Global Affairs Canada’s 2020 to 2021 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
ISSN 2564-3894
This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) to make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole‑of‑government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.
The departmental information reported accounts for information previously prepared in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a FSDS that will make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, GAC has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
2. Sustainable development in GAC
Global Affairs Canada’s 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes the department’s actions in support of achieving the FSDS’s goals of greening government, effective action on climate change and clean growth. This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Previous years’ reports are posted on the Global Affairs Canada’s website.
3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal
The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2.
Greening Government
The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and green operations.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Despite initial aims to establish a baseline for 2005 for these indicators, it was found that data for that year was not available with sufficient granularity. The baseline established by GAC was for the year 2018; the baseline is 1 of the first in the federal government to include scopes 1, 2 and 3. The reduction in percentage will be measured in further inventories against the 2018 baseline. For this reason, percentages against 2005 were not obtained. | |||||
| Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral). | Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced. | Continue implementation of zero-emission shuttle service at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Headquarters (serving National Capital Region (NCR)). | Starting point: 0% in 2018 Performance indicator: Percentage of vehicles that are zero emission vehicles (ZEV). Target: 100% | 58% | Converting domestic shuttle fleets from traditional vehicles to ZEVs reduces GHG emissions. The action supports Sustainable development goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable cities and communities. |
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030. | Other |
| NCR:
Print-release baseline: NCR: 98% usage of Print-Release system (April 1 2020). 2021 target: 99%+ | 63% (2019 to 2020) Due to the pandemic, most employees were working remotely; consequently, results from 2020 to 2021 were not measured. 86% Due to the pandemic, most employees were working remotely and printing on local printers at home. We expect this result to return to normal with the return to the workplace. | The installation of on-site composting will enable a significant increase in waste diverted from landfills. On-site composting represents an opportunity to divert a significant amount of such waste in the short term in the NCR. On-site composting at 111 and 125 Sussex Drive would also enable waste diversion from neighbouring GAC facilities and other Government of Canada buildings. Surplus food donation programs will decrease the amount of waste produced, while also assisting local communities. Within the first 3 months of implementation, the Print-Release function has enabled the system and users to eliminate 10% to 15% of unwanted paper documents. The actions support SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. |
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030. | Other |
| Starting point: 2018 to 2019: 33% of plastic waste at NCR facilities was diverted. Target: 50% by 2022 | 13% (2019 to 2020) It should be noted that percentage change in diverted plastic can be somewhat misleading as an indicator. The total volume of plastics sent to landfills decreased by 27% between 2018 and 2020, indicating a significant reduction in overall plastic consumption and volume going to landfills. Although some delays have occurred due to COVID-19, programs are currently being implemented to further improve plastic diversion from landfills and, more importantly, to reduce consumption. | Reducing the amount of plastic consumed in GAC operations will reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills. The actions support SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. |
| Our administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030. | Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced. | Continue the acquisition of low-emission vehicles in the administrative fleet as part of the material management life cycle guidelines. | Start date: 2019 Performance indicator: percentage of hybrid or electric vehicles acquired. Target: 100% | Not applicable. Due to working remotely, the usage of vehicles dropped drastically and no new acquisitions were planned as wear and tear on vehicles was lower than anticipated. | Controlling the acquisition in the administrative fleet, we will ensure a complete sun-setting of gasoline engines, which will reduce GHG emissions. Unfortunately, the current market capacity for electric vehicles is low and the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) catalogue has a limited offering. When the market offers more capacity, we will transition from hybrid to electric vehicles. The actions support SDG 13: Climate action. |
| By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations. | Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned. | Train ECO-GAC employees to measure and analyze greenhouse gas emissions in operations. | Starting point: no training Indicator: percentage of ECO-GAC staff members who have had a minimum of 1 day of training. Target: 30% | 40% | GHG inventory training will allow employees to develop carbon footprint baselines for the department against which GHG reduction initiatives can be measured, as well as identify areas where GHG reduction projects may have the highest impact, thereby allowing GAC to better support the FSDS. The actions support SDG 13: Climate action. |
