change Policy

Performance indicator:

Implementation of the Government’s proposed Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act via three elements of legislation: establishing a Partnership Council, a Secretariat, and a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan

Starting point: New initiative (0 of 3 elements of legislation completed)

Target:

Completion of 3 elements of legislation by March 31, 2026

The Government passed sustainable jobs legislation in June 2024 to establish a federal governance, engagement, and accountability framework to advance economic prosperity and ensure workers benefit from the opportunities presented by a low-carbon economy. The Government has established a Secretariat to lead its sustainable jobs approach, and the process of appointing members of the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council is underway. The Councill will provide independent advice to Government on sustainable jobs measures; create a Secretariat to lead the Government’s sustainable jobs approach; and release a Sustainable Jobs Action Plan every five years beginning in 2025. These mechanisms will ensure that government decision-making is informed by the perspectives of workers, communities, and other stakeholders and partners as Canada shifts to a low-carbon economy, fostering equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: 8.4 Canadians have access to quality jobs

Indicator result:

2 elements completed.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council was established in early 2025, and 10 members – including two co-chairs – have been appointed by the Governor in Council following an open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process. The Council has begun its work, with engagement expected to begin in September 2025.

The Sustainable Jobs Secretariat within NRCan has also been established and is carrying out its duties under the Act, including providing support for newly appointed Partnership Council Members.

Work has begun on the 2026-2030 Sustainable Jobs Action Plan. According to the Act, this plan must be prepared by December 31, 2025, and tabled in Parliament within the first 15 sitting days of 2026.

Deploy new zero-emission vehicle infrastructure^{Footnote 10Footnote 11}

Program:

Low Carbon Transportation

Performance indicator:

Number of low-carbon recharging and refueling stations completed

Starting point:

As of March 31, 2023, the program has funded projects that will result in a total of 42, 366 new chargers and 26 new hydrogen stations being built. This includes 4, 108 chargers that are open to the public.

Target:

By March 31, 2027, contribute to the deployment of 84,500 new zero-emission vehicle chargers and 45 hydrogen refuelling stations.

The department is working to support the deployment of new zero emission vehicle infrastructure. Availability of this infrastructure is a key action and that will contribute to the availability and use of electric and hydrogen vehicles by Canadians. This work to deploy zero emission vehicle infrastructure will directly contribute to reaching the target of having 50,000 new electric vehicle chargers for a total of 84,500 electric vehicle chargers and 45 hydrogen refueling stations completed. This deployment also supports the overall goal of fostering innovation and particularly green infrastructure in Canada.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: 9.6 Canadians have access to modern and sustainable infrastructure

CIF Indicator: 9.6.1 Number of publicly available electric vehicle charging and alternative fuelling stations in Canada

GIF Target: 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

Indicator result:

As of March 31, 2025, the Government of Canada has selected for funding 59,719 electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and 33 hydrogen refuelling stations.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

NRCan has selected for funding 54,219 EV chargers and 13 hydrogen refuelling stations. Of these, 27,197 EV chargers and 8 hydrogen refuelling stations are in operation.

Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative announced investments in up to 5,500 EV chargers and 20 hydrogen refuelling stations. 46 EV CIB supported chargers are in operation.

Support research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects to address barriers and create innovative solutions related to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)

Program: Energy Innovation and Clean Technology

Performance indicator: Number of new CCUS-related RD&D projects supported^{Footnote 12}

Starting point: 0 as of April 1, 2022

Target:

85 by December 31, 2026

CCUS technologies are generally still at an early adoption stage and not yet widely deployed. Investments in CCUS innovation are necessary to deliver on the promise of CCUS to enable large-scale greenhouse gas reductions in Canada and worldwide. This is especially important in sectors such as cement, iron and steel, chemicals and gas-fired power, which will require considerable R&D as well as demonstration at field and pre-commercial scales. This departmental action supports increased participation, collaboration, and investment in CCUS RD&D projects. Supporting large-scale, complex, cost-intensive, and often high-risk projects is intended to accelerate the development and deployment of CCUS. Developing these technologies will support the development and deployment of CCUS, and over the longer term reduce GHG emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 9.1 Canada fosters sustainable research and innovation

CIF Indicator: 9.1.1 Proportion of innovation in environment-related technology

GIF Target: 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

Indicator result:

99 projects supported as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target exceeded.

NRCan is funding 99 CCUS RD&D projects through the Energy Innovation Program and the Program of Energy Research and Development.

Continue to implement the Clean Growth Hub’s mandate to help clean technology stakeholders navigate federal programs and initiatives that support innovation

Program:

Internal Services

Performance indicator: Percentage of surveyed Clean Growth Hub clients satisfied with the quality of the Clean Growth Hub’s service

Starting point: 70%

Target:

70%

Together, NRCan and ISED co-lead the Clean Growth Hub, made up of 17 departments and agencies to provide a single point of contact for clean technology innovators. By helping clean technology stakeholders understand the federal system of supports, the Clean Growth Hub supports innovative technologies from the laboratory to market.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

GIF Target: 9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

CIF Ambition: Canada fosters sustainable research and innovation

Indicator result:

70%

Notes:

Target met.

Results were collected from the Clean Growth Hub’s 2024 Client Satisfaction Survey.

NRCan fosters innovation and continual uptake of advanced geospatial technologies, policies, standards, and methods in data acquisition, processing, and dissemination. NRCan achieves advances in spatial data infrastructure, AI-assisted mapping and modelling, earth observation (EO) ground infrastructure, EO data collection, and resulting core geospatial data through collaborative partnerships with private, public, and Indigenous organizations. Results are freely shared, feeding downstream innovation and development of value-added products among public, academic, and private sectors.

