Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Program 1.1 – Market Access and Diversification;

Sub-program 1.1.2 – Forest Products Market Access and Development

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
2013-16 FSDS Implementation Strategies for International Work on Climate Change:

1.1.57
Analyse key forest carbon options for climate change mitigation, ensure that Canada’s international climate change objectives related to forests are advanced in international meetings, and continue to develop Canada’s National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System to provide annual forest-related greenhouse gas inventory estimates.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.57
In 2015/16, NRCan undertook substantial analyses of forest-related mitigation potential and policy options, including in support of the March 2016 First Minister’s Meeting on Climate Change that resulted in the Vancouver Declaration on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

In international climate negotiations, Canada’s forest-related objectives were advanced under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the multiple negotiating sessions leading up to the December 2015 Paris Agreement. Canada’s positions were reflected in various references to carbon sinks and forests in the Paris Agreement, as well as in the conclusion of 10 years of work on methodological guidance for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. NRCan also provided forest-related input to the UNFCCC in the following key documents: 1. Canada’s submission regarding its intended 2030 emissions reductions target (May 2015), and, 2. Canada’s second Biennial Report on progress toward the 2020 emission reductions target (February 2016).

In relation to national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory reporting, NRCan continued to enhance and use Canada's National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System to provide updated forest-related estimates for inclusion in Canada’s 2016 GHG National Inventory Report to meet requirements of the UNFCCC. In cooperation with provincial and territorial representatives on the National Forest Sinks Committee, NRCan initiated analysis of potential improvements to the forest estimates to ensure that they will accurately capture current mitigation efforts. As well, NRCan initiated efforts to remove the impacts of natural disturbances from forest estimates of GHG emissions and removals as the basis for improved future GHG national inventory reporting.

Canada continued to participate in the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, including participation in international meetings and ongoing provision of technical advice to REDD+ countries.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: International Climate Change Participation and Negotiations

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$1,684,128*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$1,679,082

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.1 – Energy-Efficient Practices & Lower-Carbon Energy Sources

Sub-program 2.1.1 – Renewable Energy Deployment

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
Implementation Strategies for Clean Transportation:

1.1.32 
Develop policy options for a regulatory framework in support of marine renewable energy development in the federal offshore, and share them with stakeholders in a timely manner.

Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.46
Promote the production of clean renewable electricity.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.32
NRCan developed policy options for a regulatory framework in support of marine renewable energy development in the federal offshore. These options were shared with stakeholders in a timely manner.

1.1.46
Renewable energy projects supported by the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program and the Wind Power Production Incentive program are expected to generate up to 15.7 TWh of clean electricity per year, which would displace up to approximately 7 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: Marine Renewable Energy Enabling Measures

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$721,400*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$394,154*

‘* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.1 – Energy-Efficient Practices & Lower-Carbon Energy Sources

Sub-program 2.1.2 - Support for Clean Energy Decision-Making

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.40
Work with the public and federal government decision-makers to ensure that they have access to information that supports decisions on climate change and clean energy issues.

Implementation Strategies for International Work on Climate Change:

1.1.53
Ensure that Canada’s international climate change objectives related to energy and clean technology are advanced in international meetings (e.g. Canada-US Clean Energy Dialogue, UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change], Clean Energy Ministerial) (EC, NRCan).

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.40
In 2015-16, NRCan provided important technical information to support decision-making on climate change and energy issues, such as the development of Canada’s intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, including the 2030 national greenhouse gas emissions reduction target; the development of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; and, the implementation of provisions related to Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage (CCUS) within federal regulations for coal-fired electricity generation. Additionally, 12 oil sands and pipeline information products were updated to reflect current government priorities. These information products increase transparency about Canada’s energy markets, issues, policies, and decision-making processes, as part of building public confidence in the sustainability of this sector. As well, significant work continued on coordinating the department’s expertise with regard to GHG emissions reporting. This includes preparing, analyzing and vetting content for Canadian reports, such as Canada’s 2^nd Biennial Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) report, as well as conducting comparative analysis of Canada's emissions as reported in various publications (e.g., International Energy Agency “World Energy Outlook”).

