Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2023 to 2027 - 2024-25 Report
About this publication
Cat. No. AC2-14E-PDF
ISSN 2817-3554
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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 2025.
Introduction to the 2024-2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the act, to make decision making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in its 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This report provides an account on progress related to ACOA’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2024-2025.
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated into ACOA’s DSDS and its 2024-2025 DSDS report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, ACOA’s departmental strategy reports on Canada’s progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Commitments for ACOA
GOAL 7: INCREASE CANADIANS’ ACCESS TO CLEAN ENERGY
FSDS Context:
In its strategy, ACOA committed to working with key energy stakeholders, partners and First Nation communities to advocate for the advancement of transmission and clean energy sources as well as to promote collaboration with partners on clean energy infrastructure. The objective is to support a collective vision for how jurisdictions can collaborate over the coming decades to build a clean power network across Atlantic Canada to meet growing demand with affordable, reliable and clean electricity and to set the region and country on a path to net-zero by 2050.Footnote 1
ACOA’s planned action areas include:
- advancing priority transmission by working with Atlantic Canada’s electricity regulators to identify and address regulatory and innovation barriers to accelerate strategic high-impact regional projects
- adding new clean energy sources and developing emerging clean technologies to advance electrification. This includes identifying early-stage strategic proposals in Atlantic Canada, developing management capacity and fast-tracking readiness for national programs
Key Updates:
n 2024-2025, the Agency promoted a collective vision for jurisdictions at all levels to work together and create a clean-power network at various tables. ACOA collaborated with energy stakeholders, provincial governments and other federal departments to build awareness of regional, strategic clean-energy projects, to advocate for modern clean-electricity regulations, and to increase these projects’ readiness for national programs such as the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program, the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Strategic Innovation Fund Net-Zero Accelerator Initiative. ACOA also supported many research initiatives led by clean-energy groups and the 4 Atlantic provinces looking at the potential for clean energy in Atlantic Canada. For example, Marine Renewables Canada did an assessment of Atlantic Canada’s wind energy supply chain, providing background on the status of wind industry development and actionable recommendations for supply-chain growth based on short-term (2025), medium-term (2026–2030) and long-term time frames (2030). In addition, the Agency made strategic investments throughout Atlantic Canada in emerging clean technologies to advance electrification such as in batteries, small modular reactors, wind supply chains, smart-grid technologies, and decarbonization of marine vessels and hydrogen.
Internally, ACOA took concrete actions to build knowledge and awareness by delivering another 6 thematic sessions for staff with the goal to prepare employees to better support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), organizations and communities on their greening journey.
Project Spotlight
Newfoundland and Labrador’s College of the North Atlantic invested in hydrogen and ammonia lab equipment, training software and safety monitoring systems for the College’s Hydrogen Technician Program to provide students with hands-on experience and ensure alignment with industry standards in the energy sector.
Target theme: 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)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGs | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work with partners on clean and renewable energy. | ACOA is planning Regional Green Transition Summits as an internal capacity-building initiative, with the goal of accelerating Atlantic Canada’s competitiveness in a low-carbon future. These summits will raise awareness across the Agency by providing training and increasing knowledge on the green economy transition. Program: All ACOA programs |
Performance indicator: Completion of Regional Green Transition Summits that are provincially tailored and internal to ACOA staff to position the Agency for change. Starting point: 0 in 2022-2023 Target: 5 regional summits held overall by 2026-2027. |
ACOA’s summits will ensure strong collaboration within the Agency and outline a clear plan as to how it will support clean energy for the region. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: By 2030, 90%, and in the long term, 100%, of Canada’s electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources (7.3.1). CIF Indicator: Proportion of electricity generated from renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources. GIF Target: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (7.3). |
Indicator result: 5 regional summits have been held – this target is complete. Notes: In addition, 6 (21 in total since 2023-2024) one-hour thematic sessions were organized to build internal capacity and raise awareness on diverse topics, including carbon costing, AI for greening, the 2 Billion Trees Program, the Clean Growth Initiative, the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program, and industrial certification readiness (50 001 Ready). |
GOAL 8: ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CANADA
FSDS Context:
ACOA recognizes that clean technologies provide the pathway to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable growth in all areas of the economy. ACOA aims to continue its significant investments in clean growth and clean technology to support its development, demonstration, commercialization, adoption and exports.
ACOA’s planned action areas include:
- electrification, decarbonization and efficiency of Atlantic Canada’s economic sectors, especially those most vulnerable to market pressures
- supply-chain development by helping SMEs to decarbonize their operations to remain competitive in domestic and international supply chains
In the context of the FSDS, the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the Sustainable Jobs Plan and Canada’s innovation-related initiatives, ACOA will continue to work with the Provinces – as well as with regional Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders and experts – to explore how to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, grow clean-tech firms, adopt clean technologies, foster exports, and drive innovation in order to transition to a low-carbon economy, leveraging regional strengths.
