Sub-program 2.1.2
Support for Clean Energy Decision-making
Description
The development of Canada's energy resources is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. The transition to a cleaner energy mix is a long-term challenge that requires an understanding of how clean energy production options can fit within the broader energy system. There is insufficient information for the public and federal government decision-makers to evaluate the effectiveness of solutions to the domestic and international environmental impacts of energy development. This Sub-program provides tools, information and analysis to federal decision-makers and the Canadian public regarding energy-related environmental issues (particularly climate change mitigation) and clean energy technologies, and supports Canada's international climate change negotiators. This Sub-program includes activities under two Clean Air Agenda programs: the Clean Energy Policy Program and the International Negotiations program.
| Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The public and federal government decision-makers have access to information that supports decisions on climate change and clean energy issues | Number of new or updated information products available to the public that aim to advance knowledge of Canada's energy resources and environmental impacts | 10 by March 31, 2014 | |
| Provision of information products (e.g., advice and analysis) to federal decision-makers regarding clean energy and environmental issues in response to requests | 95% of requests fulfilled by March 31, 2014 | ||
| Canadian international climate change objectives are advanced in international meetings | Percentage of Canadian objectives reflected each year in the outcomes of relevant international meetings (e.g., UNFCCC) | 80% by March 31, 2014 |
| Planned Spending | Main Estimates |
|---|---|
| 3,839 | 3,839 |
FSDS Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality
FSDS Goal 1 – Climate Change
Reduce greenhouse gas emission levels to mitigate the severity and unavoidable impacts of climate change.
FSDS Target 1.1 – Climate Change Mitigation
Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) 17% by 2020.
FSDS Implementation Strategy – Clean Energy
1.1.20 Develop climate change strategies aligned with the United States including working collaboratively through the Canada-U.S Clean Energy Dialogue to advance clean energy priorities. (EC, NRCan)
1.1.30 The Atlantic Energy Gateway initiative aims to facilitate development of the Atlantic renewable energy sector by fostering collaboration, common understanding, and communication among governments, and between governments and the private sector, to maximize and expedite the development of renewable energy resources in the region. (ACOA, NRCan) – This Implementation Strategy was completed in 2012‑13.
FSDS Implementation Strategies – International Work on Climate Change
1.1.43 Work with international partners to implement commitments in the Copenhagen Accord such as mitigation targets and actions; short and long-term financing; mechanisms for technology and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation; adaptation actions; and provisions for transparency and accountability of climate change actions. (EC, NRCan)
11.48 United Nations
1.1.48.2 Participate in strategic international climate change negotiations and engagement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including leadership on key issues. (NRCan)
11.49 Multilateral Organizations Outside of the UNFCCC
1.1.49.1 Advance Canadian interests in a range of high-level climate change-related international fora, such as the G8, the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), including the MEF-initiated Clean Energy Ministerial; and the Asia-Pacific CooperationFootnote 1. (NRCan)
1.1.50 Asia-Pacific Partnership: Manage Canadian Asia-Pacific Partnership-funded projects that promote the development, diffusion and deployment of clean technologies. (EC, NRCan, IC) – This Implementation Strategy was completed in 2012-13.
1.1.53 Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Participate in a variety of policy and technical multilateral cooperation fora including the Global Institute, the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, the International Energy Agency and the MEF Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture and Storage Action Group. (NRCan)
How Activity Supports Target
To support governance and the responsible development of Canada’s energy resources, NRCan delivers current and timely energy-related analysis, advice and recommendations to NRCan senior management on a variety of domestic and international energy issues, including the Canada-US Clean Energy Dialogue (CED). The CED is a mechanism to advance bilateral cooperation with the US on clean energy technologies that support greenhouse gas mitigation efforts. Activity under the CED will help to accelerate the transition to a lower carbon economy.
Under the Support for Clean Energy Decision-Making Sub-program, NRCan provides information and analysis to decision-makers on climate financing and mechanisms for technology. NRCan is actively involved in the operationalization of the technology mechanism under the Copenhagen Accord. NRCan demonstrates leadership on clean energy technology as a member of the Advisory Board for the Climate Technology Centre and Network.
NRCan participates in the development of Canada’s negotiating position at the UNFCCC, including leadership on key issues related to clean energy technology.