NRCan also provided analysis and advice on the development and demonstration of CCUS technology in Canada and also supported senior management’s domestic engagements related to CCUS, including with provinces and territories, industry, and academia.

1.1.53
NRCan represented Canada on clean energy technology issues at UNFCCC negotiations, which included supporting the Government of Canada’s successful adoption of the Paris Agreement at the 21st Conference of the Parties in December 2015 and advancing key technology issues under this Agreement. NRCan continued to contribute to the development of UNFCCC’s Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) through its participation on the CTCN Advisory Board. The CTCN works to accelerate climate technology development and transfer by facilitating a network of technology expertise to provide assistance, advice and other support in response to developing country requests. NRCan also serves as Canada’s National Designated Entity under the CTCN; in this role, NRCan has worked to inform Canadian companies and associations about potential clean technology opportunities in developing and emerging economies.

Additionally, NRCan was active in advocating Canada’s energy and clean technology priorities in other forums. For example, the Department provided advice and analysis to support officials representing Canada in the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), a multilateral forum that promotes policies and shares best practices to accelerate the global transition to clean energy. In addition to participating in the 6th CEM meeting in Mexico, Canada pledged to provide tools and expertise through the organization’s Clean Energy Solutions Center. Throughout the year, NRCan continued to showcase Canada as a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency, through the CEM technical initiatives, and played a leadership role in advancing key future objectives of the forum. NRCan also continued to support the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI), an initiative aimed fostering international co-operation and accelerating development and diffusion of climate-friendly technologies. This includes active engagement on the future direction of the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), a signature private sector initiative of CTI.

As well, NRCan represented Canada in various international CCUS forums which enhanced collaboration with key partners and successfully profiled Canada’s achievements and expertise in CCUS. This includes NRCan’s active participation in the U.S.-led Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) in two CSLF Task Forces, as co-lead with Norway on a 2nd and 3rd Generation CCS Technologies Task Force and as a member with the U.S., Mexico, and other countries in the Academic CCS Task Force. Canada was also the host of a successful CSLF mid-year meeting in Regina in June 2015, which set the stage for the CSLF Ministerial in Saudi Arabia in November 2015. Collaboration and knowledge sharing in CCUS was also advanced with the U.S., UK, and Mexico under bilateral arrangements.

NRCan supported ECCC on the Clean Energy Dialogue, including involvement in several Working Groups. As of March 31, 2016, CED's programs have formally ended, while Canada continues to engage with North American partners on energy issues via other forums.

CCUS was the first Working Group to evolve from a Canada-US bilateral initiative – funded under the Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) – to a trilateral initiative. The new North American trilateral CCUS multi-stakeholder working group met for the first time at the University of Texas in Austin in December 2015 to promote joint action in CCUS, in the context of a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. and Mexico concerning climate change and energy collaboration signed in February 2016. With support from the CED, CanmetENERGY Ottawa has also partnered with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the US Department of Energy to develop novel carbon capture technologies aiming to significantly reduce the costs and energy penalties associated with CCUS

Under the Electric Grid Working Group, NRCan was involved in addressing issues related to the uptake of renewables in remote microgrids and northern housing; supporting collaboration between the Wind Energy Institute of Canada and the US Sandia National Laboratory on battery storage for renewables integration; the development of a techno-economic analysis tool for assessment of hydrogen storage to accommodate variable generation in different contexts; and, studies aimed at understanding the physical and cybersecurity implications of increasing use of distributed energy systems and electric vehicles.

To address Canada-US barriers to natural gas vehicle deployment that were discussed at Canada-US CED stakeholder engagement workshops, NRCan and the US Department of Energy (DOE) formalized collaboration to explore clean energy opportunities in the transportation sector. Through the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC), NRCan and the US DOE are collaborating to develop bi-national codes and standards for the use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel. NRCan and the US DOE also shared information, lessons learned, and best practices on natural gas vehicle deployment through the Memorandum of Understanding on Enhanced Energy Collaboration.

