Sustainable Development Strategy 2020-2023 - Update: Global Affairs Canada
Note: Subsequent to the tabling in Parliament and online publication, Global Affairs Canada’s 2020-23 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy was updated during the course of the development of the 2022-23 Departmental Plan in February 2022. The edits include:
- Section 3. Commitments for Global Affairs Canada – Minor edits were made update text in the greening government section to add precision, the climate financing target was updated, and the clean technology targets were updated.
The original document was tabled in Parliament on October 7, 2020.
Executive Summary
Global Affairs Canada is strongly committed to advancing sustainable development at home and abroad. Working with a wide range of diverse partners, Global Affairs Canada is contributing to the elimination of poverty and inequality, and building a more peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and resilient world for everyone.
Global Affairs Canada continues to work to accelerate progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development through
- our Feminist International Assistance Policy
- our Feminist Foreign Policy
- Canada’s inclusive approach to trade
- the UN Decade of Action
The department has a 2030 Agenda Implementation Strategy, aimed at aligning efforts across its mandate in support of achieving the SDGs, anticipated to launch in fall 2020.
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. Global Affairs Canada supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
Through the DSDS, Global Affairs Canada contributes to the achievement of 3 goals of the 2019 to 22 FSDS:
- Greening government
- Effective action on climate change
- Clean growth
The department’s actions focus on international efforts and agreements related to climate change and international trade, and efforts to improve the sustainability of our domestic operations.
Specifically, the department contributes to the following FSDS targets:
- Reduce greenhouse gas 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)
- Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operation waste from landfills by 2030
- Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030
- Our administrative fleet will be compromised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030
- By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations
- By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels
- 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
- Increase the value of Canada’s clean technology exports to $15.6 billion by 2025
Section 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. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Global Affairs Canada supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
Section 2: Sustainable Development Vision and Context in Global Affairs Canada
In 2015, all 193 United Nations Member States, both developed and developing, adopted and committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an ambitious 15-year plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships, with the aim of eradicating poverty and leaving no one behind. It is centred on 17 interrelated and indivisible Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass 169 targets and balance the 3 pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
Canada is committed to taking a whole-of-government, whole-of society approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda at home and abroad. In addition to identifying federal government action in the FSDS, a National Strategy is being developed for the whole country that will create a shared vision and identify actions for Canada to accelerate SDG progress. Global Affairs Canada has developed its own 2030 Agenda Implementation Strategy aimed at aligning efforts across its mandate in support of this objective.
Global Affairs Canada recognizes the need to work with a broad range of partners to achieve the SDGs by 2030. This includes by engaging governments at all levels, Indigenous peoples, women, youth, civil society, multilateral and international organizations, philanthropic foundations, the private sector and other relevant actors, to find innovative and integrated solutions to create a more sustainable and resilient world. For example, the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) is a funding program that supports Canadian companies with their international innovation, research and development partnerships and projects in multiple priority sectors or areas, including sustainable development. Global Affairs Canada delivers CIIP in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) for Brazil, China, India and South Korea, and the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF) for Israel.
Global Affairs Canada is working to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs by integrating the goals across our strategic policies and action plans in support of the UN Decade of Action, which calls on all sectors of society to mobilize to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges and achieve the SDGs by 2030. This includes
- implementing our Feminist International Assistance Policy, which seeks to reach the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly through advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls
- advancing the Feminist Foreign Policy, which supports an enabling environment for sustainable development by strengthening the rules-based international order, upholding human rights, and advancing climate diplomacy
- promoting Canada’s inclusive approach to trade, which works to ensure that the benefits of trade and investment are more equitably shared, including with under-represented groups, such as women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Canada recognizes that advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is the most effective way to advance the SDGs and reduce poverty.
Global Affairs Canada is actively engaged in delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to make Canada a leader in combatting climate change and seeks opportunities to enhance environmental sustainability both at home and abroad. This includes active participation in coordinated efforts to support regions disproportionately affected by climate change. Through innovative policies, practices, partnerships, and programming, Global Affairs Canada is working at the forefront of global climate solutions.
