Horizontal Initiative – Natural Climate Solutions Fund

General Information

Name of horizontal initiative	Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF)
Lead department	Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Federal partner departments	Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Start date of the horizontal initiative	2021-22
End date of the horizontal initiative	2030-31^{Footnote 1}
Description of the horizontal initiative	Canada’s Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF) is a horizontal initiative established to leverage the inherent ability of natural ecosystems to sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. This initiative includes three separate but related, programs: Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) 2 Billion Trees program, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Agricultural Climate Solutions. NRCan is the lead department for the Horizontal Initiative Framework, supported by ECCC and AAFC.
Governance structures	The Horizontal Initiative is governed by an ADM Oversight Committee that is chaired by the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Canadian Forest Service, NRCan, and includes the ADM of the Canadian Wildlife Service, ECCC, and the ADM of Programs Branch, AAFC. The Oversight Committee is responsible for ensuring that the NCSF is properly managed, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, seeking conflict resolution, liaising with the central agencies and ensuring appropriate operation of an external Advisory Committee. A Director General Steering Committee chaired by NRCan, with representation from ECCC and AAFC, supports the Oversight Committee to guide effective and efficient implementation of the initiative, ensure coordination across the three departments, and ensure timely and accurate reporting on results and financial information. Additionally, there are three Director-level working groups, all chaired by NRCan with representation from ECCC and AAFC: Coordination Working Group – this group oversees approaches to improving coordination across the three departments. Indigenous Collaboration Working Group – this group ensures coordinated and effective approaches to work with Indigenous peoples in a way that reduces administrative burden and reflects the Government’s commitment to reconciliation, for example through extensive engagement and meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples. Horizontal Reporting Working Group – this group ensures coordination on and fulfillment of the requirements of the horizontal reporting framework and results tracking. This working group may establish a sub-group to provide specific oversight on the reporting of GHG emission reductions and removals due to NCSF activities.
Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars)	$5,499,584,795^{Footnote 2}
Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)	$649,178,010
Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)	$651,490,037
Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative	Not applicable
Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars)	Not applicable
Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars)	Not applicable
Total planned spending since the last renewal	Not applicable
Total actual spending since the last renewal	Not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation	2025-2026, led by NRCan with support from ECCC and AAFC
Performance highlights	As lead department for the Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF) Horizontal Initiative, NRCan works closely with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to coordinate implementation and reporting on the three NCSF programs: 2 Billion Trees, Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, and Agricultural Climate Solutions. In 2023-24, 289 projects were supported by NCSF programs. Key performance highlights for 2023-24 include: Continued progress towards contributing to the Government of Canada’s goal of planting two billion incremental trees through the 2 Billion Trees program (2BT) led by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). In 2023-24, 2BT signed contribution agreements that represented plans to plant an additional 280.5 million trees. As of March 31, 2024, the program has agreements committed or under negotiation to plant over 553 million trees, representing nearly $1 billion in funding. In 2023-24, 2BT supported 122 projects. Funded organizations reporting the planting of nearly 46.6 million trees, representing 280 distinct species at more than 1,600 sites in 11 provinces and territories. Projects funded through the program have included capacity building; support for species at risk, including woodland caribou; creation and restoration of forest ecosystems on lands damaged by wildfire, pests and other disturbances; increased carbon capture; and the creation of parks and greenspaces in and around cities. In 2023-24, 36% of all supported projects were urban, and 21% were Indigenous-led. Funding for 140 projects under the Nature-Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), for a total of $128.6 million invested in 2023-24. In 2023-24, NSCSF pursued engagement and capacity building activities to improve knowledge sharing about existing and potential NSCSF emission reduction projects, generate collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and share new information on natural climate solutions. Under Strategy 1: Science for Initiative Delivery and Accountability, ECCC funded 30 projects for a total of $3.0 million. These projects will improve the knowledge base on natural climate solutions in Canada by supporting research on carbon mapping and quantification, drivers and emissions related to ecosystem disturbances, better understanding biodiversity co-benefits, and strengthening the Canadian National Wetland Inventory. Under Strategy 2: Emission Reduction Activities, ECCC completed directed application-based funding processes for emission reduction projects that led to the approval of 19 new projects and amendments to existing projects. ECCC invested a total of $116.8 million in emission reduction projects in 2023-24 that will contribute to Canada's 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas reduction targets while providing co-benefits for biodiversity and human well-being. Under Strategy 3: Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions, ECCC supported 34 projects for a total of $8.9 million in 2023-24. These projects are led by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and provide funding for Indigenous peoples to undertake natural climate solutions projects in accordance with their unique needs and identified priorities, build capacity, and participate in research and data collection activities that are bridging, braiding and weaving Indigenous science and traditional knowledge with western science approaches. Continued support to farmers to increase soil carbon sequestration, reduce GHG emissions, and improve resiliency to climate change through the two streams of the Agricultural Climate Solutions Program (ACS) led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Under the Living Labs stream, five new living labs were established in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) adding to the nine living labs already in place across the country. In PEI, for example, new beneficial farming practices using cover crops and companion crops were investigated to reduce soil erosion, and nutrient loss, increase yield, and mitigate GHG emissions. Under the ACS On-Farm Climate Action Fund stream, an additional project with the Manitoba Métis Federation was announced in July 2023 bringing the total to 13 project recipients nationwide and representing total funding of up to $189.9 million. These projects are supporting over 4000 producers to adopt beneficial management practices (BMP) in the areas of nitrogen management, cover cropping and rotational grazing.
Contact information	Susy Domenicano A/Executive Director, Natural Climate Solutions Division, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada 580 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E6 613-859-1202 susy.domenicano@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Shared outcomes:

Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars) ^{Footnote 3}

Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF)	T1: 2 Billion Trees (2BT)	T2: Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF)	T3: Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS)	Internal Services
Shared outcome(s)	Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through planting 2 billion incremental trees while achieving environmental and human wellbeing co-benefits	Reduce GHG emissions in Canada by conserving, restoring and improving the management of ecosystems while achieving biodiversity and human wellbeing co-benefits	Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through climate smart ecosystems. Increase land area supporting reduced GHG emissions. Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Canadian agriculture sector
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)	$3,199,392,648			$10,099,426
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)		$1,411,092,147		$27,074,434
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)			ACS – Living Labs: $185,000,000 ACS – OFCAF^{Footnote 4}: $704,100,000	ACS – Living Labs: $6,284,033 ACS – OFCAF: $15,880,219 TOTAL: $22,164,252
Total	$3,199,392,648	$1,411,092,147	$889,100,000	$59,338,112

Performance Information^{Footnote 5}

Name of horizontal initiative: Natural Climate Solutions Fund

Total federal funding allocated (dollars): $5,499,584,795

2023-24 Planned spending (dollars): $588,601,848

2023-24 Actual spending (dollars): $400,311,651

Horizontal Initiative Overview

Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s)	Performance indicator(s)	Target(s)	Date to achieve target^{Footnote 6}	2023-24 Actual results
Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through natural climate solutions	Annual GHG emission reductions through NCSF	Annually increasing emissions reductions, reaching 7-10 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year by 2030	March 31, 2031 (final results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 7}
	Projected long-term (2050) GHG emission reductions through NCSF	Projected emission reduction of 16-20 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year by 2050	March 31, 2031 (final results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 8}
Achieve environmental co-benefits through natural climate solutions	Cumulative total land area restored through NCSF	Annually increasing, with interim target TBD by March 31, 2025^{Footnote 9}; final target of 1.32 Mha restored	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	56,852 hectares
	Cumulative total land area under improved management through NCSF	Annually increasing, with interim target TBD by March 31, 2025; final target of 0.2-0.36 Mha under improved management		5,431 hectares
Achieve human well being co-benefits through natural climate solutions	Number of aggregate direct jobs created through NCSF	2285-2771 people directly employed each year	Annual, starting in 2024	Not available^{Footnote 10}