NRCan contributes to Canada’s participation in high-level climate change-related international fora, including technology partnerships such as Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum and Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. NRCan also actively participates in and provides input into various multilateral fora, such as the G8, G20 and APEC, whose focus includes green growth, the promotion of clean energy research and development and the enhancement of trade in environmental goods and services, which all contribute to reducing GHG emissions.
NRCan represents Canada in high-level international fora related to CCS, including the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, the International Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture and Storage Action Group.
Program Name: Clean Energy Policy
CAA Theme: Clean Energy
Description of Clean Energy Policy:
The Clean Energy Policy program under the Clean Air Agenda provides advice, information and analysis on climate change, clean energy and other energy-related activities of NRCan.
Expected program results for 2013-14:
The Clean Energy Policy program will provide ongoing analysis, advice, recommendations, and coordination on clean energy and environmental issues in support of policy and program development and decision-making. This includes providing advice to senior management and developing information products (such as briefing material and research and analysis) to ensure that decision-makers have access to timely advice and information. In 2013-14, specific program activities will include contributing to energy-related initiatives under the National Adaptation Platform on Climate Change and to the development of Environment Canada’s greenhouse gas regulations for the oil and gas sector. The program will also remain engaged in domestic carbon capture and storage (CCS) policy activities, such as providing technical expertise and policy advice to inform domestic CCS related regulatory considerations. Through the development and deployment of fact sheets and other outreach tools (such as assessments, best practices) the program will provide fact-based information regarding the oil sands, shale gas and other unconventional energy sources to Canadians, key stakeholders and foreign governments.
Performance measures:
| Key outcomes | Indicators | Targets | Tracking Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal government decision-makers and the public have access to tools, advice and information for timely decisions on climate-energy-environment issues | Sector-specific advice, analysis and recommendations are available as requested |
95% of requests fulfilled (ongoing) |
Program files |
| Number of new or updated information products available to the public that aim to advance knowledge of Canada’s energy resources and environmental issues (including carbon capture and storage, shale gas and oil sands) | 10 by March 31, 2014 | Program files |
| Total CAA Program Planned Spending |
|---|
| $2,327,700 |
Program Name: International Climate Change Participations/Negotiations
CAA Theme: International Actions
Description of International Climate Change Participations/Negotiations:
NRCan’s International Climate Change Participation/Negotiations is a horizontal policy program involving policy development, analysis and advice, as well as strategic engagement in international climate change and other fora. NRCan activities include international participation/negotiations in climate change (in Sub-program 2.1.2 of NRCan’s 2013-14 Program Alignment Architecture [PAA]) as well as Forest Carbon Policy and Monitoring (in Sub-program 1.1.2 of NRCan’s 2013-14 PAA).
Expected program results for 2013-14:
The International Climate Change Participation/Negotiations program provides strategic policy advice to Government of Canada decision-makers on key global climate change developments and other issues related to NRCan’s mandate. NRCan’s program supports the development of climate technology policies and positions that are aligned with Canada’s interests. The program also advances Canada’s international climate change objectives in a range of high-level climate change-related fora. In 2013-14, these fora will include the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 4th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). Under the UNFCCC, Canada will support the launch of an international technology centre that will provide clean technology expertise and projects to developing countries. Canada’s engagement in the CEM facilitates clean technology collaboration with major economies, including the US and China. The program will also lead Canada's participation in international initiatives on carbon capture and storage (CCS).
NRCan will also work on forest carbon issues through contributing to international negotiations on GHG accounting and reporting rules for forest carbon, conducting analyses of key forest carbon options that contribute to climate change mitigation, and continuing to develop Canada’s National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System. This system will provide forest-related information for Canada's 2014 National GHG Inventory Report to the UNFCCC. NRCan will also engage with domestic stakeholders on forest carbon management and the role of forests and forest management in meeting Canada’s mitigation goals under international agreements.