Work under the RCC also included efforts to align energy efficiency product standards and test methods for equipment through enhanced information sharing, cooperative development and implementation. Leading up to the binational RCC event in Washington D.C. in May 2016, there were extensive stakeholder consultations in the areas of energy efficiency standards and natural gas use in transportation.

In 2016, NRCan and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a 5-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to create a common platform for measuring and assessing the energy performance of commercial buildings in both countries. The agreement harmonized the approach of the two countries by enhancing the US EPA’s existing ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool to track and rate the energy performance of commercial buildings in both Canada and the US.

As another example of the ongoing co-operation between the US and Canada to promote energy efficiency for industry, the DOE and NRCan collaborated to present a session at Energy Summit 2016 titled “The Business Value of Energy Management Systems”. The session developed the business case as a means of enabling energy management in organizations and covered several different types of energy management systems to assist participants to understand which one might best suit their organization. The session was well attended with over 60 participants and was well rated in the surveys completed afterwards.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: Clean Energy Policy

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$2,024,615*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16

$2,112,725*

Program Name: International Climate Change Participations/Negotiations

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$967,000*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$702,969*

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program Name:
Clean Energy Dialogue (CED)

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$1,034,000*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$1,025,178*

‘* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.1 – Energy-Efficient Practices & Lower-Carbon Energy Sources

Sub-program 2.1.3 - Alternative Transportation Fuels

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
Implementation Strategies for Clean Transportation:

1.1.23
Support fuel producers’ capacity to produce renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel.

1.1.27
Work with the standards community to develop and update codes and standards as they relate to alternative transportation fuels.

Implementation Strategies for Clean Transportation, Acknowledging Knowledge and Communication

1.1.30
Work with key stakeholders (e.g. policy makers, end-users, alternative and conventional fuel producers, vehicle and equipment manufacturers) to increase their knowledge of alternative fuel pathways.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.23
To support fuel producers’ capacity to produce renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel, the ecoENERGY for Biofuels program targeted 2 billion litres of ethanol and 500 million litres of biodiesel domestic production capacity. The 37 contribution agreements originally signed (16 for ethanol and 21 for biodiesel) would have resulted in a built production capacity of 2.032 billion litres per year of ethanol, and 660 million litres per year of biodiesel in support of the Renewable Fuels Regulations. However, due to market challenges, several producers were unable to meet their contractual terms and their agreements were terminated.

The program had a peak built production capacity of 1,881 million litres of ethanol and 555 million litres of biodiesel in December 2012. Since 2012 there has been a decrease in the number of facilities supported by the program for varying reasons, including suspension and terminations for non-compliance with terms of the agreement and catastrophic events (i.e. one plant burned down). In 2015-16 the program supported four contribution agreements for ethanol production and six for biodiesel. To date, 16 out of 21 agreements have successfully completed their seven year agreements. Five remaining agreements will reach the end of their seven year term over the next 12 months. The ecoENERGY for Biofuels program ends on March 31, 2017.

As the Program winds down, NRCan will continue to diligently manage existing contribution agreements and monitor industry performance as it enters a post-incentives environment.

1.1.27
In order to address operational barriers to deployment of natural gas in transportation, the ecoENERGY for Alternative Fuels Program worked with the standards community to support four technical committees: two working on natural gas code revisions for compressed natural gas refuelling stations and on-board vehicles, and two developing binational standards for liquefied natural gas use in transportation for refuelling nozzles and on-board vehicle storage containers. The Program also supported the background document for the revision of one liquefied natural gas code to include vehicle refuelling. This resulted in two codes and one annex to a code being published in 2014-15, and two new binational standards published in 2015-16.