Theme 1 Details^{Footnote 11}

Name of theme: 2 Billion Trees

Total federal funding allocated (dollars): $3,199,392,648

2023-24 Planned spending (dollars): $300,955,408

2023-24 Actual spending (dollars): $117,494,819

Theme outcome(s)	Theme performance indicator(s)	Theme target(s)	Date to achieve theme target^{Footnote 12}	2023-24 Actual results
Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through planting 2 billion incremental trees	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted	Annually increasing, reaching cumulative total of 2 billion trees	March 31, 2031	102,486,699 trees
	Cumulative total area planted with incremental trees	Annually increasing, reaching cumulative total of 1.1 million hectares	March 31, 2031	56,582 hectares
	Annual GHG emission reductions	Annually increasing emission reductions, reaching up to 2 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year by 2030	March 31, 2031 (final results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 13}
	Projected long-term (2050) GHG emission reductions	Projected emission reduction of up to 11-12 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year by 2050	March 31, 2031 (final results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 14}
Achieve environmental co-benefits through tree planting	Cumulative total area planted that contributes to forest habitat restoration for species at risk and other species of interest	Annually increasing, reaching cumulative total of 70,000-90,000 hectares (target to be confirmed by March 31, 2025)	March 31, 2031	2,777 hectares
Achieve environmental co-benefits through tree planting	Cumulative total area planted that contributes to increased forest resilience to climate change	Annually increasing, with final target to be determined by March 31, 2025	March 31, 2031	54,256 hectares
Achieve human wellbeing co-benefits through tree planting	Number of aggregate direct, indirect and induced jobs created	3600-4300 people employed each year due to 2BT, starting in 2024	Annual, starting in 2024	Not available^{Footnote 15}
	Percent of large (500+ FTEs) and medium (100-499 FTEs) organization funding recipients that have Diversity and Inclusion Plans	Annually increasing, with 100% of large and medium organization funding recipients having Diversity and Inclusion Plans by March 31, 2031	March 31, 2031	83%
	Percent of under-represented groups in the tree planting and related activity workforce of large and medium organization funding recipients	Annually increasing; final targets of: 45% women, 9% immigrants, 6% visible minorities, 3% Indigenous women in tree planting and related activity workforce supported by 2BT	March 31, 2031	25.8% women, 2.9% immigrants, 6.5% visible minorities, 7.7% Indigenous women in 2023-24

Theme 1 Horizontal Initiative Activities^{Footnote 16}

Departments: Natural Resources Canada

Link to department’s Program Inventory: Forest Climate Change Program

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity target(s)	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target^{Footnote 17}	2023-24 Actual results
2BT Activity 1: Provinces /Territories (PT) stream	$1,350,000,000	$127,559,668	$29,450,453	PTs increase incremental tree planting	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted through PT stream	Annually increasing; interim target TBD by March 31, 2025 final target of 1.16 - 1.19 billion trees	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	56,432,707 trees
2BT Activity 1: Private Land stream	$660,000,000	$62,382,060	$25,460,611	Incremental tree planting on private lands is increased	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted on private lands through stream	Annually increasing; interim target TBD by March 31, 2025; final target more then 500 million trees	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	28,618,118 trees
2BT Activity 1: Private Land stream	$660,000,000	$62,382,060	$25,460,611	Incremental tree planting on private lands is increased	Number of landowners supported through Private Land stream	Interim and final targets TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	338 landowners in 2023-24
2BT Activity 1: Urban Land stream	$500,000,000	$47,259,136	$28,423,617	Community-led initiatives for urban tree planting and management across Canada are increased	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted in urban environments	Annually increasing; interim target TBD by March 31, 2025; final target 5-7 million trees	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	1,272,951 trees
2BT Activity 1: Urban Land stream	$500,000,000	$47,259,136	$28,423,617		Number of communities supported through Urban Land stream	Interim and final targets TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	66 communities in 2023-24
2BT Activity 1: Indigenous stream	$500,000,000	$47,259,136	$18,491,820	Indigenous-led initiatives for tree planting across Canada are increased	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted through Indigenous stream	Annually increasing; final target 180 million trees	March 31, 2031	15,276,362 trees
2BT Activity 1: Indigenous stream	$500,000,000	$47,259,136	$18,491,820		Number of Indigenous organizations supported	Interim and final targets TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	8 organizations in 2023-24
2BT Activity 1: Federal Land stream	$50,000,000	$2,283,220	$3,640,550	Federal departments and agencies increase incremental tree planting	Cumulative total number of incremental trees planted through Federal Land stream	Annually increasing; interim and final targets TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	884,987 trees
2BT Activity 2: Estimate and report on GHG impacts - New	$25,000,000	$2,574,387	$2,790,673	2BT reports on annual GHG impacts	Production of GHG emissions estimates for 2BT-supported mitigation activities for Canada’s GHG National Inventory Report^{Footnote 18}	Estimates produced annually	Annual, starting March 31, 2024	Not available^{Footnote 19}
2BT Activity 2: Estimate and report on GHG impacts - Existing	$19,884,439	$1,990,359	$135,316	2BT reports on annual GHG impacts		Estimates produced annually	Annual, starting March 31, 2024	Not available^{Footnote 19}
2BT Activity 3: NRCan research to improve 2BT outcomes - New	$7,200,000	$741,424	$803,710	NRCan research related to tree planting and carbon sequestration and monitoring is enhanced	Cumulative total number of scientific/ technical articles and reports published by NRCan supported through the stream	Annually increasing; interim and final target TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	18 scientific/technical articles and reports
2BT Activity 3: NRCan research to improve 2BT outcomes - Existing	$11,961,506	$1,197,303	$38,971					18 scientific/technical articles and reports