Performance measures:
International Participation/Negotiations in Climate Change
| Key outcomes |
|---|
| Policy and analytical support to federal decision-makers regarding the development and promotion of positions on climate technology that reflect Canada’s interests and circumstances |
| Provision of strategic policy advice and analysis to senior management on global climate change developments, and the links with natural resource issues, in particular energy |
| Senior officials are prepared to represent NRCan and Canada in a variety of bilateral and multilateral meetings across various fora |
| Through engagement and policy support, opportunities are created for Canada to participate in collaborative clean energy technology initiatives |
| Note: Indicators, targets and tracking methods are currently under development for this program. |
| Total CAA Program Planned Spending |
|---|
| $1,109,000Footnote 2 |
Performance measures:
| Key outcomes |
|---|
| Policy and analytical support to Environment Canada, as the lead on LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) and REDD (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) issues |
| Canada's interests and understanding of the nation’s circumstances related to LULUCF and REDD are based on sound analysis, and reflected in international negotiations and agreements |
| Opportunities to maximize the contribution of forest-related actions through international rules are understood |
| Canada meets forest-related carbon reporting requirements on an annual basis |
| Canadian leadership on forest carbon monitoring and accounting allows Canada to promote familiarity with and use of Canadian tools and approaches |
| Note: Indicators, targets and tracking methods are currently under development for this program. |
| Total CAA Program Planned Spending |
|---|
| $1,684,128Footnote 3 |
Program Name: Clean Energy Dialogue (CED)
CAA Theme: International Actions
Description of Clean Energy Dialogue:
The CED was created in 2009 to enhance collaboration between Canada and the United States on the development of clean energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. Three working groups were established in the following priority areas: carbon capture and storage, the electricity grid and clean energy R&D. Working groups developed and implemented a CED Action Plan which identified 20 joint initiatives in support of the priority areas.
Both NRCan and EC work collaboratively with the US Department of Energy to advance the CED.
Expected program results for 2013-14:
Canada and the US are moving forward on initiatives outlined in Action Plan II of the CED in the following priority areas: carbon capture and storage, the electricity grid, clean energy R&D and energy efficiency.
The CED Secretariat works to advance the overall objectives of the CED. It conducts research and analysis to identify opportunities for collaboration with the US in the research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies and to monitor and analyze relevant initiatives to reduce GHG emissions (domestically, continentally and globally). The CED Secretariat also engages with its US counterpart in the Department of Energy and with key stakeholders to identify ways to facilitate and advance the implementation and delivery of CED projects and initiatives. In 2013-14 it will work with the US to continue to make progress under Action Plan ll and will prepare and deliver progress reports on the implementation of CED projects and initiatives.
In 2013-2014, the three CED working groups will implement the initiatives included in the CED Action Plan II. It is anticipated that the R&D and Energy Efficiency working group will facilitate collaboration in the following five priority areas: marine energy, advanced biofuels, transportation, buildings and communities and energy efficiency. NRCan will likely focus on the implementation of projects in all of the priority areas.
In 2013-14, the Carbon Capture and Storage working group is expected to continue to build on the initiatives identified as part of the second phase of the CED, including the injection of carbon dioxide for both permanent storage and utlization in enhanced oil recovery. It is anticipated that NRCan will focus on the implementation of projects related to the following: technical collaboration on research, development and demonstration; dialogue on carbon capture and storage policies and practices; and sharing of best practices on carbon capture and storage communications and public engagement.
In 2013-14, it is anticipated that the Electricity Grid working group will identify key opportunities and barriers associated with advancing an efficient and clean electricity grid within Canada and the US, and will outline recommended steps for bilateral collaboration and dialogue, including further joint projects and areas for policy and regulatory alignment. NRCan is expected to continue implementation of projects related to offshore renewable energy regulatory frameworks, advancing smart grid and energy storage technologies, and increasing opportunities for trade in clean electricity.
Performance measures:
| Key outcomes |
|---|
| Through the CED, EC and NRCan’s efforts will contribute to collaborating with the U.S. in specific areas of shared clean energy priorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, in addition to contributing to the advancement of Canada’s domestic clean energy agenda |
| More specifically, working groups will implement action plans that will identify ongoing and new opportunities for joint research projects and initiatives in the CED focus areas; progress reports are expected to be prepared for the Leaders |
| Note: Indicators, targets and tracking methods are currently under development for this program. |
| Total CAA Program Planned Spending |
|---|
| $1,148,000 |
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