Message from the Minister

I am pleased to present an update to the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES). The DEES outlines our ongoing commitment to implement Government of Canada (GoC) commitments under the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), the Greening Government Strategy (GGS), the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The strategy acknowledges international agreements such as the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Since 2017, the Defence Team has made significant progress towards greening the organization. Ongoing investments in green technologies and innovative approaches to managing our business are helping us meet our sustainability commitments and will leave a healthier environment for future generations to enjoy. This strategy will continue to guide the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in achieving sustainability in energy and environmental management.

With the path set in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are as committed as ever to reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while remaining operationally effective. We will do our part to support the GoC goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. By 2025, DND has committed to reducing our GHG emissions from buildings and commercial light-duty vehicles by 40 percent from 2005 levels – this is five full years ahead of our initial target of 2030. We continue to focus on four key goals: improving energy efficiency, integrating climate change adaptation into our programs, maintaining sustainable real property, and strengthening DND’s green procurement processes.

With this document, we join our allies in finding innovative ways to support operational success, while respecting Canadians’ right to a safe and clean environment. We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship at home and on deployed operations. The challenge is great, but our resolve is greater.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, PC, OMM, MSM, CD, MP