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 - Clean Energy

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. (ACOA, NRCan)

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

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.

In particular, under this Sub Activity, NRCan will promote and facilitate the development of clean and renewable energy sources in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Energy Gateway initiative. This initiative seeks to bring together the federal and provincial governments, the private and public utilities, the private sector, and other energy stakeholders across Atlantic Canada to develop a regional strategy for the development of clean and renewable energy projects.

Relationship to FSDS Target

The Atlantic Energy Gateway initiative will foster regional cooperation and collaboration in the planning and operations of the Atlantic electricity sector, which will facilitate the development of clean and renewable energy in the region, thereby displacing GHG-emitting sources of electricity. Thus this initiative under Sub Activity - Domestic and International Energy Policy contributes indirectly to FSDS Target 1.1 - Climate Change Mitigation.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

This initiative sunsets in FY 2011-2012. Non Financial Performance Expectations apply to:

FYs 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

Expected Result and Indicators (Sub Activity 1.1.7)

NRCan senior management has access to quality advice and information for timely decisions on energy-related issues.

• Sector-specific advice, analysis and recommendations are available as requested by senior management.
• Senior management satisfaction with relevance and usefulness of advice, analysis and recommendations provided.

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;
• 1.1.43 - 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 degredation; adaptation actions; and provisions for transparency and accountability of climate change actions;
• 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.