Introducing our strategy
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Introduction
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS, the draft strategy) is the first to be developed under a strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act). Taking a whole-of-government approach, it sets out Government of Canada sustainable development goals, targets, milestones and implementation strategies from an environmental perspective. Unless stated otherwise, information in the draft strategy is current as of February 1, 2022.
The draft 2022 to 2026 strategy supports Canada’s efforts to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With the 17 SDGs as its frame, the draft strategy shows what the Government of Canada will do over the next 4 years to support the environmental aspects of the SDGs.
Message from the Minister
I am pleased to share the draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for your input and ideas.
This draft strategy is important in many ways. It is the first to be developed under the strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act, which reflects a higher level of ambition, raises the bar for transparent and accountable sustainable development decision making, and has expanded the number of participating federal organizations from 28 to 99. It is also the first draft strategy to be produced since we announced our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030, and to halt and reverse nature loss in Canada by 2030.
The draft strategy brings together priorities and actions from across government to advance sustainable development in Canada. It outlines targets and measures to ensure the future we want for our children and our grandchildren, with a focus on the environmental aspects of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It shows how 99 organizations across the federal government will work together to promote a clean environment and tackle the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, all while growing our economy and making sure that no one is left behind. It also shows how the Government of Canada is leading by example by transitioning to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations by 2050.
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is informed by principles outlined in the strengthened Act. These principles shape the strategy and give it direction. They include recognizing that sustainable development is a concept that continuously evolves in response to new and emerging issues. The draft strategy also reflects the principle of intergenerational equity, or the ability of present generations to meet their needs without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. And it supports openness and transparency and a results and delivery approach. This means bringing federal environmental sustainability targets across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals together in one place, and requiring all of the strategy’s targets to be specific and measurable, with clearly identified indicators, time frames, and baselines for future reporting.
Now is a critical time. In the face of a global pandemic, unprecedented biodiversity loss, extreme climate events affecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and a worldwide shift to a clean economy, solving the interrelated environmental, social and economic challenges of sustainable development has never been more important. The Government of Canada’s commitment to achieving sustainable development is reflected in this draft strategy and in Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. By focusing on the environmental aspects of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, this draft strategy complements the actions of federal organizations to advance all 3 pillars of sustainable development in the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is part of an ongoing conversation, and your perspectives will help shape and improve our strategy. This is your chance to have your say and help inform the government’s approach to sustainable development, making it even bolder and more ambitious.
Much work to advance sustainable development is underway, but much will change as the government defines new directions. The draft strategy will be refined in the coming months to reflect the full range of the government’s sustainable development commitments, including those set out in ministerial mandate letters.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas over the next 4 months as we finalize the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and table it in Parliament. I also look forward to continuing the conversation in the coming years as we continue to take action for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Canada.
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Executive summary and target overview
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy: what’s new
- A strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act that promotes a broader view of sustainable development, supports a whole-of-government approach and introduces new requirements to ensure transparency and accountability
- A new frame for the draft strategy based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on the environmental aspects
- 99 federal organizations will play a role in achieving the draft strategy’s goals and targets
- All targets are specific and measurable, include a time frame, identify one or more ministers responsible for achieving them, and are consistent with the principles set out in the Act.
- “Where the Government of Canada is going” sections in each chapter show how new commitments and priorities will advance the environmental aspects of the SDGs
- Call-out boxes in each chapter highlight how environmental sustainability issues affect diverse communities in Canada, including Indigenous peoples
- Although a domestic strategy, each chapter makes links to corresponding environmental targets in the 2030 Agenda’s Global Indicator Framework
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS, the draft strategy) sets out the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets and outlines implementation strategies and short-term milestones for achieving them, from an environmental perspective. It provides a whole-of-government view, bringing programs, priorities and actions to advance sustainable development together in one place. This draft strategy is the first step in establishing the Government of Canada’s environmental sustainability plan for the next 4 years. New commitments that are currently being defined will be reflected in the final strategy following public consultation.
While this draft will become the fifth Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, it is the first to be developed under an amended Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act), improving accountability through time-bound targets and milestones as well as whole-of government participation across 99 federal organizations.
It is also the first draft strategy oriented toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, with a focus on their environmental aspects. The Government of Canada has committed to work with all partners to accelerate progress on the 17 SDGs in Canada and contribute to their achievement internationally.
Framing the draft strategy around the 17 SDGs supports a unified approach to sustainable development within the Government of Canada and shows how the strategy’s targets, milestones and actions contribute to advancing the SDGs. It also responds to past recommendations from parliamentarians, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and Canadians, and ensures that the draft strategy respects Canada’s domestic and international sustainable development obligations, as outlined in the Act.
The draft 2022 to 2026 strategy complements actions of federal organizations to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by committing to environmentally focused goals, targets, and milestones supported by indicators to measure their progress, and contributes to implementing Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. Each chapter is influenced by the Agenda 2030 Global Indicator Framework or the 2030 National Strategy’s Canadian Indicator Framework.
The draft strategy shows the complex interrelationships between the environment and economic and social dimensions of sustainable development, including issues such as poverty, education, and gender equality. It touches on themes that cut across the environmental aspects of social and economic SDGs, such as sustainable food production, enhancing food security in Indigenous and northern communities, promoting gender equality in the clean technology sector, and financing low-carbon, climate-resilient development in low and middle-income countries.
Public comments will help shape the final version of the strategy and ensure that its targets, milestones, and actions reflect the priorities of Canadians. Your comments will strengthen the strategy and help inform the Government of Canada’s sustainable development priorities.
We also invite you to show us what a sustainable Canada looks like by entering our photo contest. Winning submissions will be featured in the final 2022 to 2026 FSDS and the photographer(s) will be profiled in the strategy.
Comments on the draft strategy will be accepted until July 9, 2022. The final 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy will take into account these comments and reflect new and evolving Government of Canada priorities. We will also continue the conversation after the strategy is tabled in Parliament. Three years later, keep an eye out for a report on progress of the strategy’s goals, targets and milestones. You can also follow annually what actions federal organizations are taking to support the strategy’s goals and/or targets by looking at their departmental sustainable development strategies and reports that are tabled in Parliament.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy: Target overview
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) sets out 50 specific and measurable targets for the Government of Canada. These targets are aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from an environmental perspective.