Theme 1 Other Administrative Costs^{Footnote 20}

Departments	Link to department’s Program Inventory	Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)
NRCan	Forest Climate Change Program	2BT Other Costs – Support for Activity 1	$50,447,990	$5,194,907	$5,631,194
		2BT Other 2BT Costs – Capital	$4,300,000	$400,000	$400,000
		2BT Other Costs – Other	$9,598,091	$956,073	$1,070,169
		2BT Other Costs – Other Existing	$901,195	$90,216	$90,216

Theme 2 Details^{Footnote 21}

Name of theme: Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund

Total federal theme funding allocated (dollars): $1,411,092,147

2023-24 Federal theme planned spending (dollars): $145,606,106

2023-24 Federal theme actual spending (dollars): $146,499,524

Theme outcome(s)	Theme performance indicator(s)	Theme target(s)	Date to achieve theme target^{Footnote 22}	2023-24 Actual results
Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through NSCSF	Annual GHG emission reductions (Mt)	Annually increasing emission reductions, reaching 5-7 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year	March 31, 2031 (results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 23}
Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through NSCSF	Projected long-term (2050) GHG emission reductions	Projected emission reduction of 5-7 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e per year by 2050	March 31, 2031 (results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 24}
Land area supporting reduced GHG emissions is increased	Cumulative total area restored	Annually increasing, reaching a cumulative total of 0.22 Mha of area restored	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 25}
Land area supporting reduced GHG emissions is increased	Cumulative total area under improved management	Annually increasing, reaching cumulative total of 0.06-0.16 Mha of area under improved management	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 26}
Achieve human wellbeing co-benefits through climate smart activities	Number of direct jobs	41 direct jobs in 2021, 55 in 2022, 10-year target of 1626-2717 jobs; 185-271 people directly employed each year due to NSCSF, starting in 2025 (to be confirmed by March 31, 2025)	Annual, starting in 2023	Not available^{Footnote 27}

Theme 2 Horizontal Initiative Activities^{Footnote 28}

Departments: ECCC

Link to department’s Program Inventory: Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation; Habitat Conservation and Protection

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity target(s)	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target^{Footnote 29}	2023-24 Actual results
NSCSF Strategy 1: Science for Initiative Delivery and Accountability	$155,747,194	$17,900,148	$12,282,438	Improved methodologies in the land sector of the GHG National Inventory Report (NIR)	Number of methodological improvements for the land sector implemented in each annual edition of the NIR, i.e., Scientific publications and reports supporting, refining, and/or validating inventory methodological accuracy	12 documented studies resulting in improvement or validations of inventory methodologies	March 31, 2031	3 methodological improvements
NSCSF Strategy 2: Emission Reduction Activities	$1,155,264,257	$115,294,454	$124,201,609	Partners carry out natural climate solutions	Total area stewarded for GHG mitigation	0.28-0.38 Mha	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 30}
					Total area secured for GHG mitigation	0.046-0.156 Mha^{Footnote 31}	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 32}
					Net change in policies driving ecosystem conversion relative to the land-base	Positive policy trend in “policy-hectares”	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031; Reported at least twice during the initiative	Not available^{Footnote 33}
					Projected cumulative GHG emission reductions by 2050	TBD by March 31, 2025	Final target by March 31, 2031 (reported in 2032-33)	Not available^{Footnote 34}
NSCSF Strategy 3: Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions	$100,080,696	$12,411,504	$10,015,477	Indigenous partners are engaged in climate smart ecosystems	Number of Indigenous-led projects supported	TBD by March 31, 2025	Interim target by March 31, 2026; final target by March 31, 2031	31 projects