NRCan leads in creating foundational geospatial data, which provides a reference framework and geographical context for analyzing climate change. The most downloaded geospatial dataset under OpenCanada is its high-resolution digital elevation model (HRDEM) alongside various elevation products, authoritative freshwater data like Canadian Hydrospatial Network, and has created a collection of geographic features using artificial intelligence (GeoAI). The Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is a vital collaboration that helps provide key spatial data and essential digital infrastructure for the North. All these ongoing initiatives enable richer analysis, better-informed decision-making, and more effective actions by governments, the private sector, academia, and citizens.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Ambition: 9.1 Canada fosters sustainable research and innovation

Some highlights and results of the core foundational products noted include:

• Airborne lidar data covering 99 of Canada’s 100 largest cities, and 238 of Canada’s 250 largest cities available in the HRDEM and HRDEM Mosaic products.
• The data covers areas where over 94% of Canada’s population lives (about 39 million Canadians).
• A new medium resolution digital elevation model (MRDEM) offers a complete coverage of Canada.
• Using GeoAI and automatically extracting over 12.9 million building footprints from lidar data.

Published AI-extracted data under the GeoAI - GeoBase Series, bringing total of published datasets since October 2023 release to 285,000 km2.

GEO.ca provides Canadians with over 84,500+ authoritative geospatial data and earth observation datasets. With 40+ Federal, Provincial and Territorial contributors, GEO.ca aims to empower users by providing access to open data, applications, maps, and other valuable resources. Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, GEO.ca enhances the search and discovery of datasets.

In support of Arctic SDI, created a seamless Pan-Arctic Wetlands Inventory dataset derived from satellite imagery AI and cloud computing methodology. Indicates that wetlands cover 20% of the Arctic (~2.9 million km²). This represents a baseline product that will support sustainable management of wetlands across the Arctic for environmental and societal benefits. Dataset will be made publicly available in 2025-2026.

Supporting Justice Canada in the implementation of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan through engagement with industry stakeholders, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous

Program: Nòkwewashk

Performance indicator:

Percentage of new legislation/regulations and legislative/regulatory amendments assessed for consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration)

Starting point: New initiative (0% in April 2023)

Target:

100% by March 31, 2027

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act requires the Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, to “take all measures necessary to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the Declaration (section 5), prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the Declaration (section 6), and develop annual reports on progress and submit them to Parliament (section 7). To advance reconciliation and reduce inequalities, NRCan will continue to support Justice Canada in implementation of the UN Declaration Act Action Plan by consulting with Indigenous Peoples and engaging with Indigenous organizations and industry stakeholders; by feeding into the whole-of-government progress reports; and by taking measures to ensure that existing laws and future laws reflect the rights and principles of the Declaration.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 10.2 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

CIF Indicator: 10.2.1 Proportion of the population reporting discrimination or unfair treatment

GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and actions in this regard.

Indicator result:

100%

Notes:

Target met.

In 2024-2025, two NRCan-led bills (Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada—Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and Bill C-50, Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act) received royal assent.

Further, 9 regulations made it to the Canada Gazette, Part 1 or Canada Gazette, Part 2. These regulations included the Order Amending the Schedule to the Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act, the Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013, the Ministerial Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations, 2016 (MA1, MA2, and Amendment 18), the Canada Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Petroleum Operations Framework Regulations, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Operations Framework Regulations, and the Regulations Amending the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations.

Each of these legislative and regulatory initiatives were assessed for consistency against the UN Declaration.

The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP) is working to advance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the minerals and metals sector. By exploring opportunities for increased Indigenous procurement and business activity in the mining sector, which generates own-source revenues, the CMMP supports economic reconciliation.

In 2024-25, this includes the organization of a webinar and release of three case studies on procurement best practices to complement the Local Procurement Checklist to Support Indigenous Procurement in Mining that was released in March 2024. These resources support local Indigenous entrepreneurs to better harness procurement opportunities and benefit from mining activity around their communities.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Ambition 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

In 2024-25, the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan developed and launched tools to encourage greater Indigenous participation in the minerals and metals sector with emphasis in the areas of procurement and economic development.

1) Webinar on the Local Procurement Checklist and Community Guidance to Support Indigenous Procurement in Mining, which supports mining and exploration companies in implementing effective strategies to support Indigenous-owned businesses, while also providing guidance to local and Indigenous entrepreneurs. The webinar was held in October 2024 and provided an in-depth overview of the Checklist by its creators, covering how it can be used to support Indigenous entrepreneurs, and provided an opportunity for businesses and communities to ask questions to procurement experts. The webinar is now available on MinesCanada.ca.

2) Case studies in collaboration with Mining Shared Value on Indigenous procurement best practices in the minerals and metals sector, including interviews with leading Canadian mining companies. The best practices will be published in 2025-26.

Improve management of the disposal of non-hazardous operational waste in NRCan’s operations

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator:

Percentage of non-hazardous operational waste (by weight) diverted from landfills

Starting point:

69% in 2022-23

Target:

75% by March 31, 2030

NRCan's non-hazardous waste diversion operations support the departmental and government-wide commitment to transition to greener operations. Actions include conducting regular waste audits to track results and reviewing and evaluating recommendations for continuous improvement as part of NRCan's Greening Strategy, currently under development.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

CIF Indicator: 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita

GIF Target: 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse

Indicator result:

58% as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Results may vary from a year to another depending on the number, period and duration of waste audits.