Sustainable Development Goal |
Target theme |
FSDS target |
SDG 1: No poverty |
Emergency management and disaster risk reduction |
Awareness of disaster risks By March 2023, 55% of Canadians are aware of disaster risks facing their household (Minister of Public Safety; Minister of Emergency Preparedness) |
SDG 2: Zero hunger |
Sustainable food systems |
Sustainable aquaculture By 2026, maintain 90% compliance with Fisheries Act regulations related to aquaculture (Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard) |
SDG 2: Zero hunger |
Sustainable food systems |
Sustainable agriculture By 2030, support improvement in the environmental performance of the agriculture sector by achieving a score of 71 or higher for the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) |
SDG 3: Good health and well-being |
Air quality |
Air quality Increase the percentage of the population living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards from 60% in 2005 to 85% in 2030 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Health) |
SDG 3: Good health and well-being |
Sound management of chemicals and contaminated sites |
Chemicals Management Plan By 2024, 100% of the 4,363 existing chemicals that were prioritized under the Chemicals Management Plan have been addressed (Minister of the Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Health) |
SDG 3: Good health and well-being |
Sound management of chemicals and contaminated sites |
Contaminated sites By March 31, 2025, 60% of Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan eligible sites are closed or in long-term monitoring (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 4: Quality education |
Sustainable development information |
Climate information By 2026, increase the number of Canadians accessing climate information through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services from a baseline of 200,815 visits to the portals in 2021 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 4: Quality education |
Sustainable development information |
Environmental sustainability information By 2026, increase the annual number of Canadians accessing environmental sustainability information through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website, and through the Canadian Indicator Framework portal, to 260,000 visits from a baseline of 239,188 visits in 2020 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 4: Quality education |
Sustainable development research |
Average Relative Citation in natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences Increase Canada's ranking for Average Relative Citation in natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences to the top 10 of OECD countries by 2025 (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) |
SDG 4: Quality education |
Training and skills in sustainable development |
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates 175,000 students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate in Canada by December 2025 (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) |
SDG 5: Gender equality |
Women's participation in the environmental and clean technology sector |
Women in clean technology By 2026, increase the number of women employed in the clean technology sector from a baseline of 86,694 in 2019 (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
Clean and safe water |
Great Lakes Areas of Concern By 2026, complete all actions required to restore 6 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
Clean and safe water |
Great Lakes objectives By 2026, report on all 9 objectives to be achieved for the Great Lakes (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
Clean and safe water |
Restoration and Protection of lakes and rivers By 2027, action plans are in place to advance restoration and protection of major lakes and rivers in Canada (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
Clean and safe water |
Wastewater effluent quality on reserve By March 2030, 85% of wastewater systems on reserve achieve effluent quality standards (Minister of Indigenous Services) |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation |
Clean and safe water |
Wastewater effluent By December 2040, 100% of wastewater systems achieve effluent quality standards (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy |
Renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity |
Clean power generation By 2030, 90%, and in the long term 100% of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy |
Renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity |
Net-zero clean electricity grid Consult on the development of a Clean Electricity Standard to achieve a net-zero clean electricity grid by 2035 and achieve a 100% net-zero emitting electricity future (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy |
Energy efficiency |
Energy efficiency By 2030, 600 petajoules of total annual energy savings will be achieved as a result of adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards and practices from a baseline savings of 20.0 petajoules in 2017 to 2018 (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy |
Clean fuels |
Clean fuels By 2030, grow the production and use of clean fuels while continually reducing life-cycle carbon intensity over the long term (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth |
Green jobs |
Clean technology employment Achieve 8% growth in jobs in the clean tech products sector by March 31, 2024 (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) |
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth |
Green jobs |
Clean technology commercialization Between 2022 and 2026, 30% of all Sustainable Development Technology Canada's SD Tech Fund-supported technologies are commercialized annually (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure |
Green infrastructure and innovation |
Low-carbon recharging and refueling stations for transport corridors and metropolitan centres By March 31, 2024, 1,000 electric vehicle chargers, 22 natural gas stations, and 15 hydrogen stations along major highways, freight corridors and key metropolitan centres are completed (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure |
Green infrastructure and innovation |
Low-carbon recharging and refueling stations for local day-to-day use By March 31, 2026, 33,500 new electric vehicle chargers in public places, on-street, at apartment buildings, retail outlets and the workplace, as well as 10 new hydrogen stations are completed (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure |
Green infrastructure and innovation |
Investment in green infrastructure By fiscal year 2027 to 2028, the federal share of the value of green infrastructure projects approved under the Invest in Canada plan will reach $26.9 billion (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities) |
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities |
Taking action on inequality |
Drinking water reporting Between 2022 and 2026, continue to annually report to Canadians on access to clean drinking water in First Nations communities through Indigenous Services Canada's departmental website as data becomes available (Minister of Indigenous Services) |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities |
Public transit and active transportation |
Public transit and active transportation By 2030, 22% of commuters use public transit or active transportation (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities) |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities |
Green spaces, cultural and natural heritage |
National urban parks Establish a new National Urban Parks policy and designate national urban parks as part of a network, with a target of 15 new national urban parks by 2030 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities |
Green spaces, cultural and natural heritage |
Visits to Parks Canada heritage places By 2026, maintain or increase the number of Canadians that get out into nature, relative to the 2018 to 2019 baseline (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities |
Green spaces, cultural and natural heritage |
Visits to National Wildlife Areas By March 31, 2022, increase annual visitation to the 10 national wildlife areas that are part of the Connecting Canadians to Nature Initiative by 25%, from a baseline of 220,050 in 2015 when the program was launched (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
Waste management |
Waste reduction Reduce the amount of waste Canadians send to disposal from a baseline of 699 kilograms per person in 2014 to 490 kilograms per person by 2030 (a 30% reduction); and to 350 kilograms per person by 2040 (a 50% reduction) (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as federal lead in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) |
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
Waste management |
Plastic packaging Plastic packaging in Canada contains at least 50% recycled content by 2030, where feasible (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
Waste management |
Single-use plastic By 2032, reduce single-use plastics that are found in the environment, are not recycled, and have readily available alternatives (for example, check-out bags) entering the waste stream by 4% and entering the environment as pollution by 7% (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
Zero-emission vehicles |
Zero-emission vehicles (light-duty) 100% of new light-duty vehicle sales are required to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, with an interim sales target of at least 50% by 2030 (Minister of Transport; Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production |
Zero-emission vehicles |
Zero-emission vehicles (medium- and heavy-duty) 100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales are zero emission by 2040, where feasible (Minister of Transport; Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 13: Climate action |
Climate change mitigation and adaptation |
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 13: Climate action |
Climate change mitigation and adaptation |
Black carbon emissions Achieve a 25% reduction in national black carbon emissions by 2025, compared to 2013 levels (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 13: Climate action |
Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience |
Net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations by 2050 (President of the Treasury Board of Canada) |
SDG 14: Life below water |
Ocean protection and conservation |
Marine conservation Conserve 25% of marine and coastal areas by 2025, and 30% by 2030, from 13.8% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 (Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard) |
SDG 14: Life below water |
Ocean sustainability |
Sustainable fisheries By 2026, at least 55% of Canada's key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone (Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Conservation of land and fresh water |
Terrestrial ecosystem conservation Conserve 25% of Canada's land and inland waters by 2025, working toward 30% by 2030, from 12.5% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Conservation of land and fresh water |
National parks and national marine conservation areas By 2027, establish 10 new national parks and 10 new national marine conservation areas (NMCAs), working with Indigenous communities on co-management agreements for these national parks and NMCAs (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Conservation of land and fresh water |
Sustainable forests Between 2023 and 2026, maintain Canada's annual timber harvest at or below sustainable wood supply levels (Minister of Natural Resources) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Species protection and recovery |
Species at risk population trends By 2026, increase the percentage of species at risk listed under federal law that exhibit population trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans to 60%, from a baseline of 42% in 2019 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Species protection and recovery |
Status of wild species By 2026, maintain or improve the proportion of species that are ranked as secure that remain secure or apparently secure from a baseline of 80% in 2015 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Species protection and recovery |
Migratory birds By 2030, increase the percentage of migratory bird species whose population sizes fall within an acceptable range—neither too low nor too high—to 70% from a baseline of 57% in 2016 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 15: Life on land |
Species protection and recovery |
Participation of Indigenous peoples By 2030, Indigenous peoples participate in 90% of migratory bird monitoring and research projects (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions |
Effective institutions for promoting compliance with environmental laws and delivering high-quality impact assessments |
Environmental and wildlife enforcement By 2026, maintain the annual percentage of non-compliance with environmental and wildlife laws and regulations that are addressed by enforcement action at 70% (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions |
Effective institutions for promoting compliance with environmental laws and delivering high-quality impact assessments |
Environmental Damages Fund By March 31, 2026, restore and/or enhance a total of 5,000 hectares of natural environment through Environmental Damages Fund projects, from a baseline of 568 hectares in 2018 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals |
Environmental partnerships |
Climate finance Implement Canada's climate finance commitment of $5.3 billion over 5 years, with at least 40% of funding going toward climate adaptation and at least 20% to projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) |
Annexes
Annex 1: About the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS, the strategy) sets out our sustainable development priorities, establishes goals and targets, and identifies actions to achieve them. Actions to implement the strategy will support the environmental aspects of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Legislative basis
The Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act) establishes the requirement to table the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Its purpose is to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a strategy that will:
- make decision making related to sustainable development more transparent and subject to accountability to Parliament
- promote coordinated action across the Government of Canada to advance sustainable development
- respect Canada’s domestic and international obligations relating to sustainable development
The Act requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to table and report on a whole-of-government strategy at least once in each 3-year period. Recent amendments to the Act came into force on December 1, 2020.
