DAOD 4003-0, Environmental Protection and Stewardship

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Policy Direction
4. Authorities
5. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 1999-03-31

Date of Modification: 2004-07-30

Application: This is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

• NDHQ Policy Directive P5/92, Canadian Forces and National Defence Policy on the Environment
• CFAO 36-50, Environmental Protection Management

Approval Authority: This DAOD is issued under the authority of the Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) (ADM(IE)).

Enquiries: Director General Environment (DGE)

2. Definitions

due diligence (diligence raisonnable)

Due diligence is the reasonable standard of care for the environment and for the health and safety of others that individuals shall exercise in the course of their actions and duties.

sustainable development (développement durable)

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In a military context, this means our present defence activities occur with minimum environmental outcomes that place restrictions on future needs.

3. Policy Direction

Context

3.1 The DND and the CAF are accountable for the impact that defence activities have on the environment. The intent of this policy is to ensure DND employees and CAF members respect the environment, exercise environmental stewardship, and protect public and non-public properties and assets held in trust.

Code of Environmental Stewardship

3.2 As part of this objective, the DND and the CAF adopted the following code of environmental stewardship. The DND and the CAF shall:

1. integrate environmental concerns with other relevant concerns including those from operations, finance, safety, health and economic development in decision-making;
2. meet or exceed the letter and spirit of all federal laws;
3. improve the level of environmental awareness throughout the DND and the CAF through environmental awareness training, and encourage and recognise the actions of personnel leading to positive impacts on the environment;
4. recognize that the life cycle aspects of hazardous material management (initial selection, procurement, use, handling, storage, transportation and disposal) is an essential factor in all planning with particular emphasis on determining whether the material should even be acquired given its characteristics (see DAOD 4003-1, Hazardous Materials Management);
5. ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into procurement policies and practices;
6. practise pollution prevention in day-to-day activities and operations by seeking cost-effective ways of reducing the consumption of raw materials, toxic substances, energy, water, and other resources, and of reducing the generation of waste and noise; and
7. acquire, manage and dispose of lands in a manner that is environmentally sound, including the protection of ecologically significant areas.

Exercising Due Diligence

3.3 As a minimum, due diligence requires individuals to:

1. know and obey federal environmental laws and regulations;
2. exercise caution;
3. prepare for risks that a thoughtful and reasonable person would foresee; and
4. respond to risks and incidents as soon as practicable.

3.4 Despite individual responsibilities and liabilities, commanding officers, commanders and other senior authorities shall ensure that DND employees and CAF members under their direction of command are appropriately educated in environmental matters related to their duties, and allocate appropriate resources to properly handle their environmental responsibilities.

Policy Statement

3.5 The DND and the CAF shall demonstrate responsiveness to and responsibility for respecting the environment in all their activities by:

1. adhering to the code of environmental stewardship;
2. implementing a sustainable development strategy;
3. conducting environmental assessments;
4. exercising due diligence;
5. developing, operating and maintaining an environmental management system (EMS) in accordance with the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 standards;
6. committing to continual improvement; and
7. communicating this policy.

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4. Authorities

Authority Table

4.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with the implementation of this DAOD:

5. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and Regulations
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and Regulations
• Fisheries Act and Regulations
• Auditor General Act
• Oceans Act
• Canada Wildlife Act and Regulations
• Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Regulations
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 and Regulations
• A Guide to Green Government
• CAN/CSA-ISO 14001, Environmental Management System - Specification with Guidance for Use

Other References

• DAOD 4003-1, Hazardous Materials Management
• DAOD 4003-2, Environmental Assessment
• Department of National Defence Sustainable Development Strategy
• Defence Plan On-Line