Transform the federal

light-duty fleet

Continue to support the implementation of a federal action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal buildings and fleets

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator:

Percentage of light-duty NRCan fleet vehicles that are zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)

Starting point: 10% ZEV or HEV as of March 31, 2023

Target:

100% ZEV or hybrid by 2030

NRCan will leverage its long-term fleet portfolio plan in place to guide the long-term cyclical conversion of existing fleets towards zero emissions inventory by 2030.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

CIF Indicator: 12.1.1 Zero-emission vehicles represent 10% of new light duty vehicle sales by 2020, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2040

GIF Target: 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Indicator result:

27% ZEV or HEV as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Encourage new procurement employees to complete the optional Green Procurement course

Program:

Internal Services

Performance indicator:

Percentage of employees in procurement who have completed training on green procurement

Starting point: 64% as of March 31, 2023

Target:

90% by March 31, 2024

NRCan’s action supports the Policy on Green Procurement by promoting the protection of the environment and supporting sustainable development through the integration of environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process. Additionally, the NRCan Greening Strategy currently under development will include provisions to strengthen green procurement policies.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 12.2 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

CIF Indicator: 12.2.1 Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices

GIF Target: 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Indicator result:

100%

Notes:

Target met.

NRCan continues to request that all new employees in procurement under the PG designation complete the Green Procurement course.

Unlock funding announced in Budget 2022 to implement the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy

Program:

Provision of Federal Leadership in the Minerals and Metals Sector; Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources; Green Mining Innovation; Indigenous Partnerships Office

Performance indicator: Increase in domestic mineral production of key critical minerals

Starting point: 2022 production levels for 19 critical minerals that Canada produces and for which data are available (aluminum, cobalt, copper, fluorspar, germanium, graphite, indium, lithium, magnesium, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, platinum group metals, potash, scandium, tellurium, titanium, uranium and zinc).

Target:

By December 31, 2030, 60% of key critical minerals increase production by 10% or more compared to 2022 baseline.

The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy seeks to increase the supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals and support the development of domestic and global value chains for the green and digital economy through a range of initiatives that span the entire value chain, from exploration to mining to recycling. Critical minerals are the building blocks for the green and digital economy. They are used in a wide range of essential products, from mobile phones to solar panels, electric vehicle batteries to medical and healthcare devices, to military and national defence applications. Without critical minerals, there can be no green energy transition for Canada and the world. By investing in critical minerals today, we are building a sustainable industrial base to support emission-reducing supply chains that will address climate change for generations to come (e.g., net-zero energy and transportation systems).

Relevant targets or ambitions:

GIF Target: 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Indicator result:

47%

(9 of 19) key critical minerals increased production by more than10%).

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

In 2024, 47% (9/19) of the critical minerals had increased production by 10% or more from the baseline. Critical minerals with production increases of 10% or more included:

• Aluminum
• Graphite
• Lithium
• Magnesium (magnesite)
• Molybdenum
• Niobium
• Platinum group metals
• Scandium; and
• Uranium.

The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP) calls for greater collaboration between governments and industry to reduce waste and support the circular economy. Through the CMMP strategic direction on the Environment, NRCan supports actions that contribute to sustainable consumption and production patterns, while positioning Canada as a reliable, sustainable, and responsible source of natural resources.

In 2024-25, this includes commissioning a research study on silica production, Canadian markets, and specifications for end-user applications and potential for extracting silica from mine tailings to advance mine tailings reprocessing and foster a circular mining economy. This also includes hosting the 2nd Annual Orphaned and Abandoned Mines workshop to foster information sharing and collaboration between governments, industry, and other stakeholders, including on mine waste valorization and economic opportunities associated with mine reclamation to support sustainable and circular consumption.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

CIF Ambition: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

Develop an operational greening strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from NRCan’s buildings and fleets

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator:

Percentage reduction in equivalent greenhouse gas emissions from NRCan facilities and fleets compared to 2005-06 baseline

Starting point: 43.5% as of March 31, 2023 (preliminary results)

Target:

40% by 2030^{Footnote 13}; 90% by 2050

The Departmental Greening Strategy, currently under development, will advance creation and implementation of a roadmap and action plan to achieve multiple greening targets, including greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience and other greening metrics in the Greening Government Strategy. This work will be integrated into the long-term portfolio strategies for buildings and fleets.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

CIF Target: 13.1.1 By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions

GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Indicator result:

48.1% as of March 31, 2025.

Notes:

Target met.

A plan is being developed to implement energy performance studies that will make future investment recommendations on areas to achieve additional GHG savings mid to long term within the portfolio.

Incorporate and strengthen the consideration of climate change in business continuity planning, departmental risk planning or equivalent processes, and program design and delivery considerations

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator:

Integration of climate change risks and considerations in the management of Real Property Portfolio and in departmental services and operations.

Starting point: 2 Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRIVA) as of March 31, 2024

Target:

9 CRIVA completed by March 31, 2027

Consistent with the Federal Adaptation Policy Framework, NRCan will continue to improve its understanding of and take action to reduce the operational and program delivery risks and impacts posed by climate change. Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments are key studies which inform departmental business continuity planning, annual building management reinvestment planning and prioritization, real property and environmental management policy frameworks, and program research in general.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Indicator result:

1 CRIVA completed.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Facilitate provision of geospatial data to support national and international emergency management efforts

Program: Core Geospatial Data

Performance indicator: Percentage of responses to requests for geospatial data through International Charter: Space and Major Disasters

Starting point: 100% in 2019-20

Target: 100% in

2023-25

Satellite Earth observation uses satellites to gather information about the Earth’s oceans, land, climate and populated areas. Satellite geospatial data are critical to taking action on and adapting to climate change by enabling applications and services in many areas that support the health and well-being of Canadians. Satellite Earth observation also provides vital information to support climate science and modelling. The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters is a worldwide collaboration which provides for the charitable and humanitarian acquisition and transmission of satellite data to relief organizations in the event of major disasters.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

GIF Target: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptative capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Indicator result:

100%

Notes:

Target met.

Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation

(CCMEO) ground stations responded to 79/79 charter activations.

Enhance logistics support through the Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP) for scientific research conducted in the Canadian Arctic

Program: Polar Continental Shelf program

Performance indicator: Number of scientific publications acknowledging Polar Continental Shelf Program support

Starting point: PCSP support was acknowledged in 144 publications in 2022

Target:

135 annually

The logistics support provided by the Polar Continental Shelf Program for field research in the Arctic regions of Canada contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the northern most parts of Canada. With increased scientific information, Canadians can make informed decisions to help reduce the impacts of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

GIF Target: 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator result:

114 publications.

Notes:

Target not met.

The drop in publications is attributed to two reasons. First, the lingering effects of the global COVID-10 pandemic which prevented fieldwork for two years, delaying data collection, reducing research output and causing a backlog in the peer review and publication processes. Second, new methods of publication count. In 2019-2022 the publication count came from Web of Science, starting in 2023 PCSP now uses SCOPUS which uses a different methodology.

Support the development of technologies to reduce energy consumption and a reliance on diesel in mining and milling operations

Program: Green Mining Innovation

Performance indicator:

Percentage of innovative mining technologies developed by NRCan that are ready for commercial use

Starting point: (0% as of March 31, 2023)

Target:

25% by March 31, 2027

Supporting the development of technologies to reduce energy consumption and a reliance on diesel in mining and milling operations will limit the impact of climate change by reducing the environmental footprint of a major industrial sector in Canada.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

GIF Target: 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Indicator result:

10%

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

NRCan is currently at 10% of the target and on track to meet our 25% goal by 2027.

Build capacity for decision-making on climate resilience

Program: Climate Change Adaptation

Performance indicator: Percentage of target stakeholders reporting they have the capacity to apply climate change adaptation tools and information for adaptation decision-making

Starting point:

Communities: 15% in 2018

Target:

Communities: 25% by the end of 2027

The Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Division delivers adaptation programming, knowledge assessments, and the Climate Change Adaptation Platform, all contributing to advancing and implementing adaptation measures nationally. Through collaboration and partnerships, this work supports the generation and use of knowledge and expertise, and the development and dissemination of decision-making tools. It results in increased capacity across natural resource sectors and the professions they depend on, better equipping decision-makers to take action on climate change and its impacts.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

CIF Indicator: 13.3.1 Proportion of municipal organizations who factored climate change adaptation into decision-making processes

GIF Target: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

Indicator results:

22% of communities.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The survey is repeated every five years. The next set of results will be collected in 2027 and made available in 2028.

Build capacity for decision-making on climate resilience

Program:

Climate Change Adaptation

Performance

indicator: Percentage of target stakeholders reporting they have the capacity to apply climate change adaptation tools and information for adaptation decision-making

Starting point:

Natural Resources Businesses: 51% in 2018

Target:

Natural Resource Businesses: 55% by the end of 2027

The Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Division delivers adaptation programming, knowledge assessments, and the Climate Change Adaptation Platform, all contributing to advancing and implementing adaptation measures nationally. Through collaboration and partnerships, this work supports the generation and use of knowledge and expertise, and the development and dissemination of decision-making tools. It results in increased capacity across natural resource sectors and the professions they depend on, better equipping decision-makers to take action on climate change and its impacts.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

CIF Indicator: 13.3.1 Proportion of municipal organizations who factored climate change adaptation into decision-making processes

GIF Target: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

Indicator results:

36% Natural Resources Businesses.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

The survey is repeated every five years. The next set of results will be collected in 2027 and made available in 2028.

Provide access to, archive and disseminate authoritative geospatial data to support climate change action and decision-making

Program: Core Geospatial Data

Performance

indicator: Number of images downloaded by federal departments from the Earth Observation Data Management System (EODMS) to support federal government priorities such as climate change

Starting

point: 41,829 in 2022-23

Target:

64,829 in 2024-25

EODMS data such as National Master Standing Offers (NMSO) and RADARSAT support the production of post-event maps such as earthquake land deformation, ice maps in the North, and emergency flood maps to help local governments understand the impact of natural disasters and carry out risk reduction activities. Additionally, these data support development of information products to measure and communicate climate change impacts, helping to shape Government of Canada policies, strategies, and planning. Finally, effective 2023, NMSO data will be shared with Indigenous Peoples, building on Canada’s Indigenous Climate Leadership ambitions.

CCMEO also leads the SAR Toolbox component of EODMS. The SAR Toolbox aims to reduce barriers and accelerate the use of Radarsat2 and RADARSAT Constellation Mission data by providing streamlined radar pre-processing capabilities within the EODMS system. By making radar data analysis ready, this project supports RADARSAT continuity as it delivers and democratizes SAR technology, therefore enabling more usage of data from all RADARSAT missions and greater return on GC’s significant investment in EO.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

GIF Target: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Indicator result:

68,910

Notes:

Target met.