History of the strategy
The 1987 Brundtland Report to the World Commission on Environment and Development introduced the concept of sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In response, in 1995 the Government of Canada introduced amendments to the Auditor General Act requiring federal departments and agencies to create their own individual sustainable development strategies. These amendments also established the office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (the Commissioner). The Commissioner later identified several weaknesses in this system, including the lack of a coherent, overarching federal strategy, stating it was like trying to put together a puzzle with no picture on the box.
In 2008, a more effective approach was enacted when the Act was passed and came into force. The Act provides the legal framework for the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. At that time, it also tasked 28 departments and agencies with preparing their own departmental sustainable development strategies (DSDSs) that comply with and contribute to the strategy. The 2008 Act also introduced a requirement to consult Canadians on each new Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Four federal sustainable development strategies were tabled under the 2008 Act (2010 to 2013, 2013 to 2016, 2016 to 2019 and 2019 to 2022).
In 2016, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development conducted a review of the Act and issued a report containing 13 recommendations. The committee’s recommendations identified issues concerning, among other things, the scope of the Act, the need for a whole-of-government approach, and a need for greater transparency and accountability in the development and implementation of sustainable development strategies.
The government responded to the committee’s recommendations with the 2017 Bill C-57, An Act to Amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act, which came into force on December 1, 2020. The amended Act provides greater flexibility in presenting the view of sustainable development to encompass environmental, economic, and social aspects. It also provides for a whole-of-government approach by increasing the number of federal organizations required to contribute to and report on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy from 28 to more than 95.
The amended Act also includes mechanisms to make sustainable development decision making more transparent and accountable, including a requirement that targets be measurable and include a time frame, and that departmental sustainable development strategies must be tabled in Parliament and referred to the Senate and House committees that deal with matters relating to sustainable development. The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is the first to be prepared under the amended Act.
Roles and responsibilities
Environment and Climate Change Canada has a key role in implementing the Act. It houses the Sustainable Development Office (SDO), which is responsible for coordinating the development of the strategy. The SDO is also responsible for developing and maintaining systems and procedures to monitor progress on implementation of the strategy, and for preparing Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress reports at least once every 3-year period.
Sustainable development cuts across many departmental and agency mandates. The Act reflects this, requiring federal organizations named in Schedule I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act (more than 95 in total) to prepare and report on sustainable development strategies that support the implementation of the goals of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. It also provides for including other federal organizations that wish to participate in the strategy, such as Crown corporations, through an Order in Council. Two such organizations, the National Capital Commission and The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc., are now included in the Act.
The role of departments and agencies also includes:
- working collaboratively with Environment and Climate Change Canada to develop the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and progress reports within every 3-year period
- integrating environmental and sustainable development considerations into policy, plan and program development through strategic environmental assessments
The role of public consultation
Public consultation is an important part of Federal Sustainable Development Strategy development under the Act. Each draft strategy must undergo a public consultation period of at least 120 days before it is finalized. As part of public consultation, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change provides the draft Federal Sustainable Development Strategy to:
- the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
- the Sustainable Development Advisory Council (a multi-stakeholder advisory body consisting of 13 members of the Canadian public that represent the views of different provinces and territories, 6 representatives of Indigenous peoples and 3 from each of the following: environmental non-governmental organizations, business organizations, and organizations representative of labour)
- the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament
- the public
Consultation results inform the final strategy and are summarized in a publicly-available report.
The structure of the strategy
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is organized around the UN 2030 Agenda 17 Sustainable Development Goals from an environmental perspective, acknowledging Canada’s unique responsibilities and circumstances.
One or more targets contribute to each goal. Under the Act, targets must:
- be specific and measurable
- include a time frame
- identify one or more responsible ministers
- be consistent with the Act’s principles
To the extent possible, targets should also:
- take a medium-term view (5 to 10 years)
- fall within federal jurisdiction
- align with federal priorities
- be supported by indicators that accurately represent the target and allow for comparison over time
- have a clear connection to a Sustainable Development Goal, as viewed through an environmental lens
Short-term milestones complement the strategy’s targets. They represent interim steps that will help ensure the Government of Canada stays on track to achieve its longer-term objectives. In general, short-term milestones should be achievable within one Federal Sustainable Development Strategy cycle. To the extent possible, milestones should:
- be specific and measurable
- include a timeframe
- take a short-term view (within one FSDS cycle)
- have a clear connection to one or more FSDS targets or to a Sustainable Development Goal
Implementation strategies set out what the Government of Canada will do to achieve its goals and targets. They describe the actions that federal organizations are committed to taking to make progress toward the strategy’s goals and targets. To the extent possible, implementation strategies should:
- be written in plain, high-level language
- be broad and inclusive to allow for linkages with specific departmental actions
- reflect actions the Government of Canada is taking or plans to take during the FSDS cycle
- have a clear connection to one or more FSDS targets or to a Sustainable Development Goal
Implementation strategies set out in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy are complemented by specific commitments in departmental sustainable development strategies. Departmental strategies, which must be tabled within one year of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy tabling date, will include actions and performance measures that contribute to the strategy’s implementation strategies.
While provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, businesses, the scientific community, non-governmental organizations and Canadian citizens contribute to achieving environmental outcomes and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, only federal actions are included in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.
Annex 2: Performance measurement
Performance measurement is an essential part of the Government of Canada’s sustainable development approach. The government tracks and reports on sustainable development actions and results through:
- triennial Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) progress reports
- annual reporting on departmental sustainable development strategies (DSDSs)
- the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI)
- annual updates to departmental web pages
Fsds progress reports
The Federal Sustainable Development Act requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to table a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress report at least once every 3-year period. These progress reports describe how the government is implementing the strategy and the progress made toward its goals and targets. In response to past recommendations from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, a simple dashboard rating system approach helps to ensure that Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress reports are clear and accessible by using a progress report card.
The Sustainable Development Office (SDO) uses the rating system to assess progress against each target by examining the most recent target-level indicator results achieved during the FSDS cycle to propose an assessment of “achieved”, “underway”, “attention required”, or “no new data available”. The federal organizations whose ministers are responsible for each target are responsible for determining a fair and balanced assessment in consultation with the SDO.
The progress report also describes progress against the strategy’s medium-term targets by using additional reporting on contextual indicators and short-term milestones. In some cases, the report notes where activity to date may constitute a newly-set baseline against which future progress will be measured. Progress reports are a snapshot in time that should be read in tandem with departmental reporting on departmental sustainable development strategies.
While Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress reports provide important information on environmental outcomes, it is important to note that responsibility for the environment and sustainable development is shared, and that the Government of Canada supports sustainable development within the constraints of federal jurisdiction and authorities. As a result, in some instances it can be difficult to directly link federal actions to specific outcomes.