Theme 3 Details^{Footnote 35}

Name of theme: Agricultural Climate Solutions

Total federal theme funding allocated (dollars): $889,100,000

2023-24 Federal theme planned spending (dollars): $142,040,334

2023-24 Federal theme actual spending (dollars): $136,317,308

Theme outcome(s)	Theme performance indicator(s)	Theme target(s)	Date to achieve theme target^{Footnote 36}	2023-24 Actual results
Reduce GHG emissions in Canada through climate smart ecosystems	Annual GHG emission reductions in 2030 (Mt)	Annually increasing emission reductions, reaching 0.2-1.78 megatonnes (Mt) CO₂e per year	March 31, 2031 (results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 37}
	Projected long-term (2050) GHG emission reductions	Projected emission reduction of 0.2-1.78 megatonnes (Mt) CO₂e per year by 2050	March 31, 2031 (results to be reported in 2032-33 Departmental Results Report)	Not available^{Footnote 38}
Land area supporting reduced GHG emissions is increased	Cumulative total area under improved management	Annually increasing, reaching cumulative total of 0.14-0.2 Mha under improved management	March 31, 2031	5,431 hectares^{Footnote 39}

Theme 3 Horizontal Initiative Activities

Departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Link to department’s Program Inventory: Environment and Climate Change Programs

Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)	2023-24 Horizontal initiative activity target(s)	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-24 Actual results
Establishment of a pan-Canadian wide network of Living Labs	$185,000,000	$23,396,051	$22,726,869	Establishment of partnerships to encourage diversity in engagement and participation in co-development	Number of partnerships established, including breakdown for under-represented groups	Preliminary analysis projects a target of 900 partnerships, based on the current data (target to be updated by March 31, 2025, pending 2023-24 data)^{Footnote 40}	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 41}
				Producers’ adoption of carbon sequestering BMPs is increased	Percentage of farms adopting carbon sequestering BMPs in priority locations	TBD by March 31, 2025	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 42}
				Sequestration of GHGs on Canadian agricultural lands is increased	Increase in annual Land Sector GHG sink due to ACS by March 31, 2031	0.2-1.78 MtCO₂e	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 43}
Data strategy allowing for reporting of carbon sequestration and environmental co-benefits				Incorporation of targeted farm practices into Canada’s GHG National Inventory Report (NIR)	Number of additional farm practices that are included in Canada’s NIR	Incorporate the following by 2026 NIR: Conservation Tillage, Summer Fallow and Perennial/ Annual Crop Mix; Cover Cropping, Crop Rotations, Fertilizer Use, and Small Scale Features (shelterbelts, etc.)	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Footnote 44}
On-Farm Climate Action Fund^{Footnote 45}	$704,100,000	$118,644,283	$113,590,439	Increased adoption of beneficial management practices (fertilizer and nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing)	Cumulative total land area under improved management	Annually increasing; preliminary analysis projects a target of 3.9 million acres (1.6 million hectares) (target to be updated by March 31, 2025 pending 2023-24 data)^{Footnote 46}	March 31, 2028	1.32 Mha^{Footnote 47}
On-Farm Climate Action Fund^{Footnote 45}	$704,100,000	$118,644,283	$113,590,439	Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reduced in the Canadian agriculture sector	Projected carbon sequestered in agricultural soils to 2030 due to adoption of BMPs in two areas: through adoption of cover crop BMPs through adoption of rotational grazing BMPs GHG emissions reduction projected to 2030 due to adoption of BMPs in two areas: through adoption of improved fertilizer/nitrogen management BMPs through adoption of cover crop BMPs	Annually increasing; preliminary analysis projects a target of up to 2.88 Megatonnes (Mts) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) of GHG emissions by 2028 (target to be updated by March 31, 2025 pending 2023-24 data)^{Footnote 48}	March 31, 2028	0.18 Mt CO2e^{Footnote 49}