19 Indigenous organizations were granted access to NMSO commercial data.

Climate change is affecting the safety, health, and quality of life of people across Canada. Every year, the country faces increasing record-breaking climate events, including wildfires, extreme heatwaves, and floods, on top of slow onset climate impacts, such as thawing permafrost and rising sea levels. Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy and the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan outline a shared path and sets common direction for a more climate resilient Canada through resilient roads, bridges, sewers, and other infrastructure; healthier communities; enhanced biodiversity and nature conservation; and a climate resilient economy and workers.

The Canadian Hazards Information Service (CHIS) provides authoritative, actionable, and timely information about geological hazards, space weather phenomena, and nuclear and radiological incidents. CHIS is augmenting the information it provides for earthquakes through the development of an Earthquake Early Warning system. Upon completion, the early warning system will provide seconds to minutes of warning of a major earthquake to high-risk areas, allowing mitigation measures to be taken for critical infrastructure.

NRCan is the lead federal department in the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP), collaborating with provinces and territories to complete flood hazard maps of higher risk areas in Canada and make this flood hazard information accessible to Canadians. The FHIMP will help ensure communities and all people living in Canada are better enabled to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the hazards, risks and consequences of flooding linked to the changing climate.

Through the 2 Billion Trees program the Canadian Forest Service continues to contribute to the federal commitment to plant two billion incremental trees by 2031 to help combat climate change and its impacts, while providing co-benefits to communities and ecosystems. This will be accomplished by funding tree planting projects with provinces and territories, for profit and not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations. The Canadian Forest Service’s Forest Systems Information & Technology Enhancement (ForSITE) program is revolutionizing how Canada monitors its vast forests. By evaluating technologies like machine learning and remote sensing, researchers are working to enhance the accuracy and transparency of forest information to help address science gaps and help communities and governments protect Canada’s forests and tackle climate change

The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP), through its strategic directions on the Environment and on Science, Technology, and Innovation, identifies climate change adaptation and alternate and renewable energy as areas of provincial, territorial, and federal action, and calls for more government collaboration with stakeholders to develop incentives for the adoption of new and clean technologies and innovative practices.

In 2024-25, this includes scoping research on potential actions that could be undertaken to encourage mining companies to adopt clean technologies and including the mining sector in other funding programs that support clean technology development and deployment.

NRCan leads on the Economy and Workers System of the National Adaptation Strategy. In support of its objectives, the department will deliver programming that will: build capacity of professionals such as engineers and planners to apply climate change adaptation tools in their work; improve the ability of natural resource businesses to integrate adaptation plans and strategies and support regional-scale pilot projects on adaptation in coastal regions.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

Global Target 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Ambition 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change.

NRCan is leveraging its programs under the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan and the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), key stakeholders, project proponents and federal partners to lead and implement the NAS Economy and Workers System by mainstreaming adaptation, supporting skills and training for key professionals, and advancing shared priorities for a climate resilient economy and workers.

In June 2024, NRCan completed research on barriers to the adoption of clean technologies and identified potential actions to encourage mining companies to adopt clean technologies.

In December 2024, NRCan’s Office of Energy Research and Development launched the Mining Decarbonization Demonstration call for proposals through the Energy Innovation Program to support the advancement and uptake of energy decarbonization technologies within Canada’s mining sector.

NRCan’s Climate Change Adaptation (CCAP) and Climate Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) programs are advancing key objectives under the National Adaptation Strategy’s (NAS) Economy and Workers System by providing funding to projects that will deliver tools and resources to mainstream adaptation, ensure that Canada’s workforce has the skills to adapt to a changing climate, and deliver innovative, regional-scale pilot projects to reduce climate change risks for coastal communities and businesses.

NRCan signed 40 Contribution Agreements (CA) for CCAP and 21 CAs for CRCC to support whole-of-society adaptation for communities, businesses, and natural resource sectors through co-funded projects and regional-scale coastal pilot initiatives.

Under FHIMP, the government has established agreements with all PTs, cost sharing over $60M to undergo over 300 projects across Canada. The FHIMP is has also investing over $6.8M in 20 projects across the country to advance flood mapping science, innovative regional modelling approaches, and furthering knowledge exchange between Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and other forms of science. Under FHIMP, 1000+ flood hazard maps have been products for targeted higher risk areas.

The Forest Systems Information and Technology Enhancement (ForSITE) program is making significant improvements to forest carbon accounting and forest data collection. The work will enhance the accuracy and transparency of forest information to help address science gaps and improve information on the effects of climate change on Canada’s forest ecosystems.

In 2024–25, ForSITE advanced national forest data systems by improving the harmonization and accessibility of datasets like the National Forest Inventory (NFI), the Common Attribute Schema for Forest Resources Inventories (CASFRI) and Multi-Agency Ground Plot (MAGPlot) database, while supporting ongoing data collection with provinces and territories. It also delivered preliminary national-scale carbon model simulations at 1ha resolution and developed a provisional definition of forest degradation and potential indicators in collaboration with diverse partners. Work is ongoing to enhance methodologies for new and existing Sustainable Forest Management indicators, with implementation on track into the next fiscal year.

In 2024-25, the 2 Billion Trees program signed multiple amendments and new contribution agreements that represented plans to plant an additional 434 million trees. As of March 31, 2025, the program has agreements committed or under negotiation to plant 988 million trees, representing approximately $2B in funding.

Funded organizations reported the planting of 66.9 million trees in 2024, representing 240 distinct species at more than 3,400 sites across Canada. In 2024, the program supported tree planting over some hectares for habitat restoration for species at risk and species of interest, and over 34,000 hectares for forest resilience to climate change. In 2024, 2BT supported the planting of over 85,700 stems of 10 different tree species at risk, and more than 74% of sites planted more than one tree species.