Departmental sustainable development strategies
DSDSs provide detailed information on what individual departments and agencies are doing to help meet the aspirational goals and/or targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Within one year after the 2022 to 2026 strategy is tabled in Parliament, taking into account Canadians’ comments and ideas, participating federal organizations will develop DSDSs that support the implementation of the goals and/or targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.
DSDSs include:
- the department’s sustainable development vision
- specific departmental sustainability commitments and actions
- performance indicators that show how departments are meeting their commitments
- information on departmental decision making and sustainable development practices, including implementation of strategic environmental assessments
Federal organizations bound by the Act contribute differently to Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goals and/or targets depending on their mandate; however, all are responsible for contributing to the greening government content.
Indicators
A number of the indicators that will be used to measure and report on progress are drawn from the CESI program, which provides a wide range of indicators for public availability. The program selects indicators using the following criteria:
- policy relevance (represents the FSDS goals and targets)
- utility (meets the needs of decision makers and the public)
- soundness (provides consistent and solid methodology; comparable over time)
- data availability and integrity (uses existing high-quality data with adequate coverage)
The CESI program produces indicators with the support of programs within Environment and Climate Change Canada and other federal departments and agencies, including Health Canada, Statistics Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as provincial and territorial governments.
In addition to the indicators drawn from the CESI program, indicators are sourced from reporting structures used in the departmental planning and reporting cycle of contributing federal organizations, as well as from surveys conducted on a regular or semi-regular basis.
The following table lays out the performance measurement framework to be used for reporting and assessing progress on the targets of the strategy. It also details the contextual indicators which are used to provide more information in progress reporting about issues related to the goals and targets of the strategy. Indicators that can also be found in the Canadian Indicator Framework have been marked with: *.
SDG 1: No poverty
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By March 2023, 55% of Canadians are aware of disaster risks facing their household |
Percentage of Canadians who are aware of disaster risks facing their household |
Public Safety Canada |
Every 2 years |
Contextual |
Emergency geomatics services provided to Canadians |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
|
Proportion of investments in disaster mitigation by Infrastructure Canada that benefits/targets climate-vulnerable populations |
Infrastructure Canada |
To be determined |
||
Structural and natural assets |
Infrastructure Canada |
To be determined |
SDG 2: Zero hunger
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2026, maintain 90% compliance with Fisheries Act regulations related to aquaculture |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2030, support improvement in the environmental performance of the agriculture sector by achieving a score of 71 or higher for the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability |
Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability for water, soil, air and biodiversity * |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Every 5 years |
Contextual |
CESI |
Annual |
||
CESI |
Every 5 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 5 years |
SDG 3: Good health and well-being
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Increase the percentage of the population living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards from 60% in 2005 to 85% in 2030 |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2024, 100% of the 4,363 existing chemicals that were prioritized under the Chemicals Management Plan have been addressed |
Existing chemicals addressed under the Chemical Management Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By March 31, 2025, 60% of Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan eligible sites are closed or in long-term monitoring |
Number of Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan eligible sites that are closed or in long-term monitoring |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
Contextual |
CESI |
Annual |
||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
CESI |
Every 2 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 3 years |
|||
CESI |
Annual |
SDG 4: Quality education
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2026, increase the number of Canadians accessing climate information through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services from a baseline of 200,815 visits to the portals in 2021 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2026, increase the annual number of Canadians accessing environmental sustainability information through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website, and through the Canadian Indicator Framework portal, to 260,000 visits from a baseline of 239,188 visits in 2020 |
Number of Canadians accessing environmental sustainability information through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website and the Canadian Indicator Framework portal |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Statistics Canada |
Annual |
Target |
Increase Canada's ranking for Average Relative Citation in natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences to the top 10 of OECD countries by 2025 |
Canada's ranking for Average Relative Citation in natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
175,000 students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate in Canada by December 2025 |
Number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates in Canada |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Annual |
Contextual |
Funding invested in research related to the environment and sustainable development |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Canadian Institutes of Health Research Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |
Annual |
|
Ground-based infrastructure to receive earth observation data to monitor climate action |
Natural Resources Canada |
To be determined |
||
Number of international data partnerships and engagements that support decision making on sustainable development |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
SDG 5: Gender equality
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2026, increase the number of women employed in the clean technology sector from a baseline of 86,694 in 2019 |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Annual |
|
Contextual |
Statistics Canada |
Occasional |
||
Statistics Canada |
Occasional |
|||
Statistics Canada |
Every 5 years |
|||
Number of individuals with an enhanced awareness and/or knowledge and/or skills to promote women’s participation and leadership in public life |
Global Affairs Canada |
Annual |
||
Global Affairs Canada |
Annual |
|||
Percentage of bilateral international development assistance investments that either target or integrate gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls |
Global Affairs Canada |
Annual |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2026, complete all actions required to restore 6 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes |
Number of actions taken to restore 6 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By 2026, report on all 9 objectives to be achieved for the Great Lakes |
Reporting on 9 objectives to be achieved for the Great Lakes |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By 2027, action plans are in place to advance restoration and protection of major lakes and rivers in Canada |
Number of action plans to advance restoration and protection of major lakes and rivers |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By March 2030, 85% of wastewater systems on reserve achieve effluent quality standards |
Percentage of wastewater systems on reserve where effluent quality standards are achieved |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By December 2040, 100% of wastewater systems achieve effluent quality standards |
Percentage of wastewater systems where effluent quality standards are achieved |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Contextual |
CESI |
Every 2 years |
||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
Water quality in Canadian rivers * |
CESI |
Annual |
||
Water quantity in Canadian rivers |
CESI |
Every 2 years |
||
Sustainable water use indicator in development |
CESI |
To be determined |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2030, 90%, and in the long term 100% of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources |
Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas-emitting sources * |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
Target |
Consult on the development of a Clean Electricity Standard to achieve a net-zero clean electricity grid by 2035 and achieve a 100% net-zero emitting electricity future |
In development |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By 2030, 600 petajoules of total annual energy savings will be achieved as a result of adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards and practices from a baseline savings of 20.0 petajoules in 2017 to 2018 |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2030, grow the production and use of clean fuels while continually reducing life-cycle carbon intensity over the long-term |
The proportion of Canada’s energy demand met by clean fuels and the carbon intensity of those fuels. |
Natural Resources Canada |
To be determined |
Contextual |
Number of projects funded to support First Nation, Inuit and the Métis Nation’s capacity and readiness |
Indigenous Services Canada |
To be determined |
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Achieve 8% growth in jobs in the clean tech products sector by March 31, 2024 |
Jobs in the clean technology products sector * |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Annual |
Target |
Between 2022 and 2026, 30% of all Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s SD Tech Fund-supported technologies are commercialized annually |
