ARCHIVED - Key Result 3: Canada is globally recognized as a responsible steward of our natural resources and is a leader in advancing sustainable development internationally

Final Progress Report on NRCan's Sustainable Development Strategy - Moving Forward

Summary

Of the 20 Targets:

• 19 targets have been completed.
• 1 target was revised (to reflect operational conditions and to ensure their successful completion).

A Snapshot of Some Accomplishments

Sustainable development involves integrated decision-making and cooperation from a number of stakeholders. Through its work, NRCan has contributed to the goal of positioning Canada to be globally recognized as a responsible steward of our natural resources and a leader in advancing sustainable development internationally.

• NRCan provided policy advice on the effectiveness of R&D in promoting more sustainable nuclear technologies with a reduced environmental footprint as a means to decrease GHG emissions in Canada and abroad. As a result, the Government of Canada signed the Generation IV Framework Agreement (treaty) with six other countries and the European Union plus two Nuclear System Arrangements that will allow Canada to jointly undertake R&D to achieve the stated goal. NRCan led the negotiations on the Canadian participation that should maintain market access for CANDU and related products and increase international dialogue related to energy conservation through the development of more efficient and advanced nuclear technologies.
• NRCan’s commitment to the sustainable development of Canada’s natural resources included optimizing social and economic benefits for Canadians. NRCan maintained and in some cases improved international market access for the products of Canada’s natural resource sectors. NRCan undertook trade promotion and facilitation activities in collaboration with Industry Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Environment Canada. For instance, training in wood frame housing systems was provided in China, Taiwan and Korea.
• To date, strong collaboration with Korean wood associations has further expanded to include the delivery of a number of technical seminars. In conjunction with Korean associations, promotional material targeted at consumers also being developed. Ongoing work also includes the establishment of three additional offshore offices or representatives to provide a base for Canadian products to be showcased and marketed. All the initiatives have resulted in greater knowledge and acceptance of Canadian wood products and our wood frame construction system to increase demand for Canadian wood products as well as an increase in opportunities for export growth to ensure the prosperity in the wood products sector.
• As an example of collaborative efforts to increase international dialogue related to sustainable development within the natural resource sectors, NRCan worked to strengthen India’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development, and worked to enhance the capacity and willingness of key stakeholders to effectively use NRCan-developed technology for concrete construction. This was carried out through an implementation program for High Volume Fly Ash in Concrete (HVFAC) technology, including demonstration projects, transfer of technology activities, and networking with standards and specifying bodies and organizations. Examples of initiatives conducted in India, which led to increased awareness by Indian industry, government authorities and other agencies of the benefits associated to the use HVFAC for sustainable development, include:
  • demonstration projects, which were successfully completed as planned;
  • several training programs on HVFAC technology, which were established and conducted in India;
  • the issuance of technical information (reports, publications) along with best practice Guidelines on the use and uptake of HVFAC technology.
• As part of a Groundwater Resources Management initiative in Brazil, NRCan enable the transfer of technologies to the professional staff of the Geological Survey of Brazil on various aspects of spatial analysis and geo-statistical methods used to build local capacity to develop the groundwater resources of drought-prone northeast Brazil. Seminar on the use of a new groundwater management and data information system, which allow users to conveniently access data from tens of thousands of water wells throughout the country, and to analyze them on their desktop computers, were also conducted. Further to a decision by the Government of Brazil, the groundwater information and management system developed by ESS for north-eastern Brazil has been extended and adopted as the standard for the entire country. Implementation is now being carried out on a state-by-state basis by the Geological Survey of Brazil and the Brazil Water Commission.
• NRCan plays a key role in helping shape the contribution of the natural resources sectors and allied industries to the high quality of life of Canadians. The Department’s approach to innovation and partnerships has also helped elevate the role of Canadian natural resources companies abroad. Indeed, Canada is:
  • a leading exporters of mineral products (15.2% of our total domestic exports);
  • a leader in Geomatics, which ranks in the top three most important professional fields in the global market. Approximately 400 Canadian firms export products or services around the world;
  • the United States’ major trade partner for energy products (99% of our energy exports goes to the US, accounting for $84.8 billion);
  • the world’s largest forest-products exporter (15.9% in 2005);

More information on NRCan’s progress for Key Result #3 can be found in the tables below.