As part of the Natural Climate Solutions Fund horizontal initiative, 2BT continued to coordinate within NRCan and interdepartmentally with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop robust methods for reporting GHG reductions related to the program.

In 2024-25, the Forest Climate Change program generated knowledge, and tools including frameworks, maps, models, interactive web applications to enable decision makers and practitioners to understand the impacts of climate change on forests and the forest sector. Research results have contributed to the development of adaptation strategies and/or land use plans in locations across Canada in support of the resilience of Canada’s forests and the forest sector.

Advance marine geoscience products to inform Marine Spatial Planning in impact Assessments, as well as cumulative effects and project assessments in the offshore

Program:

Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources

Performance indicator:

Percentage of marine geoscience knowledge products and associated data releases that inform DFO-led Marine Spatial Planning, cumulative effects assessments (e.g., RA) or project assessments in the offshore

Starting point: 0% as of March 31, 2024

Target:

100% by March 31, 2028

NRCan, through the Marine Geoscience for Marine Spatial Planning Program (MGMSP), provides marine geoscience research to inform impact assessment and other decision-making processes in Canada’s offshore. MGMSP’s outputs contribute to the Government of Canada’s Marine Spatial Planning goal of achieving shared ecological, economic, cultural, and social objectives in the marine environment, including conservation.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Target: 14.1 Conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030.

CIF Indicator: 14.1.1 Proportion of marine and coastal areas conserved

GIF Target: 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

Indicator result:

40%

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

Nine research cruises from combined Pacific and Atlantic MGMSP program activities completed so far, with more planned, to meet target for 2028. NRCan Conducted research to inform the construction and identify hazards of a new high voltage cable route from mainland B.C. to Vancouver Island.

Other MGMSP Pacific research to inform on marine impacts of B.C. south coast anchorages Offshore wind development research on the Scotian shelf was originally under the umbrella of MGMSP and supported our funding proposal under IARP but is now housed within the Marine Renewables program and is informing foundational conditions for selecting sites for offshore wind turbines.

MGMSP Atlantic research on Cold Seeps and Submarine Canyon processes are informing proposed marine conservation areas and identifying potential geohazards.

Provide resource assessment to advance Canada’s goal of preserving 25% of coastal and marine areas through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Program: Geoscience for Sustainable Development of Natural Resources

Performance indicator: Number of completed resource and economic assessments by NRCan for protected areas that are proposed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ECCC, and Parks Canada

Starting point: 14 as of March 31, 2020

Target: 20 by March 31, 2026

The Marine Conservation Targets program will continue to develop and apply geological methods and assessment tools to provide scientific knowledge on offshore natural resources in support of Canada’s conservation targets for 2025. This knowledge will allow DFO, ECCC, and PCA add to their understanding of these offshore lands and the natural resources found within the boundaries of proposed protected areas, thus supporting Canada in achieving its goal of protecting 10% of Canada’s coastal and marine areas (as a percentage of total marine territory) by 2020, and 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030. To date, Canada has protected 14.66% of its offshore lands or 824,821 Km2.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Target: Conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030

CIF Indicator: 14.1.1 Proportion of marine and coastal areas conserved

GIF Target: 14.5.1 Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

Indicator result:

19

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

NRCan has completed 19 resource assessments to date (March 31, 2025) for DFO, ECCC and Parks Canada to date with three more nearing completion, resource assessments are in the publication process and will be publicly downloadable from NRCan, new sites for 2030 are anticipated from our partners and all resource assessments have been delivered to partner departments in a timely manner and have not caused delays in the planning and establishment of MPA and other nature-based conservations vehicles.

Continue to undertake science activities to support Canada’s continental shelf submissions in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean beyond 200 nautical miles and advise Global Affairs Canada on scientific and technical issues

Program: Geological Knowledge for Canada’s Onshore and Offshore Land

Performance indicator: Number of science activities that aim at securing international recognition of Canada’s outer limits beyond the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Starting point: New initiative (0 as of May 1, 2023)

Target: Four marine geoscience surveys by March 31, 2027

Canada ratified the UNCLOS Treaty in 2003 and implemented Article 76 of the treaty to delineate its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The program received renewed funding in Budget 2023 to acquire new data in the Arctic Ocean to support Canada’s revised outer limits. Eventually Canada will have jurisdiction, including the exploration, sustainable use, and conservation of the living and non-living resources on the seafloor and below, of the entire continental shelf through this process.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Target: Conserve 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030

CIF Indicator: 14.1.1 Proportion of marine and coastal areas conserved

GIF Target: 14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention and the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”

Indicator result:

1 test survey was done in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

NRCan secured the Swedish Icebreaker (RVIB) Oden and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent for surveys in the Arctic Ocean in 2025, 2026 and 2027. NRCan also initiated agreements with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat to charter the RVIB Oden and completed a scientific survey off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador in June-July 2024 to test scientific equipment in preparation for 2025 mission to the central Arctic Ocean. Planning was initiated for the 2025 survey, including procurement of capital equipment and instruments needed to undertake scientific work in the Arctic Ocean

Conduct research to develop and acquire science-based information and mitigation strategies on how oil migrates through Canadian waters

Program: Energy Innovation and Clean Technology

Performance indicator: Number of science-based presentations, publications, and research reports on oil spills and their fate and behaviour in Canadian waters

Starting point: 0 in 2021-22

Target: 12 by 2025-26 Marine Conservation Targets (MCT) Initiative

Adding to our scientific understanding of how oil migrates through Canadian waters will serve as the basis for efforts to ensure Canada’s oceans are conserved, by informing environmental assessments, clean-up methods, and evidence-based decision-making related to marine and coastal protection.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canada protects and conserves marine areas and sustainably manages ocean fish stocks

CIF Target: 14.1.1 Conserve 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030

GIF Target: 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

Indicator result:

26 scientific publications.