Percentage of SD Tech Fund-supported technologies commercialized (revenue derived from project technology) |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Every 2 years |
Contextual |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
To be determined |
||
Environmental and clean technology sector GDP |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
To be determined |
||
Sustainable business practices |
Statistics Canada |
To be determined |
||
Value of investments leveraged in clean technologies |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Annual |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By March 31, 2024, 1,000 electric vehicle chargers, 22 natural gas stations, and 15 hydrogen stations along major highways, freight corridors and key metropolitan centres are completed |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
By March 31, 2026, 33,500 new electric vehicle chargers in public places, on-street, at apartment buildings, retail outlets, and the workplace, as well as 10 new hydrogen stations are completed |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
By fiscal year 2027 to 2028, the federal share of the value of green infrastructure projects approved under the Invest in Canada plan will reach $26.9 billion |
Value of green infrastructure projects approved under the Investing in Canada plan |
Infrastructure Canada |
Annual |
Contextual |
Greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of value-added from the production of infrastructure assets |
Infrastructure Canada |
Annual |
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Between 2022 and 2026, continue to report on an annual basis to Canadians on access to clean drinking water in First Nations communities through Indigenous Services Canada’s departmental website as data becomes available |
Reporting on access to clean drinking water in First Nations communities |
Indigenous Services Canada |
To be determined |
Contextual |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2030, 22% of commuters use public transit or active transportation |
Statistics Canada |
Every 5 years |
|
Target |
Establish a new National Urban Parks policy and designate national urban parks as part of a network, with a target of 15 new national urban parks by 2030 |
Designation of new national urban parks |
Parks Canada |
Annual |
Target |
By 2026, maintain or increase the number of Canadians that get out into nature, relative to the 2018 to 2019 baseline |
Parks Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
By March 31, 2022, increase annual visitation to the 10 national wildlife areas that are part of the Connecting Canadians to Nature Initiative by 25%, from a baseline of 220,050 in 2015 when the program was launched |
Number of visits to selected national wildlife areas |
Environment and Climate Change |
Annual |
Contextual |
Number of natural heritage places managed cooperatively with Indigenous peoples |
Parks Canada |
Annual |
|
Statistics Canada |
Occasional |
|||
Statistics Canada |
Every 2 years |
|||
Statistics Canada |
Every 2 years |
SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Reduce the amount of waste Canadians send to disposal from a baseline of 699 kilograms per person in 2014 to 490 kilograms per person by 2030 (a 30% reduction); and to 350 kilograms per person by 2040 (a 50% reduction) |
CESI |
Every 2 years |
|
Target |
Plastic packaging in Canada contains at least 50% recycled content by 2030, where feasible |
In development |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By 2032, reduce single-use plastics that are found in the environment, are not recycled, and have readily available alternatives (for example, checkout bags) entering the waste stream by 4% and entering the environment as pollution by 7% |
In development |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
100% of new light-duty vehicle sales are required to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, with an interim sales target of at least 50% by 2030 |
Proportion of new light-duty vehicle registrations that are zero-emission vehicles |
Transport Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales are zero emission by 2040, where feasible |
Proportion of new medium- and heavy- duty vehicle sales that are zero-emission |
Transport Canada |
To be determined |
Contextual |
Percentage of households who use their own bags or containers when grocery shopping |
Statistics Canada |
Every 2 years |
|
CESI |
Every 5 years |
|||
Statistics Canada |
Every 2 years |
SDG 13: Climate action
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Greenhouse gas emissions projections |
CESI |
Annual |
||
Target |
Achieve a 25% reduction in national black carbon emissions by 2025, compared to 2013 levels |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
|
Target |
The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations by 2050 |
Centre for Greening Government (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) |
Annual |
|
Centre for Greening Government (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) |
Annual |
|||
Contextual |
CESI |
Annual |
||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
Infrastructure Canada Statistics Canada |
Occasional |
|||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
CESI |
Every 2 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 2 years |
|||
Adaptation indicator in development |
Statistics Canada |
To be determined |
||
Extreme heat indicator in development |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
SDG 14: Life below water
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Conserve 25% of marine and coastal areas by 2025, and 30% by 2030, from 13.8% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2026, at least 55% of Canada’s key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone |
CESI |
Annual |
|
CESI |
Annual |
|||
Contextual |
Eelgrass in Canada |
CESI |
Every 3 years |
|
CESI |
Every 3 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 3 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 2 years |
SDG 15: Life on land
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Conserve 25% of Canada’s land and inland waters by 2025, working toward 30% by 2030, from 12.5% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
Establish 10 new national parks and 10 new national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) in the next 5 years, working with Indigenous communities on co-management agreements for these national parks and NMCAs |
Establishment of new national parks and national marine conservation areas |
Parks Canada |
Annual |
Target |
Between 2023 and 2026, maintain Canada’s annual timber harvest at or below sustainable wood supply levels |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2026, increase the percentage of species at risk listed under federal law that exhibit population trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans to 60%, from a baseline of 42% in 2019 |
CESI |
Annual |
|
Target |
By 2026, maintain or improve the proportion of species that are ranked as secure that remain secure or apparently secure from a baseline of 80% in 2015 |
CESI |
Every 5 years |
|
Target |
By 2030, increase the percentage of migratory bird species whose populations sizes fall within an acceptable range—neither too low nor too high—to 70% from a baseline of 57% in 2016 |
CESI |
Every 5 years |
|
Target |
By 2030, Indigenous peoples participate in 90% of migratory bird monitoring and research projects |
Participation of Indigenous peoples in migratory bird monitoring and research projects |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Contextual |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
||
CESI |
Every 3 years |
|||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
|||
CESI |
Annual |
|||
CESI |
Every 5 years |
|||
CESI |
Every 5 years |
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
By 2026, maintain the annual percentage of non-compliance with environmental and wildlife laws and regulations that are addressed by enforcement action at 70% |
Percentage of non-compliance with environmental and wildlife laws and regulations that are addressed by enforcement action |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
To be determined |
Target |
By March 31, 2026, restore and/or enhance a total of 5,000 hectares of natural environment through Environmental Damages Fund projects, from a baseline of 568 hectares in 2018 |
Area (in hectares) where natural environments are restored and/or enhanced |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
Contextual |
Percentage of Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development audits and evaluations reviewed by parliamentarians |
Office of the Auditor General of Canada |
To be determined |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
Indicator type |
Target |
Indicator |
Source |
Update cycle |
Target |
Implement Canada’s climate finance commitment of $5.3 billion over 5 years, with at least 40% of funding going toward climate adaptation and at least 20% to projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits |
Delivery of Canada’s climate finance commitment |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annual |
Contextual |
Amount of Canadian international assistance that addresses climate change |
Global Affairs Canada |
Annual |
|
Number of international engagements and commitments that advance Canada’s priorities on environment, climate change and clean technology |
Natural Resources Canada |
Annual |
Annex 3: Responsibilities of federal organizations
The draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy includes specific, measurable and time-bound targets linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Targets are supported by short-term milestones and implementation strategies. Actions within an implementation strategy may directly contribute to a target or contribute to the broader FSDS goal.
While the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy provides a framework for action across government, specific commitments will be included in departmental sustainable development strategies. Each federal organization included in the Schedule of the Federal Sustainable Development Act is required to prepare its own departmental sustainable development strategy, which must be tabled within one year of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy tabling date. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Sustainable Development Office provides guidance to support federal organizations in preparing these strategies.