Actions supporting the: Greening Government. [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government but do not directly support a FSDS target] | Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions. | Implement a Departmental Digital Support Program. Ensure all devices meet ENERGY STAR® efficiency requirements and have energy-saving features enabled. | Target: Increase the current departmental ratio of 12 employees to 1 printing device from May 1 2012 to a ratio of 25 employees to 1 printing device by December 2021. Target: Reduce total pages printed per user each year in the NCR from 3,197 in fiscal year 2017 to 2018, to less than 2,000 per user per year by March 31, 2021. Target: 85% of employees (97% of employees in Canada and 75% of employees at missions abroad) have been converted to a single device worldwide, up from 53% of employees, by March 31, 2021. | 12 employees to 1 network printing device. 901 pages per user in fiscal year 2020 to 2021; as most of the workforce is working remotely, the numbers are low. Once the situation changes to a new normal, the numbers will reflect the situation more accurately. 85% | Reducing the ratio of printers to employees will continue to improve the sustainability of workplace operations by reducing energy usage and therefore environmental impact. Reducing the number of printers also reduces the amount of waste produced when printers reach their end of life. Most GAC employees are now working from a single device, which is contributing to the FSDS goal of greening government by reducing energy use and the environmental impact. All devices now also meet ENERGY STAR® efficiency requirements and have energy-saving features enabled. Having fewer devices also means having fewer devices to dispose of when they reach their end of life. The actions support SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. |
| Departments will adopt clean technology and undertake clean technology demonstration projects. | Implement clean technologies in facility operations, e.g. at the Lester B. Pearson building (headquarters). Specifics include:
| 2023 target: 20% reduction of GHG emissions from 2005 baseline (to be calculated upon the completion of the current GHG study, using the greening government reporting methodology as established by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat [TBS]). Water management: Baseline not yet established; consultations are to take place with PSPC in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 to establish a starting point. Indicator: percentage of decrease in water volume consumed compared to the baseline percentage. Target: 15% decrease in water consumption (when compared to the baseline) by 2022. Energy consumption: A baseline study will be conducted in fiscal year (2021) to determine the current GHG inventory. Indicator: percentage reduction in GHG emissions when compared to the 2005 baseline. 2023 target: 20% reduction of GHG emissions from the 2005 baseline (to be calculated upon the completion of current GHG study using greening government reporting methodology, as established by the TBS). Alternate working arrangements: The baseline is to be determined (TBD). Indicator: percentage of employees working from home. Target: TBD (re-evaluating based on the COVID-19 response strategy). | Not available.1 Not available.1 Not available.1 Not available. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 90% of employees have been working from home in the last 17 months. Metrics will be tracked in the coming year and compared to data obtained in 2018 and following that time. | These actions reduce the Government of Canada’s GHG emissions and directly support the FSDS’s Greening government goal by transitioning to low-carbon operations and clean growth. The actions support SDG 13: Climate action. | |
| Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees. | Train Global Affairs Canada procurement community in green procurement. Continue to promote the use of green products. | Baseline: TBD Indicator: percentage of employees in procurement who have taken green procurement training at the Canada School of Public Service. Target: 70% of identified employees by 2020. | 72% of employees in procurement have taken green procurement training, and there are plans in place to ensure that all employees receive the training in the next fiscal year. | The government will aid the transition to a net-zero-carbon-emissions circular economy through green procurement that includes life-cycle assessment principles, the adoption of clean technologies and green products and services. SDG 12, Responsible consumption and production, is related. | |
Effective Action on Climate Change
A low-carbon economy contributes to limiting global average temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius and supports efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels. | Take a leading role in international agreements and initiatives on climate change. | Work with Environment and Climate Change Canada to play a leadership role and provide policy and legal advice to support the negotiation and implementation of international environmental agreements and initiatives on climate change, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. | Starting point: not applicable. This is a qualitative performance measure and target. Indications will be collected annually. Performance indicator: the use of GAC advice (foreign policy, international law) for Canada's approach to international decisions related to climate change (such as for decisions by parties to international climate change treaties and other multilateral decisions and instruments dealing with climate change); the level of involvement in interdepartmental preparatory work for international meetings; instances where international law