Notes:

Target met.

MPRI has 26 scientific publications related to oil in the marine, offshore, offshore platform and near-shore environments, as well as onshore pipeline oil spill scenarios as of March 31, 2025.

Conduct research to develop and acquire science-based information and mitigation strategies on how oil migrates through Canadian waters

Program: Energy Innovation and Clean Technology

Performance indicator: Number of science-based presentations, publications, and research reports on oil spills and their fate and behaviour in Canadian waters

Starting point: 0 in 2021-22

Target: 20 by 2026-27 – Multi-Partner Research Initiative (MPRI)

Adding to our scientific understanding of how oil migrates through Canadian waters will serve as the basis for efforts to ensure Canada’s oceans are conserved, by informing environmental assessments, clean-up methods, and evidence-based decision-making related to marine and coastal protection.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canada protects and conserves marine areas and sustainably manages ocean fish stocks

CIF Target: 14.1.1 Conserve 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030

GIF Target: 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

Indicator result:

13 science-based presentations, publications, and research reports.

Notes:

Target to be achieved in the future.

13 science-based presentations, publications, and research reports on the behaviour and fate of petroleum products in Canadian Arctic water and sediment as of March 31, 2025.

CanmetENERGY Devon, received funding to support scientific research related to marine spatial planning in the Western Arctic, and develop science-based information about how oil from natural seeps and human activities migrates through the environment to accumulate in Canadian Arctic waters. Focus area in the Western Arctic included the Beaufort Sea and expanded the scope to include Southampton Island. Studies included oil-sediment-water interactions in onshore, near-shore and off-shore scenarios. Findings will provide science-based information and knowledge to inform marine spatial planning for identifying areas requiring protection in the Canadian Arctic region, and to simulate oil spill recovery in Arctic ecosystems.

The publication of results in peer-reviewed journals, internal reports, and conference presentations is currently in progress.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

Global Target 14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”

Advance science and technology on forest health protection

Program:

Pest Risk Management

Performance indicator:

Number of NRCan publications pertaining to forest pests and related risks, surveillance solutions, and response solutions that are developed annually

Starting point:

52 in 2018-19

Target:

52 publications

Sustainable forest management is contingent upon healthy forests. Outbreaks of native forest insects and diseases, and the introduction of invasive alien species result in tree growth reduction and mortality, which may negatively affect the ecological integrity of forests. Climate change could amplify these impacts. Advancing pest risk management science and technology to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pests supports the protection of forest health across Canada and contributes to maintaining Canada’s annual timber harvest at or below sustainable wood supply level. Scientific publications are one of the primary forms of disseminating research results.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 15.5 Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

GIF Target: 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator result:

54 publications in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target met.

Develop innovative forest products and decision tools that strengthen knowledge of forest ecosystems and contribute to the environmental sustainability of Canada’s forests

Program: Sustainable Forest Management; Fibre Solutions; Cumulative Effects

Performance indicator:

Percentage of innovative forest products and decision tools informed by NRCan research that contributes to the Environmental Sustainability of Canada’s forests

Starting point: 100%

Target:

95% annually

NRCan develops scientific knowledge products and decision-making tools about Canada’s forests that are used by forest decision makers (e.g., provinces, territories, Canadian industry, private land-owners, etc.) to enable sustainable forest management. NRCan products and tools contribute to a better understanding of forest conditions and changes in response to natural disturbance, climate change and forest management practices. The innovative products and decision tools developed by participating programs strengthen knowledge of forest ecosystems and contribute to the environmental sustainability of Canada’s forests. These innovations support the forest sector to maximize the value of Canada’s forests while maintaining healthy forest ecosystems by reducing existing and potential environmental impacts. New products and decision tools support sustainable forest management in Canada’s forests and maintaining harvest levels below sustainable wood supply levels.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 15.5 Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

GIF Target: 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator result:

100%

Notes:

Target met.

In 2024–25, Canada developed a provisional definition of forest degradation and proposed indicators for reporting, in collaboration with Indigenous, industry, academic, and environmental partners. In 2025, Canada also hosted the multi-lateral Montreal Process Working Group for Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests and identified 2,000 datasets to strengthen national forest reporting.

In 2024-25, collaborative research and funded project activities contributed to the environmental sustainability of Canada’s forests. Results were disseminated widely within the forest sector. Stakeholders (i.e., industry, provinces/territories, private landowners, etc.) used tools, products, and information to support the development of innovative forest-based solutions. These advancements are increasingly aligned with national initiatives that incorporate stakeholder needs and encourage stakeholder participation.

Support sustainable management of Canada’s forests, in collaboration with provinces and territories

Program: Sustainable Forest Management

Performance indicator:

Amount in cubic meter (m3) of wood harvested annually compared to sustainable wood supply

Starting point:

141 million m³ total harvest versus 215 million m³ in wood supply in 2020 (State of Canada’s Forests Report, 2022)

Target:

Annual harvest is at or below sustainable wood supply levels

Sustainable forest management is a shared responsibility across all governments, the private sector and civil society for using and caring for forests to maintain their environmental, social and economic value and benefits over time. NRCan promotes responsible and transparent practices in the forest sector and supports provinces and territories in their role as forest managers to help ensure Canada’s forests are sustainable for years to come.

Supporting sustainable forest management in Canada directly contributes to the goal of sustainably managed land and forests and helps to maintain Canada’s annual timber harvest at or below sustainable wood levels.