SDG 1: No poverty
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Emergency management and disaster risk reduction |
||
Target |
By March 2023, 55% of Canadians are aware of disaster risks facing their household |
Minister of Public Safety Minister of Emergency Preparedness |
Action |
Conduct research and analysis on emergency preparedness |
Natural Resources Canada Public Safety Canada |
Action |
Enhance public awareness of preparedness for natural disasters |
Public Safety Canada |
Action |
Provide space-based data for emergency management |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support emergency preparedness in Indigenous communities |
Indigenous Services Canada |
Action |
Support transboundary climate risk management |
Canada Border Service Agency |
Action |
Work with partners on emergency management and disaster risk reduction |
Health Canada Indigenous Services Canada Infrastructure Canada Public Safety Canada |
Milestone |
Issue National Risk Profile reports |
Public Safety Canada |
SDG 2: Zero hunger
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Sustainable food systems |
||
Target |
By 2026, maintain 90% compliance with Fisheries Act regulations related to aquaculture |
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard |
Target |
By 2030, support improvement in the environmental performance of the agriculture sector by achieving a score of 71 or higher for the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability |
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food |
Action |
Enhance Indigenous and northern food security |
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada |
Action |
Ensure the resilience of Canada’s food system |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Canada Border Services Agency |
Action |
Support natural climate solutions in Canada |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Action |
Support sustainable agriculture |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Support sustainable aquaculture |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Milestone |
Develop a Canadian Agri-Environmental Strategy |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Milestone |
Improve the affordability of nutritious food |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada |
Milestone |
Increase support through the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund |
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency |
Milestone |
Promote and support Canadian Agricultural Partnership Policy Framework |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Milestone |
Reduce nitrous oxide emissions in the agriculture sector |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
Milestone |
Support Indigenous self-determination through food cultures and ways of living |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada |
SDG 3: Good health and well-being
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Air quality |
||
Target |
Increase the percentage of the population living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards from 60% in 2005 to 85% in 2030 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister of Health |
Action |
Develop, administer and enforce measures addressing air pollution |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Inform Canadians about air quality |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Action |
Research the impacts of air pollution |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada National Research Council Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to address air quality |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Milestone |
Maintain reduced air pollutant emission levels |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Strengthen Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Sound management of chemicals and contaminated sites |
||
Target |
By 2024, 100% of the 4,363 existing chemicals that were prioritized under the Chemicals Management Plan have been addressed |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister of Health |
Target |
By March 31, 2025, 60% of Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan eligible sites are closed or in long-term monitoring |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Address contaminated sites |
Canada Border Services Agency Correctional Service Canada Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Health Canada Indigenous Services Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. National Capital Commission National Defence National Research Council Canada Parks Canada Public Service and Procurement Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Assess and manage risks from chemicals |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Action |
Continue review of pesticides |
Health Canada |
Action |
Inform and increase understanding of harmful substances |
Canada Border Services Agency Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to reduce the risks of harmful substances |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Milestone |
Implement the Chemicals Management Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada |
Milestone |
Implement the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan phase IV |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Reduce environmental liability |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
SDG 4: Quality education
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Sustainable development information |
||
Target |
By 2026, increase the number of Canadians accessing climate information through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services from a baseline of 200,815 visits to the portals in 2021 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2026, increase the number of Canadians accessing environmental sustainability information through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators website, and through the Canadian Indicator Framework portal, to 260,000 visits from a baseline of 239,188 visits in 2020 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Promote environmental knowledge and data sharing |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Provide information to help consumers make more sustainable choices |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Provide science and knowledge to inform ambitious climate action |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Statistics Canada |
Milestone |
Implement an environmental marketing campaign |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Roll out the Science Literacy Promotion Initiative |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Sustainable development research |
||
Target |
Increase Canada's ranking for Average Relative Citation in natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences to the top 10 of OECD countries by 2025 |
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
Action |
Promote better environmental decision making |
Statistics Canada |
Action |
Work with partners on sustainable development research initiatives |
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |
Milestone |
Establish the national freshwater data strategy |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Establish the national freshwater science agenda |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Training and skills in sustainable development |
||
Target |
175,000 students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate in Canada by December 2025 |
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
Action |
Increase the number of young Canadians pursuing skills training or careers in environmental sectors |
Employment and Social Development Canada |
Action |
Support youth skill development in environmental sectors |
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Employment and Social Development Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |
SDG 5: Gender equality
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Women’s participation in the environmental and clean technology sector |
||
Target |
By 2026, increase the number of women employed in the clean technology sector from a baseline of 86,694 in 2019 |
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
Action |
Disaggregate data |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Statistics Canada |
Action |
Invest in women |
Indigenous Services Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Action |
Support skills and training |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Global Affairs Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Support GBA Plus across the Government of Canada |
Indigenous Services Canada |
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Clean and safe water |
||
Target |
By 2026, complete all actions required to restore 6 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2026, report on all 9 objectives to be achieved for the Great Lakes |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2027, action plans are in place to advance restoration and protection of major lakes and rivers in Canada |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By March 2030, 85% of wastewater systems on reserve achieve effluent quality standards |
Minister of Indigenous Services |
Target |
By December 2040, 100% of wastewater systems achieve effluent quality standards |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Develop knowledge of water-related sustainability in Canada |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Develop knowledge to better understand the St. Lawrence River ecosystem |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Implement the Wastewater S ystem s Effluent Regulations |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Indigenous Services Canada |
Action |
Implement water quality and ecosystem partnerships programs |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with partners on drinking water quality |
Health Canada |
Milestone |
Create a new Canada Water Agency |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada (lead) Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Complete approved water and wastewater projects |
Infrastructure Canada |
Milestone |
Renew the Freshwater Action Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Reduce risk to public water systems and public wastewater systems on reserve |
Indigenous Services Canada |
Milestone |
Publish the State of the St. Lawrence River report |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Publish the Great Lakes Progress Report of the Parties |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Publish the State of the Great Lakes report |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity |
||
Target |
By 2030, 90%, and in the long term 100% of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Target |
Consult on the development of a Clean Electricity Standard to achieve a net-zero clean electricity grid by 2035 and achieve a 100% net-zero emitting electricity future |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Implement and enforce regulations and legislation |
Canada Energy Regulator |
Action |
Invest in research, development, and demonstration of clean energy technologies |
National Research Council Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Play a leading role to promote clean and renewable energy |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support renewable energy deployment |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Indigenous Services Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support voluntary action to adopt clean energy technologies |
Department of Finance Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with partners on clean and renewable energy |
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Canada Energy Regulator Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Indigenous Services Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Develop regulations on offshore renewable energy |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Demonstrate and deploy the next generation of smart grids |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Install renewable energy in Indigenous and northern communities |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Provide access to efficient sources of electricity |
Infrastructure Canada |
Milestone |
Support smart renewables |
Natural Resources Canada |
Energy efficiency |
||
Target |
By 2030, 600 petajoules of total annual energy savings will be achieved as a result of adoption of energy efficiency codes, standards and practices from a baseline savings of 20.0 petajoules in 2017 to 2018 |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Action |
Develop and implement energy efficiency codes and regulations |
National Research Council Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Invest in research, development, and demonstration of energy efficiency technologies |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support deployment of energy efficiency technologies and practices |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support voluntary action |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with domestic and international partners on energy efficiency |
Canada Energy Regulator Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Demonstrate energy-efficient and net-zero energy building technologies |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Promote ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Publish energy efficiency regulations |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Support greener homes |