1.1.30
In order to increase stakeholder knowledge of alternative fuel pathways, the ecoENERGY for Alternative Fuels Program established three local information centres in Montréal, Ottawa and Vancouver, which provide information to fleet operators to facilitate their decision to deploy natural gas vehicles. In 2015-16, these centres held 25 workshops, which resulted in 202 participants increasing their knowledge of natural gas as a transportation fuel for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The participants included fleet managers (both public and private), fuel distributors and vehicle and equipment manufacturers. Participant feedback (based on exit workshop surveys) was very positive. More than 80% of respondents reported an increase in knowledge of alternative fuel pathways.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: ecoENERGY for Alternative Fuels

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$432,000* 

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$430,808*

‘* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.1 – Energy-Efficient Practices & Lower-Carbon Energy Sources

Sub-program 2.1.4 - Energy Efficiency

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.41
Promote the adoption of energy efficient products and practices that contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions.

1.1.45
Improve energy efficiency in Canada through programming that targets the housing, buildings, equipment, industrial and transportation sectors.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.41

In order to improve energy efficiency in Canada through programming that targets housing, buildings, equipment, industrial and transportation sectors, the energy efficiency program achieved the following in 2015-16:

• Saved more than 52 Petajoules (PJ) of energy, exceeding its five-year program target by 25% (36-44 PJ).

• Improved the effectiveness of the ENERGY STAR ® labeling initiative by adding one product category and increasing the required efficiency level of 11 other product categories.
• Delivered the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool to 14,000 Canadian commercial and institutional buildings (representing 169 million square metres or about 21% of commercial floor space) for tracking and benchmarking energy use. This exceeded the five-year program target of 9,000 buildings by 2015-16.
• Published an update to the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) in December 2015. The NECB has been officially adopted in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia as well as in the cities of Vancouver, BC and Whitehorse, YT. As a result of adoption efforts to date, approximately 70 percent of all new commercial floor space in Canada will be built to this new standard.
• Delivered the SmartWay Transport Partnership initiative to more than 34,000 trucks (representing over 25% of all on-road freight activity in Canada) to reduce their energy use. Participation in SmartWay, which is increasingly requested by manufacturers and retailers, helps Canadian trucking companies reduce fuel costs and transport goods in the most efficient way possible while gaining access to business from hundreds of North American companies (e.g., Walmart, Fiat, Chrysler, and Nike) who require the fleets they hire to participate in SmartWay to maximize efficiency in their supply chains.
• Supported more than 50 provincial, territorial, municipal, utility, and non-governmental programs and regulations with NRCan’s EnerGuide Home Rating System, ENERGY STAR for new homes and R-2000 housing standards.
• Assisted the adoption of ISO 50001 energy management standard in six industrial facilities. Since 2011, NRCan has assisted 23 industrial facilities adopt ISO 50001 in sectors such as forest products, mining, transportation equipment manufacturing, food and beverage, cement, and steel, achieving on average a 10% energy savings in the first year.

1.1.45
In 2015-16, NRCan’s energy efficiency programming saved more than 52 Petajoules (PJ) of energy, exceeding its five-year program target by 25% (36-44 PJ).

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: ecoENERGY Efficiency

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16

$32,799,817* 

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16

$30,203,939

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.2 – Technology Innovation

Sub-program 2.2.1 – Materials for Energy

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation
Implementation Strategy for Clean Transportation:

1.1.25
Develop advanced materials technologies for use in new energy-efficient vehicle design, with a view of reducing the environmental impacts in transportation.

Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.43
Develop new materials technologies in clean power generation, safe and reliable energy distribution and energy efficient end-use for use in industry.

1.1.44
Develop new materials technologies to transport fossil fuels more efficiently, with a view of reducing the environmental impacts from energy transportation.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

CanmetMATERIALS laboratory, located in the heart of the manufacturing sector in Hamilton, Ontario, supports the delivery of NRCan's mandate priorities related to clean technology and innovation and climate change mitigation. Collaboration with external research partners and industrial stakeholders is undertaken to develop new materials, technologies and processes leading to more fuel efficient vehicles, safer pipelines and cleaner energy production.