FSDS goal: Greening government
Reinforcing the commitments made by federal, provincial and territorial governments through the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, Global Affairs Canada will continue to reduce the environmental impact of the Government of Canada’s operations abroad by implementing our Sustainable Development Strategic Framework for Missions Abroad. The department will continue to prioritize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, a cornerstone of the FSDS, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda, and will work to review and implement procurement practices to align with green objectives. Global Affairs Canada will continue to apply sustainable design standards to new construction and major renovation projects abroad by implementing green building certifications.
The department will also continue to implement various other initiatives in its missions abroad, such as
- renewable clean energy, energy-efficient LED lighting, and clean heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
- retrofits to reduce water consumption
- waste reduction and recycling programs
Through a pilot project, Canada’s permanent mission in Geneva is seeking to be certified as the first-zero carbon Canadian embassy. Lessons from this pilot will set the course for future zero-carbon Canadian embassies supporting the Government of Canada in achieving its bold vision for carbon neutrality of its assets. Furthermore, numerous sustainable buildings standards have already been met across the department’s international portfolio and will continue to be the model for how we operate on the international stage.
In addition to Global Affairs Canada’s work to reduce environmental impacts at headquarters and at missions abroad, the department continues to engage in sustainable procurement practices by ensuring that commodities
- are procured from environmentally sustainable manufacturers
- can be reused, repaired or recycled
- have reduced hazardous chemicals
- can be disposed of in a sustainable manner, contributing to SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
While some travel will always be required to fulfill Global Affairs Canada’s international mandate, the department actively promotes sustainable travel practices through information sessions and guidance to staff. The department promotes the use of alternate meeting solutions, such as video-conferencing and other collaboration tools, to reduce travel and increase agility. Staff can access video-conferencing at headquarters, regional offices and all missions abroad. At headquarters, a zero-emission shuttle service has been implemented, which allows staff to commute between its 3 main buildings in a more environmentally friendly manner. As of 2020, 6 of 8 vehicles in the fleet have been replaced by zero-emission vehicles.
In the fall of 2017, a department-wide “green team” –ECO-GAC– was created. ECO-GAC`s mandate is to continue to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into the department’s operations and buildings and to influence the habits of the department’s employees toward more sustainable practices in the workplace. ECO-GAC is dedicated to innovating across multiple areas of focus, including waste management, transportation, infrastructure, procurement and awareness-raising. ECO-GAC is part of the Employee Green Mobilization Network established by Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) that brings together all green teams from within the federal government.
FSDS goal: Effective action on climate change
Climate change remains a key area of focus for the department. Global Affairs Canada’s contributions to addressing climate change internationally will further support achieving Canada’s domestic FSDS goals and our United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commitments, as well as SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
In collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Global Affairs Canada actively engages in a leadership role in the negotiation and implementation of international environmental agreements and initiatives on climate change. This includes providing policy and legal advice for Canada’s participation at the UNFCCC, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and other bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements, which are mutually reinforcing with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Canada will continue to co-chair the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Since 2015, Global Affairs Canada has been instrumental in delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment of $2.65 billion over five years to help developing countries transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. Although the current funding is now mostly allocated, the government remains committed to continuing to finance climate action in developing countries, and to mobilizing private sector capital for global climate action.
The importance of climate change is reflected across the work of Global Affairs Canada. The Feminist International Assistance Policy includes an action area on achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls through progress in the area of the environment and climate action. Canada will continue to assess all of its development assistance programming for potential risks and opportunities with respect to environmental sustainability and to work with its partner countries to ensure that they have the capacity to do the same. Global Affairs Canada supports environmental protection and climate action through the negotiation and implementation of inclusive free trade agreements. Canada’s inclusive approach to trade includes conducting environmental assessments of trade negotiations and including obligations aimed at maintaining high levels of environmental protection and robust environmental governance.
FSDS goal: Clean growth
Global Affairs Canada seeks to promote Canada as a global innovator and leader for clean technologies, supporting SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all and SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Through the 2017-2021 International Business Development Strategy for Clean Technology, the department continues to aid Canadian firms in becoming world leaders in the export of clean and sustainable processes. Supporting Canadian companies to export their innovative clean technologies is crucial to a global transition to a clean, low-carbon economy. In addition to promoting exports, clean technology is one of 14 proactive sectors where Global Affairs Canada seeks to attract, expand and retain foreign direct investment to support sustainable economic growth.