Natural Resources Canada |
Clean fuels |
||
Target |
By 2030, grow the production and use of clean fuels while continually reducing life-cycle carbon intensity over the long-term |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Action |
Apply clean fuel regulations |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Deliver the Clean Fuels Fund |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Develop and update codes and standards |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada Canada Energy Regulator |
Action |
Invest in research, development, and demonstration of clean fuels |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with stakeholders to advance the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Develop clean fuel production facilities |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Develop codes, standards and regulations |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Support biomass supply chains |
Natural Resources Canada |
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Green jobs |
||
Target |
Achieve 8% growth in jobs in the clean tech products sector by March 31, 2024 |
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
Target |
Between 2022 and 2026, 30% of all Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s SD Tech Fund-supported technologies are commercialized annually |
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
Action |
Develop our knowledge of clean technologies |
Employment and Social Development Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Support workers, businesses, and communities |
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Economic Development Agency of Canada for Québec Regions Environment and Climate Change Canada Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario Fisheries and Oceans Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Parks Canada Pacific Economic Development Canada Prairies Economic Development Canada |
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Green infrastructure and innovation |
||
Target |
By March 31, 2024, 1,000 electric vehicle chargers, 22 natural gas stations, and 15 hydrogen stations along major highways, freight corridors and key metropolitan centres are completed |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Target |
By March 31, 2026, 33,500 new electric vehicle chargers in public places, on-street, at apartment buildings, retail outlets, and the workplace, as well as 10 new hydrogen stations are completed |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Target |
By fiscal year 2027 to 2028, the federal share of the value of green infrastructure projects approved under the Invest in Canada plan will reach $26.9 billion |
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities |
Action |
Attract and scale-up sustainable finance in Canada |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Department of Finance Canada |
Action |
Develop and implement climate-resilient codes and standards |
Infrastructure Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada National Research Council Standards Council of Canada |
Action |
Invest in deployment and adoption of clean technologies |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Natural Resources Canada National Research Council of Canada |
Action |
Invest in green infrastructure |
Infrastructure Canada |
Action |
Invest in research, development and demonstration of clean technologies |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Deliver standardization strategies |
Standards Council of Canada |
Milestone |
Demonstrate electric and hydrogen vehicle infrastructure |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Enable new and revised codes, standards and guidelines and decision support tools for climate-resilient infrastructure |
National Research Council |
Milestone |
Growing business investment in research and development |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Milestone |
Publish a Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Strategy |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Publish national model codes |
National Research Council |
Milestone |
Support research, development and demonstration of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies |
Natural Resources Canada |
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Taking action on inequality |
||
Target |
Between 2022 and 2026, continue to report on an annual basis to Canadians on access to clean drinking water in First Nations communities through Indigenous Services Canada’s departmental website as data becomes available |
Minister of Indigenous Services |
Action |
Take action towards eliminating remaining long-term drinking water advisories on reserve |
Indigenous Services Canada |
Action |
Collaborate and engage with Indigenous peoples |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Implement the Disaggregated Data Action Plan to fill data and knowledge gaps on inequalities |
Statistics Canada |
Action |
Return fuel charge proceeds equitably through Climate Action Incentive payments and other supports |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Department of Finance Canada |
Action |
Support entrepreneurship for Black and Indigenous communities |
Indigenous Services Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
Action |
Support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Champion the role of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic Council |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada |
Milestone |
Collaborate with Indigenous peoples in fisheries management |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Milestone |
Increase participation of Indigenous communities, organizations or governments in Canada’s data governance and knowledge economy |
Natural Resources Canada |
Milestone |
Publish the National Pollutant Release Inventory Indigenous Series |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Public transit and active transportation |
||
Target |
By 2030, 22% of commuters use public transit or active transportation |
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities |
Action |
Invest in public transit and active transportation |
Infrastructure Canada The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. |
Milestone |
Support the purchase of zero-emission buses |
Infrastructure Canada |
G reen spaces, cultural and natural heritage |
||
Target |
Establish a new National Urban Parks policy and designate national urban parks as part of a network, with a target of 15 new national urban parks by 2030 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2026, maintain or increase the number of Canadians that get out into nature, relative to the 2018 to 2019 baseline |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By March 31, 2022, increase annual visitation to the 10 national wildlife areas that are part of the Connecting Canadians to Nature Initiative by 25%, from a baseline of 220,050 in 2015 when the program was launched |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Enhance visitor experience in parks and historic places |
Parks Canada |
Action |
Promote access to green space, cultural and natural heritage |
The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. Parks Canada National Battlefields Commission National Capital Commission |
Action |
Promote public engagement in green spaces, parks and historic places |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Parks Canada National Capital Commission |
Action |
Work with partners on conservation activities |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Maintain access to Battlefields Park |
National Battlefields Commission |
SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Waste management |
||
Target |
Reduce the amount of waste Canadians send to disposal from a baseline of 699 kilograms per person in 2014 to 490 kilograms per person by 2030 (a 30% reduction); and to 350 kilograms per person by 2040 (a 50% reduction) |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change (as federal lead in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) |
Target |
Plastic packaging in Canada contains at least 50% recycled content by 2030, where feasible |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2032, reduce single-use plastics that are found in the environment, are not recycled, and have readily available alternatives (for example, checkout bags) entering the waste stream by 4% and entering the environment as pollution by 7% |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Advance circular economy in Canada |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Deliver efficient food systems |
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Research innovative solutions for plastics |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Transport Canada |
Milestone |
Monitor Canada’s ocean disposal sites |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Measure food loss and waste |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Use of mining waste to produce critical minerals |
Natural Resources Canada |
Zero-emission vehicles |
||
Target |
100% of new light-duty vehicle sales are required to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, with an interim sales target of at least 50% by 2030 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister of Transport |
Target |
100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales are zero emission by 2040, where feasible |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister of Transport |
Action |
Develop regulations that support zero-emission vehicle sales |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Make zero-emission vehicles more affordable and improve supply |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Work with partners in the transportation sector |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Natural Resources Canada Transport Canada |
Milestone |
Develop a strategy to decarbonize on-road freight |
Transport Canada |
SDG 13: Climate action
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Climate change adaptation and mitigation |
||
Target |
Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change - Supported by whole-of-government implementation |
Target |
Achieve a 25% reduction in national black carbon emissions by 2025, compared to 2013 levels |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Implement the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Implement Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Support natural climate solutions in Canada as part of the Strengthened Climate Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Continue to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change |
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Supported by whole-of-government implementation |
Action |
Continue to implement the Strengthened Climate Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Supported by whole-of-government implementation |
Action |
Adopt an integrated climate lens for all federal decision making |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Establish a 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Ensure a strengthened price on carbon pollution is in place in Canada |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Implement evidence-based measures to protect health from extreme heat in health regions |
Health Canada |
Milestone |
Release a national adaptation strategy for Canada |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience |
||
Target |
The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations by 2050 |
All ministers |
Action |
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
All federal organizations |
Action |
Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits |
All federal organizations owning real property |
Action |
Assess and reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations |
All federal organizations owning real property |
Action |
Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings |
All federal organizations owning real property |
Action |
Purchase low-carbon intensity fuels for air and marine fleets |
All federal organizations with significant air and marine fleets, specifically: National Defence Royal Canadian Mounted Police Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Canadian Coast Guard) Transport Canada |
Action |
Purchase zero emission vehicles |
All federal organizations |
Action |
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
All federal organizations |
Milestone |
Achieve total clean electricity use in federal real property |
All federal organizations owning real property, and internationally where locally feasible |
Milestone |
Develop national safety and security operational fleet decarbonization plans |
National Defence Royal Canadian Mounted Police Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Canadian Coast Guard) |
Milestone |
Develop a zero-carbon, climate-resilient office leasing federal portfolio |
Public Service and Procurement Canada |
Milestone |
Identify and incorporate awareness of climate-change-related risks into federal planning |
All federal organizations |
Milestone |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in federal real property and conventional fleet |
All federal organizations owning real property and conventional fleets over 50 vehicles |
