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

1.1.48 United Nations

1.1.48.4 Develop and submit a complete and compliant annual national GHG Inventory Report and Common Reporting Format tables to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat by April 15 to meet UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol reporting requirements. (EC, NRCan)

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

Forest Ecosystem Science and Application

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

• Strategic Outcome 2 - 
  Environmental Responsibility
  
  
  • Program Activity 2.2 - 
    Ecosystem Risk Management
    
    
    • Sub Activity 2.2.2 - 
      Forest Ecosystem Science and Application
      
      

Description

Canada needs the scientific knowledge to manage risks, to maintain healthy ecosystems, and to meet international obligations and priorities. Under Sub-Activity - Forest Ecosystem Science and Application (PAA 2.2.2), NRCan conducts research as well as national assessments and monitoring to develop, synthesize and integrate scientific knowledge of Canada’s Forest Ecosystem. This knowledge is used by governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations in the development of forest management practices and policies, and informs federal departments in the formation of Canada’s negotiating position on international environmental issues related to forests.

Under this Sub Activity, NRCan conducts forest carbon cycle research and national assessment of forest carbon budgets which contribute to this FSDS implementation strategy. The main objective of these initiatives is to further the understanding and knowledge of Forest Ecosystem from a national perspective and to report on results on carbon accounting to the UNFCCC.

Relationship to FSDS Target

Improved understanding of forest carbon dynamics provided under Sub Activity - Forest Ecosystem Science and Application, will better inform decision makers on options that can lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, work under Sub Activity - Forest Ecosystem Science and Application contributes indirectly to FSDS Target 1.1 -
Climate Change Mitigation.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

Data is collected and reported annually, and projects extend to March 31, 2013.

Expected Result

NRCan provides data and forecasts associated with Canada’s vast forest landscapes estimates of forest-related land use change (afforestation/reforestation) and GHG emissions and removal to meet reporting requirements for GHG emission levels (e.g. UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol).

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Forest Ecosystem Science and Application further contributes to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation through one implementation strategy:

• 1.1.54 - Support the development and provision of scientific knowledge, modeling, data and tools that inform forest carbon budgets.

This Sub Activity also contributes to FSDS Target 7.3 - Sustainable Forest Management through one implementation strategy:

• 7.3.2 - Generate and disseminate scientific knowledge related to Forest Ecosystem.