1.1.25 
In 2015-16, NRCan has contributed to the development of one new advanced materials technology that enables greater vehicle efficiency and thus decreases the emission of greenhouse gases. These efforts have led to the development of medium carbon stainless steels for producing lightweight automotive exhaust components. NRCan presented this technology to the industry partner who has now integrated this new stainless alloy into their specifications and will use the alloy for new applications. The medium carbon steel composition was validated and piloted at NRCan and will support the development of lightweight and fuel efficient vehicles.

1.1.43
NRCan is engaged in a range of projects with academia and industry to reduce GHG emissions associated with power generation. One approach to improve power generation efficiency is to increase the working temperature of the system. This provides the impetus for developing materials with high temperature capabilities, including mechanical properties and corrosion resistance at high temperatures. In 2015-16, an innovative coating technology that was developed by NRCan was transferred to a Canadian company to improve the safety of current Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactors. The coating can be utilized to help prevent the accidental release of heavy radioactive water from CANDU plants. Sustained nuclear energy production requires materials resistant to degradation thus improving operational safety.

1.1.44
To ensure reliable operation, public safety, and environmental protection, the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines must include strategies for controlling material issues (such as corrosion and material defects). NRCan conducts R&D with partners in industry and academia to develop and validate new materials and technologies, to extend the life of oil and gas pipelines, increase pipeline capacity and efficiency, and ensure pipeline integrity and reliability.

In 2015-16, NRCan developed and validated a new pipeline fracture toughness test method that has been approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). The standard provides a safe and economic method for design and materials selection to prevent fracture in modern high-pressure gas pipelines, ensuring pipeline safety and integrity and protection of the environment.

Program 2.2 – Technology Innovation

Sub-program 2.2.2 – Green Mining

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation

Implementation Strategies for Clean Technology and Industry:

1.1.7
Work with industry stakeholders and technology developers to reduce the environmental footprint and impacts of the mining industry.

Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.42
Support Science & Technology of innovative solutions for environmental challenges in the energy sector, with a view of reducing the environmental impacts and producing and using energy in a more clean and efficient way.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.7
CanmetMINING has contributed to the development of:

• An innovative method to use Biochars to help convert mine tailings waste into soils capable of supporting biological growth without metal transfer and dispersion into the food chain. As a result more spoiled land will be put back into productive use, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.
• A process for the treatment of oil-sands-produced waste water for recovery and recycle of water in in-situ oil sands. This new process will improve water management by producing clean water suitable for reuse, recycle or disposal. As a result the demand for fresh water will be reduced and less land will be required for tailings ponds. If adopted widely by industry, this technology could result in water recovery in excess of 95% and CO2 reductions in the order of 30%.

1.1.42
CanmetMINING has contributed to the development of:

• A small scale demonstration project in collaboration with the Green Mining Initiative Advisory committee that maps recoverable waste energy in the grinding circuit of rock. The project identified that 97% of the energy is dissipated in low-grade heat in slurry and it is very difficult to recuperate. Further work is underway to identify ways to improve energy efficiency in the grinding circuit.
• An improved efficiency in a grinding mill, and reduced energy costs by building and successfully testing the 3D free falling rock sizing sensor prototype in a rock quarry in Bedford, QC, in collaboration with INO (National Optics Institute), BBA (Canadian consulting engineering firm) and Graymont (mining company). By understanding the type of rock, its size and hardness, it is possible to better calibrate the rock crushing and grinding circuit, and thus reduce energy consumption.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: Enhancing Competitiveness in a Changing Climate

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16
$198,950*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$198,768

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.2 – Technology Innovation

Sub-program 2.2.3 – Clean Energy Science and Technology

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation

Implementation Strategies for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:

1.1.42 
Support Science & Technology of innovative solutions for environmental challenges in the energy sector, with a view of reducing the environmental impacts and producing and using energy in a more clean and efficient way

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.42 
NRCan supports the research, development and demonstration (RD&D) of clean energy projects, which are instrumental in reducing environmental impacts and producing and using energy in a more clean and efficient way.