Milestone |
Transform the federal light-duty fleet |
All federal organizations owning conventional fleets |
SDG 14: Life below water
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Ocean protection and conservation |
||
Target |
Conserve 25% of marine and coastal areas by 2025, and 30% by 2030, from 13.8% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 |
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard |
Action |
Build knowledge of coastal and marine ecosystems and marine protected areas |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada National Research Council Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Implement new protection standards in marine protected areas |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Protect and manage marine and coastal areas |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Reduce marine litter and support the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste |
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Action |
Use legislation and regulations to protect coasts and oceans |
Canada Border Services Agency Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada Transport Canada |
Milestone |
Further develop Canada’s Ghost Gear Program |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Milestone |
Patrol for marine spills |
Transport Canada |
Ocean sustainability |
||
Target |
By 2026, at least 55% of Canada’s key fish stocks are in the Cautious and Healthy zone |
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard |
Action |
Build knowledge to support sustainable fisheries |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Action |
Implement policies for sustainable fisheries |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Action |
Support the recovery and protection of Canada’s endangered whales |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Transport Canada |
Milestone |
Regulating fish stocks provisions |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Milestone |
Implement the Sustainable Fisheries Framework |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
SDG 15: Life on land
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Conservation of land and fresh water |
||
Target |
Conserve 25% of Canada’s land and inland waters by 2025, working toward 30% by 2030, from 12.5% recognized as conserved as of the end of 2020 in support of the commitment to work to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, and achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
Establish 10 new national parks and 10 new national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) in the next 5 years, working with Indigenous communities on co-management agreements for these national parks and NMCAs |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
Between 2023 and 2026, maintain Canada’s annual timber harvest at or below sustainable wood supply levels |
Minister of Natural Resources |
Action |
Better understand lands and forests |
Environment and Climate Change Canada The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Conserve natural spaces |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Promote participation in Canada’s forest sector and support the transition to a sustainable economy |
Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with domestic and international partners |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Work with Indigenous peoples |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Designate ecological corridors |
Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Establish new protected areas |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Finalize Nature Agreements |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Make progress on Canada’s commitment to area-based conservation |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Species protection and recovery |
||
Target |
By 2026, increase the percentage of species at risk listed under federal law that exhibit population trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans to 60%, from a baseline of 42% in 2019 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard |
Target |
By 2026, maintain or improve the proportion of species that are ranked as secure remain secure or apparently secure from a baseline of 80% in 2015 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2030, increase the percentage of migratory bird species whose populations sizes fall within an acceptable range—neither too low nor too high— to 70% from a baseline of 57% in 2016 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By 2030, Indigenous peoples participate in 90% of migratory bird monitoring and research projects |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Deliver enhanced conservation action |
Environment and Climate Change Canada The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. Parks Canada |
Action |
Develop a pan-Canadian approach to wildlife health with partners |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Enhance foundational knowledge of species, habitats and ecosystems with partners |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Parks Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Establish a principle of no net loss of biodiversity |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Implement, innovate and modernize the regulatory and policy framework and tools to protect species at risk, other fish and fish habitat and migratory birds |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Action |
Implement the aquatic and terrestrial pan-Canadian approaches to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada with partners |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Prevent, detect, and respond to, control and manage invasive alien species |
Canada Border Services Agency Canadian Food Inspection Agency Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada Parks Canada |
Action |
Uphold international commitments related to wildlife |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to implement and modernize technology for monitoring international wildlife trade to better detect invasive alien species, vectors of diseases and endangered species at Canada’s international borders |
Canada Border Services Agency Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Collaborating on protection and recovery actions for terrestrial species at risk |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Develop and implement a no net loss policy framework |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Develop conservation action plans |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Enhancing protection and recovery actions for aquatic species at risk |
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Parks Canada |
Milestone |
Increase the proportion of listed bird species |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Milestone |
Monitor invasive alien species |
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
Milestone |
Partnering with provinces and territories |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
Effective institutions for promoting compliance with environmental laws and delivering high-quality impact assessments |
||
Target |
By 2026, maintain the annual percentage of non-compliance with environmental and wildlife laws and regulations that are addressed by enforcement action at 70% |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Target |
By March 31, 2026, restore and/or enhance a total of 5,000 hectares of natural environment through Environmental Damages Fund projects, from a baseline of 568 hectares in 2018 |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Strengthen monitoring and enforcement through innovation |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Implement monitoring, inspection and enforcement activities |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Transport Canada |
Action |
Use a risk-based approach to enforcement |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Action |
Foster research to support the implementation of the Impact Assessment Act |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada |
Action |
Meaningfully consult and accommodate Indigenous peoples and consider Indigenous Knowledge in impact assessment processes |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada |
Action |
Provide the public and Indigenous peoples with a voice in impact assessment processes |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. |
Action |
Support fair and predictable impact assessments |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Health Canada |
Milestone |
Minimize the adverse effects of projects through impact assessments |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada |
Milestone |
Promote evidence-based decision making that considers public and Indigenous community input, including Indigenous Knowledge |
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
FSDS component |
Title |
Responsible organization(s) |
E nviro nmental partnerships |
||
Target |
Implement Canada’s climate finance commitment of $5.3 billion over 5 years, with at least 40% of funding going toward climate adaptation and at least 20% to projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits |
Minister of Environment and Climate Change |
Action |
Increase support to and help build capacity in developing countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Global Affairs Canada |
Action |
Promote environmental protection in trade agreements and other engagement mechanisms |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Global Affairs Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to monitor and protect our ecosystems from space |
Canadian Space Agency Environment and Climate Change Canada Natural Resources Canada |
Action |
Work with partners to support a clean energy transition |
Environment and Climate Change Canada Global Affairs Canada |
Milestone |
Engage with priority countries and regions |
Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Annex 4: Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are by design integrated and indivisible and balance the 3 dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Building integrated strategies and policies that create connections between the different goals helps to ensure the economy can grow, society can develop, and the environment can be protected all at the same time.
The SDGs are mutually reinforcing. For example, dealing with the threat of climate change impacts how fragile natural resources are managed and used, and achieving food security and improved health outcomes can help to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and eliminate barriers to economic growth and social development.
Every goal in the draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy supports progress on multiple SDGs and helps to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
FSDS Chapters |
Other supported SDGs |
Chapter 1: Support Canadians’ preparedness for natural disasters and emergencies |
SDG 3 |
SDG 6 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
Chapter 2: Ensure Canadians can access safe and healthy food |
SDG 1 |
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 6 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 3: Protect Canadians from air pollution and harmful substances |
SDG 6 |
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 4: Publicize research, knowledge and data for sustainable development |
SDG 1 |
SDG 5 |
|
SDG 8 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
Chapter 5: Support Canadian women’s participation in the environmental and clean technology sector |
All other SDGs |
Chapter 6: Ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians |
SDG 2 |
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
SDG 17 |
|
Chapter 7: Help Canadians have access to clean energy |
SDG 9 |
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
Chapter 8: Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada |
SDG 5 |
SDG 7 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 17 |
|
Chapter 9: Foster innovation and support green infrastructure in Canada |
SDG 1 |
SDG 7 |
|
SDG 8 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action to reduce inequality |
All other SDGs |
Chapter 11: Improve access to transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as support cultural heritage in Canada |
SDG 1 |
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 12: Support Canadians in reducing waste, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles |
SDG 2 |
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 4 |
|
SDG 8 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
Chapter 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts |
SDG 1 |
SDG 2 |
|
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 7 |
|
SDG 8 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 14: Conserve and protect Canada’s oceans |
SDG 2 |
SDG 6 |
|
SDG 8 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 15 |
|
Chapter 15: Protect and recover species, conserve Canadian biodiversity |
SDG 2 |
SDG 3 |
|
SDG 6 |
|
SDG 9 |
|
SDG 11 |
|
SDG 12 |
|
SDG 13 |
|
SDG 14 |
|
Chapter 16: Enforce environmental laws, manage impacts, and evaluate sustainable development activities |
All other SDGs |
Chapter 17: Strengthen partnerships to promote global action on climate change and sustainable development |
All other SDGs |
Strengthening transparency and accountability