Sustainable forest management includes consideration of knowledge and data concerning ecosystems, habitats and species. NRCan develops scientific knowledge products and decision-making tools about Canada’s forests that are used by forest decision-makers (e.g., provinces, territories, Canadian industry, private land-owners, etc.) to enable sustainable forest management.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

GIF Target: 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator result:

129.5 million m3 of wood was harvested compared to an available wood supply of 213.6million m3 in 2022.

Notes:

Target met.

Source: The State of Canada’s Forest Annual Report 2024

Increased availability of scientific knowledge and advice pertaining to forest pests and related risks

Program: Pest Risk Management

Performance indicator:

Number of NRCan publications pertaining to forest invasive alien species and related risks, surveillance solutions, and response solutions that are developed annually.

Starting point: 14 in 2022-23

Target:

14 publications annually

Mitigating the loss of biodiversity requires healthy forests. The introduction of invasive alien species can result in tree growth reduction and mortality, which may negatively affect biodiversity and the ecological integrity of forests. Climate change could amplify these impacts. Advancing pest risk management science and technology to prevent, prepare for, and respond to invasive alien species supports the protection of forest health across Canada. Scientific publications are one of the primary forms of disseminating research results.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: 15.5 Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

GIF Target: 15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator result:

18 publications in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target met.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target: 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Ambition 15.4 Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers.

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Ambition 15.4 Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

Funding under CFS’ Forest Systems Information and Technology Enhancement Program (ForSITE) has enabled CFS to progress on developing a working definition of forest degradation in collaboration with the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers; a draft reporting framework was presented to Ministers to enhance a common understanding of the matter and ensure systematic monitoring of forest degradation in the future. National data collection to support reporting on proposed indicators is ongoing and will continue into the next fiscal year.

Canada hosted the Montreal Process Working Group (MPWG) Meeting in Victoria, BC in February 2025, where indicators of forest degradation and sustainable forest management were discussed with international partners. A pilot project on forest degradation reporting has been launched in partnership with the MPWG and will continue through the next fiscal year. Canada also has been an active participant to the UN FAO’s Task Force on defining forest degradation for use in future Global Forest Resource Assessments.

Leverage our world-class scientific innovation and partnerships to protect Canadians and our ecosystems from the impacts of natural and human-induced hazards

Program: Innovative Geospatial Solutions

Performance indicator:

Percentage of satellite station uptime (NRCan only)^{Footnote 14}

Starting point:

99.7% in 2018-2019

Target:

Maintain 99.7% satellite station uptime

In collaboration with ECCC and ISED, NRCan is leading the day-to-day operations of the Satellite Earth Observation initiative to collect and disseminate earth observation data. Through these activities, NRCan is supporting our national and international partners in monitoring the environment to ensure the protection of Canadians and our ecosystems from the impacts of natural and human-induced hazards.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canada fosters collaboration and partnerships to advance the SDGs

Indicator result:

99.8%

Notes:

Target met.

CCMEO Ground Stations successfully completed 17,938 tasked reception activities. There were 130 failed receptions, of which 32 were attributed to equipment or network failures at NRCan ground stations. The remaining failures were the result of satellite anomalies.

Support Canada’s international commitments and engagements in critical minerals-related geoscience, R&D, trade and investment attraction, and transparency and sustainability initiatives

Program:

Provision of Federal Leadership in the Minerals and Metals Sector

Performance indicator: Number of international engagements (meetings or events) intended to strengthen critical minerals supply chain security, including investment attraction and science and policy collaboration

Starting point: New initiative (0 in 2022-2023), 73 in 2023-2024

Target:

50 annually

The Global Partnerships Initiative is part of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which seeks to increase the supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals and support the development of domestic and global value chains for the green and digital economy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

GIF Target: 17.16 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Indicator result:

103 in 2024-25.

Notes:

Target exceeded.

Natural Resources Canada is committed to being a global leader in increasing transparency and good governance. Leading by example, the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA) increases extractive sector transparency in Canada. Canada was also the first jurisdiction to develop guidance for industry, playing an integral role in shaping the emerging global standard on mandatory reporting for the extractive sector, and also the first jurisdiction to launch a compliance program to improve data integrity, and data portal to improve data accessibility.

Leveraging expertise from implementing the ESTMA, Canada additionally plays a prominent role in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an international transparency standard in the mining, oil and gas sectors that requires implementing countries to annually report on revenue collection and allocation, among other issues, in the extractive sector. The EITI Board is comprised of implementing countries, supporting countries, supporting companies and civil society organizations. Canada continues to play an active role in the initiative, and hosted t the EITI Board meeting in February 2024.

These efforts contribute to advancing:

Global Target 17.1 Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

Canada continued global leadership in transparency efforts to help the Government of Canada deter corruption in the extractive sector through the implementation of the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA) and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

• Over 1,390 ESTMA report submissions were validated by NRCan, disclosing over CAD $161B in payments to over 1,300 payees for 91 countries around the world.
• ESTMA compliance activities (e.g. reviews, mailouts) reached a combined total of over 500 entities, supporting data integrity and effective administration of ESTMA.
• During this period, Canada chaired ten EITI Board Validation Committee meetings to provide recommendations to the Board to review and approve validation of EITI implementation for 11 countries (Suriname, Uganda, Germany, Mauritania, Indonesia, the Central African Republic, Togo, Kazakhstan, Ecuador, Gabon, Iraq).
• Canada also led an EITI multi-stakeholder working group to modernize the EITI's assessment tool, with a focus on incentivizing and monitoring progress.