concerns are considered in the elaboration of Canadian views and positions; and participation on the Canadian delegation in international meetings. Target: advice from GAC is used appropriately. | Canadian negotiating positions on climate change were informed by strategic legal advice provided by GAC (in key treaties such as the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement; in other relevant bilateral and multilateral forums, such as the G7, G20, the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council; and in other negotiations that contributed to emissions reductions, such as those under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and nature-based solutions, such as those under the Convention on Biological Diversity). | FSDS: International agreements and initiatives on climate change increase the understanding of, and actions to, reduce GHG to support the FSDS target. Actions support SDG 13, Climate Action, through increasing awareness and actions, and provide Canada with partners to aid in the reduction of GHG. |
Actions supporting the Goal: Effective Action on Climate Change. [This section is for actions that support the Effective Action on Climate Change Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target.] | Take a leading role in international agreements and initiatives on climate change. | Deliver on Canada’s pledge to provide $2.65 billion in climate financing to support transition by developing countries to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies, in line with Canada’s feminist international policy priorities. | The number of agreements finalized with partners to deliver and implement $2.65 billion in climate financing by the end of fiscal year 2020 to 2021. Target: 100% by the end of fiscal year 2020 to 2021. | Canada fulfilled its climate finance commitment to provide $2.65 billion over five years to help developing countries transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. | FSDS: climate financing will directly support the reduction of GHG emissions internationally. Climate financing supports SDG 13, Climate Action, through international efforts to reduce GHG emissions and leads to effective action on climate change. |
Clean Growth
A growing clean technology industry in Canada contributes to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement our Mission Innovation pledge to double federal government investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration from 2015 levels of $387 million to $775 million by 2020. | Collaborate with international partners in the transition to clean energy, low-carbon future. | Advance an inclusive approach to trade, including integrating robust environmental provisions into trade agreements, and supporting clean technology exports. | Starting point: 93% in 2020 Performance indicator: Canada’s free trade agreements include provisions that promote the use of goods and services related to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon future; they contain substantive language on climate change and support Canada’s leadership role on chemicals management and air quality. Target: 100% by 2030 | 93% Canada has begun exploratory discussions with parties to an outstanding agreement (the Canada-European Free Trade Association) with a view to bring it in line with Canada’s most recent free trade agreement model, which includes a chapter on the environment. As negotiations have yet to begin and there is no agreement between the parties with regard to a chapter on the environment, we have not met the indicator, but we are on track to meet it by the achievement date. | The Mission innovation pledge promotes action towards SDG 9, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, through the promotion of clean energy research, development and demonstration. |
| Increase the value of Canada’s clean technology exports to $15.6 billion by 2025. | Invest in clean technologies. | Promote investment in Canadian clean technology companies through the work of the Clean Technology Joint Account Management (JAM) memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Export Development Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). | Starting point: 0 firms prior to January 2018. Facilitate the sharing of information and the streamlining financial solutions to support the growth of Canadian clean technology companies domestically and internationally. Performance indicator: the number of Canadian clean technology firms serviced under the JAM MOU pipeline. Target: increase in the number of Canadian firms benefiting from JAM support by 2025. | 57 JAM clients have received service from the TCS under the JAM MOU pipeline. | FSDS: the work of JAM partners will provide more synchronized and comprehensive financial support to clean technology companies from key government departments and agencies. The work of JAM partners will harmonize their financial services and solutions, identify gaps and flag high potential clients to TCS to receive enhanced targeted and focused export development support. This is expected to result in increased efficiency in supporting the promotion of Canada’s clean technology exports, thereby increasing their value. The actions support SDG 6, Clean water and sanitation; SDG 7, Affordable and clean energy; SDG 9, Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 11, Sustainable cities and communities. |
| Promote Canadian firms as world leaders in clean technologies. | Help Canadian clean technology firms become world leaders and capitalize on growing opportunities in the global market through Budget 2017’s $15M Clean Technology International Business Development Strategy for the TCS (2017 to 2021). | Clean technology Under the long-term (10-year) International Business Development (IBD) support sub-activity. Starting point: $3.14 billion in clean technology exports (2015). Performance indicators:
Target:
Climate finance Under the Climate Finance Business Development Team sub-activity of the TCS’s International Business Development Strategy for clean technology, seek an increase in the number of Canadian firms successfully competing for global climate finance business opportunities in developing country markets. Performance Indicators:
Targets: The number of Canadian firms using services offered by the TCS to compete for global climate finance business opportunities each year was 130 by fiscal year 2020 to 2021, whereas previously it was 0. The number of global climate finance business opportunities successfully accessed by Canadian firms each year was 10 by fiscal year 2020 to 2021, whereas previously it was 0. Note: data for reporting progress on the 2025 level is based on Statistics Canada’s SEGS, Clean Technology Satellite Account and Natural Resources Satellite Account; international ranking targets to become available once other countries statistically define and measure their clean technology industries. | $10.6 billion in 2019 (latest available data), up 26.2% from $8.4 billion in 2015 Note that the indicator has a 2030 target, therefore we only report on the progress made toward that target under the previous, now completed IBD strategy. The $3.14 billion data for 2015 came from the Survey of Environmental Goods and Services (SEGS), which reflects only partial exports from companies responding. We have since updated to the more fulsome Environmental and Clean Technology Satellite Account data used by the Government of Canada for reporting on exports. Not available: Statistics Canada is working with similar foreign national agencies to commonly define, measure and report on clean technology exports, allowing the Government of Canada and the TCS to determine Canada’s international ranking on clean technology export revenues. The target was set for 2030 to allow for such information to become available; however, until other countries define and measure their own clean technology sector exports, Statistics Canada will not be in a position to report on any rankings. Not available: Awaiting available date from Statistics Canada on the number of Canadian firms exporting clean technology solutions. The target was set for 2030 to allow for such information to become available. At present, Statistics Canada does not yet have a baseline for 2015, nor have they released any further data in subsequent years. The SEGS has also evolved during the past years; in latter years, more firms have been captured in the survey due to the lowering of the minimum revenue level threshold over time.
| FSDS: promoting clean technology firms will increase their value on the international market. Actions support SDG 6, Clean water and sanitation; SDG 7, Affordable and clean energy; SDG 9, Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 11, Sustainable cities and communities, through the increased adoption of clean technologies. | |
| Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to support the growth of clean technology in Canada. | Continue collaboration with federal government stakeholders and partners through the Trade Commissioner embedded in the Clean Growth Hub (CGH), a whole-of-government focal point for clean technology focused on supporting companies and projects, coordinating programs and tracking results. Since January 2018, the CGH advances the Clean Technology and Innovation pillar of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and, and is part of the GOC’s Innovation and Skills Plan. | Starting point: as the CGH was launched in 2018, there were 0 companies receiving TCS support through the CGH in 2017. Performance indicator: the number of companies receiving TCS support through the CGH since January 2018 (the launch of the CGH). Target: 55 CGH clients referred to the TCS for services and follow up each year. | 33 from September 2018 to March 2021; 69 in fiscal year 2019 to 2020; 39 in fiscal year 2020 to 2021. While only 39 more clients received TCS support through the CGH in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (short of the target) this is a result of reduced client service capacity in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, with the CGH trade commissioners having been away for 2.5 months and, later in the year, having spent many months working full-time on the renewal of the TCS’s International Business Development Strategy for clean technology (which ultimately resulted in ongoing funding and resources for the TCS). The number from fiscal year 2020 to 2021 also reflects the negative impact of COVID-19 on exporters due to international travel restrictions and disrupted supply chains. | FSDS: supporting the growth of clean technology in Canada should increase the value of clean technology internationally. The actions support SDG 9, Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 17, Partnerships for the goals, through the increased use of clean technology. |
4. Report on integrating sustainable development
Strategic environmental assessment practices
GAC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes the consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
GAC uses a form to help policy officers decide if a preliminary scan is needed, as well as if a full SEA is needed. The first section of the SEA form offers choices for exceptions to the application of the Cabinet directive for an initiative (for example, for an emergency situation or when an initiative has already been assessed). If an exception does not apply to the initiative, the officer must answer a series of questions in section 2 of the form to determine if important environmental impacts are expected and a full SEA is warranted. In the Trade Policy and Negotiations Branch at GAC, a comprehensive and detailed environmental assessment (EA) is always conducted for a trade agreement negotiation. This has been standard practice since 2001 and will continue to be as per the 2021 revised framework for the EA of trade negotiations.