NRCan's Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD) and ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) continued to support a significant number of leading-edge clean energy RD&D projects in 2015-16. Through PERD, NRCan funded 145 clean energy RD&D projects in 2015-16 at federal departments and agencies, on a range of issues in energy supply, distribution and end use. Through the ecoEII, NRCan continued to support around 230 R&D projects conducted by federal departments and agencies, as well as around 70 RD&D projects funded through contribution agreements and implemented by external recipients (e.g. private sector, universities, etc.). The work of ecoEII was focused on five strategic priority areas: energy efficiency, clean energy and renewable fuels, bioenergy, electrification of transportation, and unconventional oil and gas.

In addition, NRCan’s CanmetENERGY laboratories - Canada’s leading research and technology organization in the field of clean energy - were active in R&D projects in several areas, including fuel-efficient vehicles, cleaner fuels, carbon capture and storage technologies, energy efficient solutions for homes, buildings and communities, bioenergy, responsible oil sands development and improvement of industrial processes.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16
$46,488,000*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$45,804,658 *

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 2.3 – Responsible Natural Resource Development

Sub-program 2.3.1 – Forest Ecosystem Science and Application

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation

Implementation Strategies for International Work on Climate Change:

1.1.50
Work to implement Canada's commitments concluded in international climate change negotiations 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. (ECCC, NRCan)

Goal 5: Biological Resources

Target 5.3: Sustainable Forest Management

Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Forest Management:

5.3.1
Provide scientific knowledge of Canada’s forest ecosystems to industry and non-governmental organizations, with the view of enabling the establishment of practices to mitigate the environmental impact of natural resource development. (NRCan)

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.1.50
The department has taken steps in the following manner:

1. NRCan produced 2015 estimates for the contribution of forests to Canada’s 2020 and 2030 GHG emission reduction targets to inform, among others, the submissions of Canada’s Intended National Domestic Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) GEO-6 North American Region Assessment.
2. Estimates contributing to ECCC’s National Inventory Report of GHG emissions were provided to ECCC and have been used in the 2016 National Inventory Report. Estimates of forest sector contributions to GHG emissions and removals were also provided for the State of Canada’s Forest Report and the Forest Resource Assessment (FRA2015) of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

5.3.1
NRCan was represented on 100 forest ecosystem advisory boards and committees. In addition, the department published over 100 peer-reviewed papers providing knowledge on environmental impacts that result from forestry practices on the sustainable management of forests. NRCan continued work on the synthesis of 10 years of research results from the Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance (EMEND) project on the effectiveness of ecosystem-based management in the western boreal. A forest products company, Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. (DMI) continually tweaks its practices around harvest-retention design based on EMEND research findings.

Program 2.3 – Responsible Natural Resource Development

Sub-program 2.3.2 - Groundwater Geoscience

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Availability

Target 3.12: Water Resource Management

Implementation Strategies for Water Resource Management:

3.12.6
Provide governments and industry with access to necessary groundwater geoscience information.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

3.12.6
The Groundwater Geoscience Program has been successful at developing a web portal, Groundwater Information Network (GIN), that connects information from various government sources (federal, provincial and municipal), on numerous aspects, including water well databases, water monitoring data, aquifer and geology maps, and hydrogeology-related publications. Governments, industry and other stakeholders can now easily access key groundwater geoscience information. This portal and its databases are fully compliant with the Federal Geospatial Platform (FGP), which will allow for future integration of the two applications, thereby increasing the accessibility of the information. The Program has also led a submission of an international groundwater data standard (GWML) to the Open Geospatial Consortium authorities, which demonstrates our leadership on data management and dissemination on the international scene. Additionally, advances have been made to consolidate a data framework for groundwater information in Southern-Ontario. The Program is making progress also in the development of remote sensing technologies that will allow for a quantitative evaluation of the groundwater resources within the calculation of a water budget for the country.