Domestically, Global Affairs Canada has formed partnerships with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to conduct research and development projects with the goal of identifying innovative solutions to sustainable/clean operations. These activities are conducted as part of the Innovative Solutions Canada Program.
As a participant in the negotiations of the World Trade Organization’s Environmental Goods Agreement, the department is seeking to conclude an ambitious agreement that expands market access for Canada’s export of environmental goods and increases their availability for Canadians. This will contribute to efforts to address environmental challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions and air and water pollution. The department also promotes Canada’s clean technology sector through the implementation of its Real Property Sustainable Buildings Strategy.
Global Affairs Canada’s indirect support for other FSDS goals
In addition to achieving the 3 FSDS goals associated with action on greening government, action on climate change and clean growth, Global Affairs Canada also contributes indirectly to achieving 4 additional FSDS goals: Healthy coasts and oceans, Pristine lakes and rivers, Healthy wildlife populations, and Safe and healthy communities.
FSDS goal: Healthy coasts and oceans (SDG 14: Life below water)
Global Affairs Canada is working in close cooperation with other departments, such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to protect the marine environment and support the sustainable management of marine resources, close to home and around the world.
Global Affairs Canada
- leads the Canadian delegation in the multilateral negotiation process to develop a new United Nations agreement on biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, directly implementing an SDG 14: Life below water
- leads Canada’s representation at meetings of Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- supports related efforts at the regional and global levels to protect and manage fish stocks in a responsible manner
- leads Canada’s presence at the International Seabed Authority, which is responsible for managing the ocean seabed areas falling outside of national jurisdiction, which represent 50% of the earth’s area
FSDS goal: Pristine lakes and rivers (SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation)
Through many cooperation mechanisms between Canada and the United States, including through the work of the International Joint Commission created under the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, Global Affairs Canada leads the Canadian effort by ensuring the effective and responsible management of the many lakes, rivers and other bodies of water that cross our shared border.
FSDS Goal: Healthy wildlife populations (SDG 14: Life below water; SDG 15: Life on land)
Global Affairs Canada actively supports Canada’s contribution to global efforts aimed at protecting biodiversity and curbing illegal trade of endangered species, including through the work of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the work of various regional fisheries management organizations, and bilateral tools and mechanisms established with the United States.
FSDS Goal: Safe and healthy communities (SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities)
Global Affairs Canada is dedicated to ensuring Canadians and citizens everywhere are able to live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their overall health and well-being.
This includes efforts to
- reduce the deliberate use of, and/or accidents involving, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and materials and their effect on human health and the global environment through the Weapons Threat Reduction Program
- improve peace and security around the world through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program and Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program and the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
- restrict or control the use, circulation and disposal of chemical substances and waste through adherence to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Section 3: Commitments for Global Affairs Canada
Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations
Responsible Minister: All ministers
This goal captures commitments from the Greening Government Strategy, as well as reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement.