Internal Services (IS)

Theme (Federal Organization)	Total federal funding allocated (dollars)	2023-24 Total federal planned spending (dollars)	2023-24 Actual spending (dollars)
2 Billion Trees (NRCan)	$10,099,427	$1,067,519	$1,067,519
Nature Smart Climate Solutions (ECCC)	$27,074,434	$3,138,791	$3,138,791
Agricultural Climate Solutions (AAFC)	ACS – Living Labs: $6,284,033 ACS – OFCAF: $15,880,219 TOTAL: $22,164,252	ACS – Living Labs: $768,948 ACS – OFCAF: $2,223,023 TOTAL: $2,991,971	ACS – Living Labs: $768,948 ACS – OFCAF: $2,223,023 TOTAL: $2,991,971
Total	$59,338,113	$7,198,281	$7,198,281

Total Spending, All Themes

Theme	Total federal funding allocated (dollars)	2023-24 Total federal planned spending (dollars)	2023-24 Total federal actual spending (dollars)
2 Billion Trees	$3,199,392,648	$300,955,408	$117,494,819
Nature Smart Climate Solutions	$1,411,092,147	$145,606,106	$146,499,524
Agricultural Climate Solutions	ACS – Living Labs: $185,000,000 ACS – OFCAF: $704,100,000 TOTAL: $889,100,000	ACS – Living Labs: $23,396,051 ACS – OFCAF: $118,644,283 TOTAL: $142,040,334	ACS – Living Labs: $22,726,869 ACS – OFCAF: $113,590,439 TOTAL: $136,317,308
Total	$5,499,584,795	$588,601,848	$400,311,651

Footnotes

Footnote 1

AAFC’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) stream is seven years (2021-22 to 2027-28). Funding allocated in Budget 2022 to expand ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund is five years (2022-23 to 2026-27).

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Footnote 2

Total federal funding includes AAFC’s ACS-OFCAF program, which will be reported through the NCSF Horizontal Initiative, and additional funding allocated in Budget 2022 to expand ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.

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Footnote 3

Financial information presented under each theme represents the total federal funding allocated to each theme for all applicable fiscal years. The financial information includes all funding related to that theme, new and existing.

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Footnote 4

The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a seven-year (2021-22 to 2027-28) stream of the Agricultural Climate Solutions Program that was established in response to a Budget 2021 commitment. Program reporting for the duration of OFCAF will align with the horizontal results framework of the NCSF and has been included in the NCSF Horizontal Initiative SIT.

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Footnote 5

Financial information represents the total federal funding allocated to the Horizontal Initiative for all applicable fiscal years and planned and actual spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that outcome, new and existing.

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Footnote 6

By 2025, reporting will have started on all indicators.

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Footnote 7

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

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Footnote 8

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

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Footnote 9

The deadline for finalizing the remaining final targets for horizontal and program indicators was moved to March 31, 2025. This adjusted deadline corresponds with the timeline provided in the Management Action Plan following the Commission for Environment and Sustainable Development’s (CESD) Forest and Climate Change Audit released on April 20, 2023, and would account for potential changes to NCSF programs within the context of the CESD Audit response. This footnote applies to all instances where the deadline to develop missing interim and final targets was changed from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

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Footnote 10

Reporting for this indicator to begin 2024-25

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Footnote 11

Financial information represents the total federal funding allocated to the 2BT program for all applicable fiscal years, and planned spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that theme, new and existing.

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Footnote 12

By 2025, reporting will have started on all indicators.

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Footnote 13

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

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Footnote 14

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

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Footnote 15

Reporting for this indicator to begin 2024-25.

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Footnote 16

Financial information represents the total federal funding allocated to each activity (and stream, for Activity 1) for all applicable fiscal years, and planned spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that activity, new and existing.

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Footnote 17

By 2025, reporting will have started on all indicators.

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Footnote 18

As the original language did not accurately reflect the result captured, the indicator was revised. The National Inventory Report used for reference does not include emissions “reductions,” but rather emissions “estimates”. The revision reflects this specificity.

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Footnote 19

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

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Footnote 20

This represents other operational costs associated with managing and implementing the 2 Billion Trees program.