Program 2.3 – Responsible Natural Resource Development

Sub-program 2.3.4 - Radioactive Waste Management

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Availability

Target 3.3: Great Lakes – Canadian Areas of Concern

Implementation Strategies for Great Lakes – Canadian Areas of Concern:

3.3.3
Implement long-term management solutions to clean up radioactive waste in the Port Hope area.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

3.3.3
The Port Hope Area Initiative is on track. The Port Hope Harbour clean-up/dredging is underway as planned. The harbour walls will be repaired in 2019 with dredging, cleanup and placement of the material into the Long Term Waste Management Facility in 2020.

Program 3.1 – Protection for Canadians and Natural Resources

Sub-program 3.1.3 – Forest Disturbances Science and Application

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.2: Climate Change Adaptation

Implementation Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation:

1.2.4
Support adaptation by enabling the integrated assessment of the implications of climate change for Canada’s forest sector.

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians
Target 4.6: Invasive Alien Species
Implementation Strategies for Invasive Alien Species:

4.6.3
Help governments, agencies and industry manage risks to natural resource sectors, infrastructure and human health by providing scientific knowledge on forest disturbances, including pests.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.2.4
An integrated assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on the forest sector was completed in 2015-16. These impacts are expected to interact in complex ways and to vary regionally, and this increases the risk and uncertainties for forest management planning across most of the country. In order to support forest sector adaptation, the Department provided forest managers with indicators and a ready-to-use, science-based adaptation toolkit for forest change tracking and adaptation.

4.6.3
NRCan provided science-based tools, advice, and management approaches to organizations in charge of managing risks to forest and trade posed by invasive alien species infestations across Canada, in both rural and urban areas. More specifically, NRCan scientists supported the operational deployment of a biological control for emerald ash borer using parasitoids and fungi. NRCan also provided the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) with advanced trapping systems for early detection of alien insects in support of Canada`s plant protection mandate. NRCan also provided the CFIA with an impact analysis of brown spruce longhorn beetle in Nova Scotia to inform future management decisions.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: Enhancing Competitiveness in a Changing Climate

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16
$873,256*

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$827,370*

* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 3.1 – Protection for Canadians and Natural Resources

Sub-program 3.1.4 – Climate Change Adaptation

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 1: Climate Change
Target 1.2: Climate Change Adaptation

Implementation Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation:

1.2.3
Implement the Adaptation Platform to enable collaboration on adaptation including the development and exchange of information, tools and expertise. (NRCan)

1.2.11
Work with governments and communities in the North (north of 60° latitude) to ensure that they have information on adaptation measures. (NRCan)

1.2.13
Support adaptation by improving knowledge on the climate change impacts on mine waste management and effluent treatment in the North.

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

1.2.3
Further developed member networks through delivery of Canada’s Adaptation Platform, an NRCan led initiative that brings together key groups from government, industry and national organizations to collaborate on climate change adaptation priorities.

Completed a series of knowledge products to aid in adaptation work in the economic sector, including delivery of the first regional studies of the cost and benefits of adaptation to sea level rise on Canada’s Atlantic coasts (this work is already being used by the community of Percé in their coastal protection planning) and collaborated with Canada’s professional accountants to help prepare their membership of 190,000+ to address adaptation in their work.

To increase resilience to future climate change impacts in the energy sector knowledge and tools that will assist in the planning and management of energy demand, hydro-power, and electricity were delivered.

Initiated work to identify opportunities to enhance uptake and use of results and explore development of additional products.

Held 12 webinars to communicate results and available products in a timely and cost-effective manner, and realized continued increased participation in the series over previous years. 