| Greening Government Communities FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce greenhouse gas 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) | Optimize fleet management including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced | Continue implementing zero-emission shuttle service at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) headquarters serving the National Capital Region (NCR) | Converting domestic shuttle fleets from traditional vehicles to zero-emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gases. Action supports SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities. | Starting point: 0% in 2018 Performance indicator: Percentage of vehicles that are zero emission vehicles (ZEV) Target:100% | Material management |
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030 | Other |
|
| NCR: Print release baseline: | Material management Information technology |
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030 | Other |
| Reducing the amount of plastic consumed in GAC operations will reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills. Actions support of SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. | Starting point: 2018/19: 33% of plastic waste was diverted at NCR facilities Target: 50% by 2022 | Material management |
| 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 ZEVFootnote 3 in the administrative fleet as part of the material management life cycle guidelines. | Controlling the acquisition in the administrative fleet, we will ensure a complete sunsetting of gasoline engines, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, the current market capacity for ZEVFootnote 4 is low and the Public Services and Procurement Canada catalogue has a limited offering. When the market will offer more capacity, we will transition from Gasoline vehicles to ZEVFootnote 5 to Electric vehicles. Actions support SDG 13: Climate action. | Start date: 2019 Performance indicator: % of ZEVFootnote 6 acquisition Target 100% | Acquisition management |
| 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 | Greenhouse gas inventory training will allow employees to develop carbon footprint baselines for the department against which greenhouse gas reduction initiatives can be measured, as well as identify areas where greenhouse gas reduction projects may have the highest impact thereby allowing GAC to better support the FSDS. Actions support SDG 13: Climate action. | Starting point: no training | Material management |
| Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal 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 | The Departmental Digital Support Program will encourage, support and streamline approaches to department business conducted on digital platforms. Increasing the use of digital platforms will reduce environmental impact by reducing paper use and the number of printers required. The Device Allocation Policy, which reduces the current GAC Footprint to a Single End User Device (implemented June 19, 2018), we ensure that all devices meet ENERGY STAR® efficiency requirements, and have energy saving features enabled. This will reduce energy use and therefore environmental impact. Actions support of SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. | Target: Increase the current departmental ratio of 12 employees to 1 printing device from May 1st 2012 to a ratio of 25 employees to 1 printing device by December 31st 2021 Target: Reduction of total pages printed per user each year in the NCR from 3197 in fiscal year 2017-18 to less than 2000 per user per year by March 31s 2021 Target: 85% of employees (97% of employees in Canada and 75% of employees at mission abroad) have been converted to a single device worldwide from 53% employees by March 31st 2021 | Information technology |
| Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target] | 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:
| These actions reduce the Government of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, directly supports the FSDS’s Greening government goal through transitioning to low-carbon operations and clean growth. Actions support SDG 13: Climate action. | 2023 Target: 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 baseline (to be calculated upon completion of current greenhouse gas study, using GG reporting methodology as established by TBS). Water management
Alternate working arrangement | Material management |
| Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target] | 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. | Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. These actions are in support of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. | Baseline TBD
| Acquisition management |
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
Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change; supported by a whole-of-government approach to implementation
| Effective Action on Climate Change FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | FSDS: International agreements and initiatives on climate change increase understanding and action to reduce greenhouse gases to support the FSDS target. SDG: These actions support SDG 13: Climate Action, through increasing awareness and action and provide Canada will partners to aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases. | Starting point: N/A. This is a qualitative performance measure and target. Indications will be collected annually. Performance indicator: Use of GAC advice (foreign policy, international law) for Canada's approach to international decisions related to climate change (e.g., for decisions by Parties to international climate change treaties, and other multilateral decisions and instruments dealing with climate change). 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: GAC advice is used appropriately. | International policy coordination Multilateral policy International law International Assistance Policy |
| 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 $5.3 billionFootnote 8 in climate financing to support transition by developing countries to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies, in line with Canada's feminist international assistance policy priorities. | FSDS: Climate financing will directly support reducing greenhouse gas emissions internationally. SDG: Climate financing supports SDG 13: Climate Action through international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leads to effective action on climate change. | Starting point (Baseline): 0 Target: $1.8B by 2022-2023 | International Assistance Policy |
Clean Growth: A growing clean technology industry in Canada contributes to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Responsible Minister: Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) and Minister of Natural Resources
| Clean Growth FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | FSDS: GAC’s work on partnerships with ISED will directly contribute to the investments in clean energy. SDG: The Mission Innovation pledge promotes action towards SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure through the promotion of research, development and demonstration of clean energy. | Starting point: 93% in 2020 Performance indicator: In negotiating Free Trade Agreements, Canada will pursue the inclusion of provisions that promote the use of goods and services related to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon future, contain robust provisions on climate change, and support Canada’s leadership role on chemicals management and air qualityFootnote 10. Target: 100% by 2030 | Trade policy, agreements, negotiations, and disputes |