Key Updates:
In 2024-2025, the Agency funded over 200 clean-growth priority projects with expenditures totalling $44.5 million. Projects supported the commercialization of new clean technologies, funded research and development and export development, and helped SMEs adopt clean technologies. The Agency also enhanced its capacity to integrate sustainable development into its activities, resulting in employees who are more fluent in clean and sustainable growth considerations and in the paths to sustainability for communities, SMEs and organizations. These activities were informed by the lived experiences of ACOA clients, including sustainability best practices. It led to innovative approaches such as the Agency’s Clean Growth Initiative, which invested over $27 million with 38 clients to help them transition to more sustainable operations. This small group of SMEs is expected to reduce fossil fuel consumption by more than 268,000 litres, water usage by 412,000 litres, and CO2 by 37.3 tonnes annually, for millions in cost savings.
Progress against this goal indirectly supported other SDG targets (e.g., SDG target 8.9), including support for the development of sustainable tourism, which creates jobs and promotes local culture and products, by 2030. ACOA contributed to this goal by investing $44.2 million in over 380 tourism projects across the region. Many projects aimed to help providers reduce their emissions, better manage resources such as water, make their products and services more sustainable, including turning to clean energy and creating eco-friendly attractions.
In 2024-2025, the Agency’s activities continued to help affected communities transition to a greener economy through economic diversification activities. A prime example is the assistance provided to sustainable energy sources and industrial green hubs, thus supporting the FSDS short-term milestone of delivering a coal-transition program in Atlantic Canada through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative and its Infrastructure Fund. ACOA invested nearly $17.8 million in 25 projects to help affected communities diversify their economies by investing in infrastructure. Of these projects, 10 ($5.2 million) had targeted clean-growth priority investments. These investments supported the commitment by Natural Resources Canada and the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to advance the phasing out of coal by 2030.
Finally, ACOA made progress toward its planned actions on supply-chain development to remain competitive in domestic and international markets. For example, the Agency supported Energy NL’s Renewable Energy Supplier Session on wind and hydrogen developments in Newfoundland and Labrador to promote supply-chain development, which included approximately 300 service and supplier participants.
Project Spotlight
New Brunswick’s SystemAir, specialized in air handling, distribution and ventilation systems, invested in advanced manufacturing equipment to manufacture its products, enhancing automation of the production line to reduce steel waste and material manipulation and to foster sustainable growth for the company. Ventilation, heating and cooling account for a large part of buildings’ energy needs and thus also a significant part of the world’s CO2 emissions. SystemAir’s investments contribute to energy-efficient buildings with safe air quality and reduced emissions by reducing total energy consumption.
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal ‘Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada’ but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGs | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support workers, businesses and communities. | Support economic development projects that foster the development, commercialization, export and adoption of clean technologies. Where appropriate, ACOA will collaborate with regional and provincial stakeholders, including post-secondary institutions, businesses, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and research centres when making these investments. Program: All ACOA programs |
Performance indicator: ACOA expenditures ($) for economic development projects that foster clean-growth priorities. This includes development, commercialization, export and adoption of clean technologies, and the scaling up of clean-tech firms. Starting point: $36 million in 2022-2023 Target: $144 million expended by 2026-2027. |
ACOA investments in clean technology will count directly toward national commitments pledged for Mission Innovation, a global initiative to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians contribute to and benefit from sustainable economic growth (8.6.1). CIF Indicator: Jobs in the clean technology products sector. GIF Target: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services (8.3). |
Indicator result: $44.5 million expended in 2024-2025. Notes: Cumulatively, this is $80.5 million toward the $144 million target for 2026-2027. |
| Other – Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund (part of the Investing in Canada Plan – Green Stream). | Deliver funding and support through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund (CCTI-IF) to help Atlantic Canadian communities move away from coal by investing in infrastructure. This action is a continuation of DSDS 2020 to 2023 indicators due to ongoing implementation of the CCTI-IF. Program: Business Growth Diversified Communities Innovation Ecosystem |
Performance indicator: Number of communities and surrounding areas benefiting from CCTI-IF investments. Starting Point: 14 communities overall, as of 2022-2023. Target: 5 eligible communities with projects by 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Number of projects supported. Starting point: 37 projects overall, as of 2022-2023. Target: At least 12 projects by 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Value of projects supported. Starting point: $13.5 million overall, as of 2022-2023. Target: $42.75 million by 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Amount leveraged per dollar invested by ACOA for CCTI-IF projects. Starting point: $1.92 overall, as of 2022-2023. Target: $1.5 overall by 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Number of partnerships/collaborations concluded. Starting point: 15 partnerships/ collaborations with a total of 62 partners in 2022-2023. Target: 30 by 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Number of jobs created or maintained. Starting point: 187 since inception Target: 100 by 2024-2025. |
ACOA will help communities support employment while moving away from coal-generated energy by delivering funding to improve green infrastructure in communities. This reporting is a continuation of DSDS 2020 to 2023 indicators to remain transparent in the ongoing implementation of the CCTI-IF. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians contribute to and benefit from sustainable economic growth (8.6.1). CIF Indicator: Jobs in the clean technology products sector. GIF Target: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services (8.3). |
Indicator result:
|
GOAL 10: ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context:
The Government of Canada aims to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. ACOA’s Departmental Plan speaks to realizing this goal through the overarching objective of building a more innovative, inclusive, diversified and sustainable regional economy.