1.2.11
NRCan information and data models on climate warming and its effect on permafrost that was incorporated into territorial government road transportation planning and maintenance. In addition the Department developed new remote sensing methods to assess permafrost terrain changes as well as new geophysical methods to assess changes in permafrost over time and then provided new data to Nunavut Airport Authority to assist with decision-making about the facility. NRCan also developed a preliminary coastal erosion model and applied in Tuktoyaktuk to predict siltation rates to support planned dredging activities. Finally, the Department completed sea-level projections and results that were included "in Canada’s Marine Coasts in a Changing Climate” report.

1.2.13
Under the auspices of the Adaptation Platform, NRCan has assessed for the past 5 years the current mine waste management and effluent treatment practices in the North with respect to their ability to accommodate the impacts of a changing climate. Using field and laboratory testing, the project examined the suitability of permafrost-based mine waste management practices across the three territories. The results have shown that Nunavut has less permafrost disappearance than Northwest Territories and Yukon due mainly to reduced human activities in that territory. In terms of waste management, strategies have been proposed for long term stability. Overall, the use of an appropriate geoenvironmental ore deposit model is recommended for all mining related activities in the North.

Clean Air Agenda

Program Name: Enhancing Competitiveness in a Changing Climate

Total CAA Program Planned Spending for 2015-16
$5,005,079 *

Total CAA Program Actual Spending for 2015-16
$4,871,613*

‘* funding identified excludes funding in Internal Services that support Clean Air Agenda Programs

Program 3.1 – Protection for Canadians and Natural Resources

Sub-program 3.1.5 – Geohazards and Public Safety

2013-16 FSDS
Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians
Target 4.7: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies
Implementation Strategies for Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies:

4.7.4
In accordance with mandated responsibilities, provide environmental information to reduce the risk of, and advice in response to, the occurrence of events such as polluting incidents, wildlife disease events or severe weather and other significant hydro-meteorological events as applicable.

Ensure other levels of government, private sector and professional organizations involved in emergency management in Canada have access to accurate hazard information and hazard mitigation knowledge products for decision making (e.g. in the event of landslides, tsunamis, and radiological and nuclear incidents).

Expected Result(s) and PMF Indicator(s)

2015-16 Results

4.7.4
NRCan regularly participated in the development and revision of Government of Canada Emergency Management Plans including the Interagency Volcanic Event Notification Protocol, Atlantic Canada Tsunami Protocol, Earthquake Contingency Plan, Earthquake Response Protocol, Flood Plan, and Satellite Imagery Acquisition Plan. NRCan also participated in scenario development for Exercise Pacific Quake, a full-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise held in June 2016.

NRCan developed the 2015 Seismic Hazards Maps as input to the National Building Code of Canada and published the associated Seismic Hazard Calculator on the Earthquakes Canada website. NRCan also completed a Threat Assessment of Earthquakes in Canada for the Public Safety Government Operations Centre. Critical advice and collaboration for seismic risk reduction was provided by NRCan scientists to numerous organizations which included Emergency Management BC's Seismic Safety Council, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and the Standing Committee on Earthquake Design of the National Building Code of Canada. Guidance by NRCan experts was provided to Public Safety Canada on the way forward for natural hazard risk assessment in Canada.

NRCan also prepared and presented numerous hazards presentations for other government departments (e.g., Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Safety Canada) and international agencies (e.g., Government of Israel).

A seismic hazard assessment and marine geology and geomorphology maps for British Columbia's North Coast were released to support the World Class Tanker Safety Initiative. NRCan also published and publically launched an earthquake risk assessment for the District of North Vancouver which garnered much media attention and publication downloads.

Space weather impact assessments and technical guidelines for reduction of impacts on satellites were published by NRCan.

Authoritative earthquake and space weather information are posted on NRCan web sites, Twitter, and the Government’s Multi-Agency Situation Awareness System (MASAS) and disseminated via e-mail and other methods to the Public Safety Government Operations Centre, critical infrastructure operators and media outlets. Furthermore, NRCan scientists have responded to hundreds of requests for information about hazards from the media and public, as well as requests for technical information and data from engineers and academics.