| 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 between Export Development Canada, Business Development Bank of Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). | FSDS: The JAM partners work will provide a more synchronized and comprehensive financial support to clean technology companies from key government departments and agencies. JAM partners work to 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 the support of promoting Canada’s clean technology exports, increasing their value. SDG: 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. | Starting point: Facilitating information sharing and streamlining financial solutions to support growth of Canadian cleantech companies domestically and internationally. Performance indicator: # of Canadian cleantech firms serviced under the JAM MOU pipeline. Target: Increase in the number of Canadian firms benefiting from the JAM support. | International business development |
| 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). | FSDS: Promoting clean technology firms will increase their value on the international market. SDG: 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 increased adoption of clean technologies. | Performance Indicator: Number of climate-finance related outcalls by TCS to climate funds and investors per region (Asia, Africa, Americas and Europe)Footnote 11
Baseline: 85% | International business development | |
| 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. | FSDS: Supporting the growth of clean technology in Canada should increase its value internationally. SDG: Actions support SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure and SDG 17: Partnership for the goals through increased use of clean technology. | Starting point: The program started at 0 companies receiving TCS support via the CGH in 2017, since it was launched in 2018 Performance indicator: # of companies receiving TCS support via the CGH, since January 2018 (CGH launch). Target: Target of 55 Clean Growth Hub clients per year referred to the TCS for services/follow up. | International business development |
Section 4: Integrating sustainable development
A number of policies and practices that serve to integrate sustainable development considerations into Global Affairs Canada’s decision making.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) practices
Global Affairs Canada applies the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program proposals to every proposal submitted to Cabinet, central agencies and ministers. GAC’s Policy on Environment and Climate Action under the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) guides the mainstreaming of environment and climate change considerations in all sectors of its international assistance programming to ensure its environmental sustainability through an environmental integration process (EIP). This process ensures not only that international assistance efforts do not harm the environment, but also that environmental degradation does not erode development gains and that opportunities linked to environment, climate change and natural resource management are identified and seizedFootnote 6.
The department has put in place a 3-stage risk-based review process for proposals submitted to Cabinet or a central agency, i.e., screening, preliminary scan and detailed analysis. This includes consideration of the proposal’s potential contribution to the achievement of the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition to the application of the Cabinet Directive as described above, the department has developed a specialized SEA review process for trade negotiations. This contributes to more open decision-making within the federal government by engaging representatives from other levels of government, the public sector, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in this process. It also improves overall policy coherence at the national level by helping decision-makers understand the environmental implications of trade policy.
For more information about environmental assessments of trade negotiations, please see Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations.
Environmental effects statements
Public statements of the environmental effects determined from the detailed analysis of proposals that have been publically announced.
National Capital Region greenhouse gas inventory
In 2020 to 21, ECO-GAC will conduct a study to determine the current greenhouse gas inventory for Global Affairs Canada’s National Capital Region operations. Setting an accurate performance baseline will enable the measurement of future greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, which will allow results related to a variety of DSDS targets to be evaluated.
Internal carbon price
Global Affairs Canada is considering the use of a carbon price as a mechanism to reduce carbon use. A carbon price directly taxes carbon emissions, usually per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted from burning carbon-based fuels. This method has been deployed by various private sector organizations such as Microsoft, educational institutions such as Yale University and the government of British Columbia, as well as governments around the world.
The department is exploring the possibility of tailoring this carbon price to fit the specific needs of the dynamic and complex departmental operations, ensuring that the carbon price works effectively within each bureau and division within each branch. The main goal of this program is to launch a methodology to address personal employee behaviour and habits regarding carbon use. The goal of this program is to initiate real behaviour change. All funds collected from this carbon price will be put back into scaling up the program such that it can be integrated into other facets of Canadian federal government operations.
By implementing this carbon price program, Global Affairs Canada will provide incentives for its employees to change their behavior, which in turn will position Global Affairs Canada as a model for environmental sustainability and carbon reduction for other departments.
Responsible business conduct
Global Affairs Canada supports Canadian companies as they implement and strengthen responsible business practices by
- providing advice and guidance on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)
- working with host nations to strengthen the enabling environment for RBC
- promoting internationally recognized RBC standards such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- facilitating dialogue through 2 dispute resolution mechanisms, i.e. Canada’s National Contact Point (NCP) under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE)
Canada strongly encourages corporate accountability and expects good faith participation in facilitated dialogue with both the NCP and the CORE. The dispute mechanisms can recommend that the Government of Canada trade advocacy and economic support in foreign markets be denied or withdrawn should a company choose to not engage meaningfully with Canada’s dispute resolution mechanisms.
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