The Agency invests in projects led by Indigenous peoples. These investments strive to reach a larger number of Indigenous businesses by supporting efforts that target capacity building and increase knowledge and awareness by convening federal, provincial, stakeholder and community partners through joint participation in key committees, initiatives and communities of interest. ACOA is also resolute in supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment that 5% of the total value of contracts be awarded to Indigenous businesses.
ACOA’s internal strategy is for employees to contribute to a culture that welcomes, respects, appreciates and includes voices from diverse backgrounds, and acts to identify systemic racism, discrimination and barriers to move toward more inclusive business practices. The Agency continues to prioritize equity, inclusion and anti-racism within its human resources practices to respond to the forward direction of the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service as well as to Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation. The Agency’s 2022–2025 Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EEIAR) Action Plan contains recruitment, retention and career development objectives for Indigenous peoples and for other equity-seeking groups. The plan promotes enhanced understanding of Indigenous history, the teaching of reconciliation and the development of Indigenous cultural competency. The Agency recently implemented employee-led networks (Indigenous and other equity-seeking groups) and regional equity, inclusion and anti-racism committees to help guide the Agency’s strategies and action plan.
Key Updates:
In 2024-2025, with its suite of programs and initiatives, ACOA invested $59.2 million in 440 projects to support diversity, equity and inclusion objectives or entrepreneurs from under-represented groups. This included $15.2 million for Indigenous peoples; $20.3 million for women; $13.2 million for official language minority community members; $15.9 million for Black, racialized and visible minorities; $1.5 million for persons with disabilities; $3.4 million for recent immigrants; and $7.6 million for youth. In addition to these groups, the Agency recognized that a person’s place of residence may be a limiter to accessing government support. In response to this reality, ACOA delivered a significant portion of its support (42.2%) to rural communities, representing $128.9 million in spending on 870 projects. Furthermore, the Agency awarded 12% of its contracts to Indigenous businesses, continuing to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase the participation of such businesses in federal procurement. Finally, ACOA invested $2.3 million in Atlantic Canadian business support organizations through the Black Entrepreneurship Program’s National Ecosystem Fund to help support a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the business community in the Atlantic provinces.
As part of its response to the Call to Action and its EEIAR action plan, the Agency met its objective of making its workforce more diverse by including greater Indigenous employee representation and creating a new Indigenous employee-led network. This new network, along with 8 other equity-seeking networks and 4 regional EEIAR Committees, has helped guide the Agency’s strategies and action plan.
Project Spotlight
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Prince Edward Island supported the growth of Indigenous products and events promoting sustainable tourism development and expansion through highly effective collaboration efforts. The association conducted the “Mawikuti’kw Tourism Development Series”, which connected Indigenous people to workshops on professional development, cultural training and tourism growth, offered through a wide range of partners and supporters. The association has expanded its presence in downtown Charlottetown at 2 dedicated locations, strengthened its artisan support network and membership, and received national recognition as the Indigenous Tourism Associations of Canada’s 2025 Provincial/Territorial Indigenous Tourism Association of the Year.
Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis communities
Target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada).
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGs | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. | Award 5% of the total value of contracts to indigenous businesses. Program: Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses. Starting point: 10% in 2022-2023. Target: At least 5% annually. |
ACOA strengthens its relationship with Indigenous peoples and helps increase economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses, especially those located in the Atlantic region. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target:Canadians live free of discrimination, and inequalities are reduced (10). GIF Target:Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and by promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard (10.3). |
Indicator result: 12% in 2024-2025. |
GOAL 12: REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context:
The Government of Canada recognizes the need to reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, as well as to promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. ACOA is committed to participating in Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan by converting its light-duty fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and maximizing the diversion of waste to landfills by following the Greening of Government Strategy for the procurement of goods and services.