One of the questions in the second part of the SEA form for evaluating the need to undertake a full SEA asks if the initiative will have impacts related to the goals of Canada’s FSDS. In the revised framework for the EA of trade negotiations, published in January 2021, there is a requirement to consider the FSDS goals and the SDGs in an EA analysis of the effects of, and opportunities presented by, a trade negotiation.
GAC has an environment integration process and an SEA process that serve to mainstream environmental issues in all development initiatives, including ones that focus on social and economic development issues. For all GAC initiatives, the Impact Assessment Act is applied, and the impacts of the environment on social and economic aspects are assessed. Environmental considerations are made during trade negotiations further to an EA in an effort to mainstream environmental provisions across a trade agreement, pending a willing trade partner. An enforceable chapter on the environment is regularly sought in trade negotiations.
GAC’s development initiatives are developed and managed using an extensive results-based management process. The department has adopted key performance indicators for development, which include 2 environment indicators. GAC applies the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assisstance Committee’s policy markers to its development initiatives, which permits an analysis of the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, desertification and general environmental issues into its programs.
GAC’s environment specialists deliver targeted environment training to GAC’s staff members on a regular basis.
Public statements on the results of GAC’s assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision-making.
Public statements are available here:
- Canada’s whole-of-government engagement in Sudan
- Canada’s approach to current and future nuclear cooperation agreements
- Canada’s ocean agenda and the framework for Canadian leadership on international oceans
- International dimension of the Arctic and northern policy framework
In fiscal year 2020 to 2021, 2 EAs from trade negotiations were published: the Final EA of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and the Initial EA of the Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement negotiations.
The NCR’s GHG inventory
GAC commissioned and received a GHG emissions inventory of the department’s domestic operations in the NCR in 2018, with a goal of establishing a GHG baseline against which future carbon-reduction initiatives would be measured.
The report, which complies with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 14064-1 requirements on GHGs, is 1 of the first among federal departments and agencies to include scope 3 sources of emissions (indirect emissions other than those produced by the institution’s energy consumption), thereby providing GAC’s domestic sustainability team, EcoGAC, with valuable and granular data.
The report indicated that GAC’s domestic operations in the NCR in 2018 resulted in 8,107 tonnes of CO2, more than 50% of which (4,189 tonnes of CO2) was attributed to the consumption of fossil fuels and the use of steam in buildings. The second-highest source of CO2 came from the transportation of employees to and from work (2,980 tonnes of CO2). Together, these sources represented 88% of total GHG emissions.
In 2021, the data garnered through this report will be entered into National Resources Canada’s RETScreen clean energy management software for analysis and low carbon planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. The results of this analysis will inform EcoGAC and the department’s approach to further reducing GAC’s carbon footprint.
Responsible business conduct
The TCS has continued to communicate the importance of responsible business conduct (RBC) for all Canadian companies active abroad by promoting the adoption of international standards on RBC, such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles. The TCS provided training on RBC to approximately 800 locally engaged and Canada-based employees in 22 sessions. This training has supported policy coherence and increased the capacity for trade commissioners to engage with businesses, local governments and stakeholders on issues related to RBC. The Responsible Business Fund, which allows trade commissioners to deliver RBC-related projects, funded 49 initiatives in 33 missions, although several activities were postponed due to constraints posed by the pandemic. As well, 41 services directly related to RBC inquiries from TCS clients were delivered by trade commissioners.
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