Return to footnote 20 referrer

Footnote 21

Financial information represents the total federal funding for all applicable fiscal years and planned and actual spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that activity, new and existing.

Return to footnote 21 referrer

Footnote 22

By 2025, reporting will have started on all indicators.

Return to footnote 22 referrer

Footnote 23

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

Return to footnote 23 referrer

Footnote 24

Results for this indicator are anticipated to be available starting in 2024-25.

Return to footnote 24 referrer

Footnote 25

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 25 referrer

Footnote 26

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 26 referrer

Footnote 27

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 27 referrer

Footnote 28

Financial information represents the total federal funding allocated to each activity for all applicable fiscal years, and planned spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that activity, new and existing.

Return to footnote 28 referrer

Footnote 29

By 2025, reporting will have started on all indicators.

Return to footnote 29 referrer

Footnote 30

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 30 referrer

Footnote 31

Target value has been updated based on revised calculation.

Return to footnote 31 referrer

Footnote 32

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 32 referrer

Footnote 33

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 33 referrer

Footnote 34

NSCSF has projects that span over multiple years. No final reports are currently available.

Return to footnote 34 referrer

Footnote 35

Financial information represents the total federal funding for all applicable fiscal years, and planned and actual spending for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The financial information includes all funding related to that activity, new and existing, and also includes funding allocated to Public Works and Government Services Canada and Shared Services Canada.

Return to footnote 35 referrer

Footnote 36

Because the requirement to begin reporting on each indicator varies, not all indicators will have results each year.

Return to footnote 36 referrer

Footnote 37

Results are not expected until 2030.

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Footnote 38

Results are not expected until 2030.

Return to footnote 38 referrer

Footnote 39

Does not include data for 2023-24.

Return to footnote 39 referrer

Footnote 40

Edits made to the target due to the program expansion. The target is still preliminary and will be updated once more data is available by March 2025.

Return to footnote 40 referrer

Footnote 41

In 2022-23 a total of 573 partnerships were established including 336 core producers. Of 336 core producers, 6% women, 3% Indigenous people, 2% youth, 1% visible minorities. Data for 2023-24 will be available in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

Return to footnote 41 referrer

Footnote 42

Results not available for 2023-24.

Return to footnote 42 referrer

Footnote 43

Results are not expected until 2030.

Return to footnote 43 referrer

Footnote 44

Results not available for 2023-24.

Return to footnote 44 referrer

Footnote 45

The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a $670M, seven year (2021-22 to 2027-28) Stream of the Agricultural Climate Solutions Program that was established in response to a Budget 2021 commitment. Therefore, program reporting for the duration of OFCAF will align with the horizontal results framework of the NCSF.

Return to footnote 45 referrer

Footnote 46

Edits made to the target due to the program expansion. The target is still preliminary and will be updated once more data is available by March 2025.

Return to footnote 46 referrer

Footnote 47

Does not include data for 2023-24.

Return to footnote 47 referrer

Footnote 48

Edits made to the target due to the program expansion. The target is still preliminary and will be updated once more data is available by March 2025.

Return to footnote 48 referrer

Footnote 49

Does not include data for 2023-24.

Return to footnote 49 referrer

Page details

Date modified:: 2024-12-17

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Horizontal Initiative – Natural Climate Solutions Fund

General Information

Performance Information^{Footnote 5}

Horizontal Initiative Overview

Theme 1 Details^{Footnote 11}

Theme 1 Horizontal Initiative Activities^{Footnote 16}

Theme 2 Details^{Footnote 21}

Theme 3 Details^{Footnote 35}

Theme 3 Horizontal Initiative Activities

Internal Services (IS)

Page details

Horizontal Initiative – Natural Climate Solutions Fund

General Information

Performance InformationFootnote 5

Horizontal Initiative Overview

Theme 1 DetailsFootnote 11

Theme 1 Horizontal Initiative ActivitiesFootnote 16

Theme 2 DetailsFootnote 21

Theme 3 DetailsFootnote 35

Theme 3 Horizontal Initiative Activities

Internal Services (IS)

Page details

Performance Information^{Footnote 5}

Theme 1 Details^{Footnote 11}

Theme 1 Horizontal Initiative Activities^{Footnote 16}

Theme 2 Details^{Footnote 21}

Theme 3 Details^{Footnote 35}