ARCHIVED - Sustainable Development

Report on Plans and Priorities 2011-2012
Electronic Layer of Reporting
Elements of NRCan's Sustainable Development Strategy

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 - 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)

You will find below details about NRCan's activities that contribute to this implementation strategy:

• Domestic and International Energy Policy
• Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation

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Domestic and International Energy Policy

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 1 - 
  Economic Competiveness
  
  
  • Program Activity 1.1 - 
    Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources
    
    
    • Sub Activity 1.1.7 - 
      Domestic and International Energy Policy
      
      

Description

The development of Canada’s energy resources is an important component of Canadian prosperity, and can be achieved only by a globally competitive energy sector that is governed in a manner that is consistent with Canada’s social and environmental goals.

To support such governance and the responsible development of Canada’s energy resources, under Sub Activity- Domestic and International Energy Policy (PAA 1.1.7), NRCan delivers current and timely energy related analysis, advice and recommendations to NRCan senior management on a variety of domestic and international issues, including clean energy, climate change, renewable electricity, nuclear energy, uranium and radioactive wastes, and federal-provincial-territorial energy relations. Capacity building in these areas contributes to this FSDS implementation strategy by increasing NRCan’s knowledge of emission reducing technologies and practices that support policy analysis and advice on climate change mitigation.

Under this Sub Activity, NRCan also supports the development of Canada’s negotiating position in international fora related to climate change and clean energy. By working with international partners, NRCan supports the development and deployment of clean technologies to developing countries, thus facilitating the achievements of commitments under the Copenhagen Accord.

Relationship to FSDS Target

The Copenhagen Accord includes GHG emission reduction targets or mitigation actions for 85 countries, including all major emitters. Contributing to its implementation will therefore contribute to climate change mitigation. Thus, efforts under Sub Activity - Domestic and International Energy Policy contribute indirectly to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

This initiative sunsets in FY 2010-2011 and will be reported on in DPR 2010-2011. Non Financial Performance Expectations apply to:

FY 2010-2011 only.

Output and Indicators (Sub Activity 1.1.7)

Advice, recommendations and analysis on specific international engagement in energy-related fora and projects.

• Advice, recommendations and analysis in support of international working groups, meetings and/or projects.
• Advice, recommendations and analysis in support of international climate change engagement.

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Domestic and International Energy Policy further contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation through the following implementation strategies:

• 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;
• 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 sources in the region;
• 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;
• 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 Economic Cooperation;
• 1.1.50 - Asia-Pacific Partnership: Manage Canadian Asia-Pacific Partnership-funded projects that promote the development, diffusion and deployment of clean technologies;
• 1.1.53 - Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Participate in a variety of policy and technical multilateral cooperation fora including the Global CCS Institute, the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, the International Energy Agency and the MEF Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture and Storage Action Group.

This Sub Activity also contributes to FSDS Target 2.1 - Air Pollutants through two implementation strategies:

• 2.1.16 - ecoACTION programs reduce GHG emissions and can directly or indirectly contribute to air pollutant emission reduction;
• 2.1.19 - 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 the private sector, to maximize and expedite the development of renewable energy sources in the region.

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Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 3 - 
  Safety, Security, and Stewardship
  
  
  • Program Activity 3.1 - 
    Adapting to a Changing Climate and Hazard Risk Management
    
    
    • Sub Activity 3.1.3 - 
      Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation
      
      

Description

The world’s climate is changing, and Canadians require knowledge on the effects of climate change in order to adapt.  Under Sub Activity - Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation (PAA 3.1.3), NRCan provides climate change information so that key stakeholders and Canadians can better understand the effects of a changing climate on their communities and make decisions based on the resulting risks and opportunities. Through the outreach activities under this Sub Activity, NRCan facilitates collaboration and issues management to help Canadians prepare for and adapt to a changing climate. Under this Sub Activity is a key Sub Activity that contributes to this FSDS implementation strategy:

• Sub Sub Activity - Climate Change Science (PAA 3.1.3.1): NRCan performs research and disseminates data, information and knowledge to governments and communities in order to inform Northerners on the use of adaptation measures.

Relationship to FSDS Target

Research, outreach and information provided under Sub Activity - Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation will enable northern governments and communities to understand and apply climate change adaptation measures and influence long-term planning in the North. These activities will contribute to infrastructure plans and advancing the knowledge and communications around climate change, which are communicated internationally. Thus initiatives under Sub Activity - Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation, contribute indirectly to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

Expected Result and Indicator (Sub Activity 3.1.3)

Key stakeholders use impacts and adaptation information and support for decision-making.

• Number of NRCan citations used by public/private sector professionals (e.g. urban planners and engineers) (reported annually, beginning in 2011-2012).

Expected Result and Indicator (Sub Sub Activity 3.1.3.1)

Governments and communities in Canada’s North (north of 60 latitude) have access to adaptation measures.

• Number of reports released on climate change adaptation measures specific to the North (reported annually, beginning in 2012-2013).

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Climate Change Geoscience and Adaptation further contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation through the following implementation strategies:

• 1.1.5 - Undertake and deliver scientific research and reporting in support of regulatory and other programs, including data analysis, inventory development, monitoring, modeling and assessment of the effectiveness of efforts as well as research on options, costs and benefits, and technology assessments;
• 1.1.31 - Work with Aboriginal and northern communities, organizations and governments on climate change issues through the development of sustainable energy initiatives and supporting them in managing vulnerabilities and opportunities created by changing climate.