ACOA does not own real property; however, it does collaborate in Government of Canada initiatives to maximize the diversion of waste from landfills. The Agency contributes to reducing waste destined for landfills as much as possible through its ongoing internal strategies such as donating 100% of functional computers and accessories to the Computers for School program; and 100% of reusable furniture is posted on GC Surplus for transfer to other federal departments or for resale to the public.
Key Updates:
In 2024-2025, ACOA made active efforts to reduce its waste and practise responsible procurement. ACOA continued to assess its fleet needs, with the objective of reducing its number of vehicles whenever possible, and greening existing vehicles when operational requirements and availability permitted. The Agency’s fleet now consists of 10% ZEVs. The Agency ensures all supplies purchased are sustainable, including Forest Stewardship Council-certified recycled paper. The Agency also recycles unused goods, donating nearly 400 items to Computers for Schools Plus. To extend the useful lifespan of ACOA’s surplus furniture, the Agency donated 11% of its furniture and sold 74% through GCSurplus.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGs | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transform the federal light-duty fleet. | Take actions to decarbonize ACOA fleet, notably by right-sizing analysis and prioritizing hybrid and/or ZEV purchases as per the Greening Government Strategy’s fleet guidance, all while considering Public Services and Procurement Canada purchasing guidelines, availability of infrastructure and service, and ACOA’s operational needs. Program: Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of vehicles replaced using right-sizing analysis and low-carbon replacement assessments, as per the Greening Government Strategy’s Fleet Guidance. Starting point: 100% in 2022-2023 Target: 100% annually. |
As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetime with ZEVs or hybrids, and/or as the size of the fleet is reduced, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: ZEVs represent 10% of new light-duty vehicle purchases by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040 (12.1.1). CIF Indicator: Proportion of new light-duty vehicle registrations that are ZEVs (12.1.1). GIF Target: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities (12.7). |
Indicator result: 100% in 2024-2025. |
| Strengthen green procurement criteria. | Ensure completion of Green Procurement training for all Agency acquisition cardholders and track this information. Ensure the integration of environmental performance considerations into the procurement process, including planning, acquisition, use and disposal. Monitor and analyze green purchasing trends. Program: Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of Agency acquisition cardholders who have completed Green Procurement training. Starting point: 100% in 2022-2023. Target: 100% annually. Performance indicator: Percentage of toner cartridges recycled. Starting point: 100% in 2022-2023. Target: 100% annually. Performance indicator: Percentage of copy paper purchased that has a minimum of 30% recycled content. Starting point: 100% in 2022-2023. Target: 100% annually. Performance indicator: Percentage of paper used that is Forest Stewardship Council certified, including for letterhead, business cards and envelopes. Starting point: 100% in 2022-2023. Target: 100% annually. |
Actions that reduce the generation of waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator: Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices (12.2.1). GIF Target: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities (12.7). |
Performance indicator: Percentage of Agency acquisition cardholders who have completed Green Procurement training. Indicator result: 100% in 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Percentage of toner cartridges recycled. Indicator result: 100% in 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Percentage of copy paper purchased that has a minimum of 30% recycled content. Indicator result: 100% in 2024-2025. Performance indicator: Percentage of paper used that is Forest Stewardship Council certified, including for letterhead, business cards and envelopes. Indicator result: 100% in 2024-2025. |
GOAL 13: TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
The Government of Canada, through its FSDS, will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations in support of the Greening of Government Strategy. ACOA will continue to support these efforts through the implementation of Canada’s climate change strategies and initiatives and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
Key Updates:
ACOA acknowledges that climate change can have an impact on its operations and continually reviews its risk profile to identify climate-change-related risks in the departmental risk-identification exercise and make necessary changes to mitigate them as appropriate.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGs | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the Government’s overall operations. | Include climate-change-related risks in the departmental risk-identification exercise and make necessary changes to mitigate them, if applicable. Program: Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Ongoing review of ACOA’s corporate risks to ensure they are relevant and/or integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation, if applicable. Starting point: ACOA’s corporate risk profile was reviewed in 2021-2022 Target: Review and update corporate risk identification exercise annually. |
Factoring climate variability and change into policy, programs and operations is one of the most important ways the government can adapt to a changing climate and is consistent with the government’s risk management approach of enhancing the protection of public assets and resources, and strengthening planning and decision making. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change. CIF Indicator: Proportion of municipal organizations that factored climate change adaptation into decision-making processes (13.3.1). GIF Target: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning (13.2). Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries (13.1). |
Indicator result: ACOA reviewed its corporate risk profile in 2024-2025 and plans to update it in 2025-2026. |
Integrating Sustainable Development
ACOA will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
Public statements on the results of ACOA’s assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA, normally published on ACOA’s Transparency webpage. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision making.
ACOA was not required to complete any SEAs in 2024-2025.