3. Environmental Sustainability
3.1 Environmental Sustainability in Defence
Defence accounts for about half of the federal government’s environmental footprint, having some of the largest and most complex infrastructure and equipment holdings in Canada. This presents the department with a great opportunity to positively impact the environment.
3.1.1 Contaminated sites
National Defence manages its contaminated sites according to Treasury Board policy. In 2022-2023, we reduced our contaminated sites liability by 10.6%. To restore lands and clean up contaminated sites in communities across Canada, we will continue to leverage the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP). As climate change may impact conceptual site models, Defence will follow FCSAP guidance to ensure that possible impacts to contaminated sites are considered.
Target 15 – Reduce National Defence’s contaminated sites liability by 10% per year to 2027.
Base Comox Firefighter Training Area Soil Remediation
Military training can have an impact on the environment and we are committed to managing the effects of our operations responsibly. At Base Comox, the past use of firefighting foams containing PFAS for firefighter training have impacted land and surface water in the area. In 2022, we completed a remediation project to remove and treat affected soil, filter stormwater for habitat conservation, and manage water used for firefighter training. This work has significantly reduced PFAS levels in the environment on and near the base.
3.1.2 Waste management
Wherever possible, we reduce, reuse, recycle and recover waste to minimize the environmental impact of Defence operations. We work to reduce and divert recyclable materials from landfills, recycle plastics in support of the Ocean Plastics Charter, and reduce food waste under the UN 2030 Agenda.
The GC has a goal to divert 75% of solid non-hazardous waste and 90% of construction, renovation and demolition waste from landfills by 2030. We support this goal and are developing tools and policies to divert more waste resulting from our activities.
Target 16 – Develop policies and procedures to increase construction, renovation and demolition waste diversion by 2027.
Diverting waste
The Defence Team diverts organic food waste from landfills by using biodigesters at dining facilities across our bases. As of 2021-2022, the CAF diverted over 186,000 tonnes of food waste from landfills and avoided approximately 800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
3.1.3 Net-zero and green procurement
Defence is committed to purchasing goods and services produced with environmental and energy impacts in mind. Where feasible, we leverage established green procurement practices to ensure our vehicle and military fleet acquisitions and upgrades consider energy and fuel efficiency, compatibility with low-carbon fuel and clean energy options, and green technology.
We continue to update our internal directives to align with new GC green procurement standards. We are also working with other federal government departments and industry partners to encourage major suppliers to disclose their GHG emissions and adopt a science-based target in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. These activities support the Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets.
Target 17 – Strengthen National Defence green procurement criteria and processes for military fleet procurement by 2027 to improve fleet energy, emissions and environmental performance.
Enhancing procurement processes
The procurement process for the Logistic Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project included a mandatory requirement for industry to deliver lower emissions trucks than those in our existing fleet, and incentivized even lower emissions solutions. The GC Value Proposition policy was used to encourage industry to invest in clean technology. The supplier that is awarded the contract will need to demonstrate how it plans to incorporate clean technology into the LVM fleets for the duration of the acquisition and in-service support contracts.
The Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) project requires bidders to demonstrate how they have incorporated sustainable aviation fuels, GBA Plus principles, and Indigenous participation in their solutions.
Materiel acquisition and support
We will work toward the GC’s net-zero target by developing a strategy for materiel acquisition and support activities. This net-zero strategy will serve as a roadmap to reduce fleet emission intensity. Our life-cycle approach to materiel management will account for GHG emissions and encourage emissions reductions across the defence supply chain.
Target 18 – Develop a net-zero 2050 strategy for materiel acquisition and support and implement high priority measures by 2027.
Zero emissions light-duty fleet
We have adopted an aggressive approach to reducing GHG emissions from our conventional light-duty vehicle fleet. All new conventional light-duty vehicle purchases will be green, when options are available and operationally feasible. In 2022-2023, 86% of our conventional light-duty vehicle purchases were hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs); though only 29% of those were ZEVs due to manufacturer supply chain issues. To support this new fleet of vehicles, we have also committed to installing electric vehicle charging stations at our bases.
Target 19 – 100% of National Defence’s conventional light-duty vehicle fleet purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrid when available, with a ZEV procurement target of 50% by 2027.
Target 20 – 500 electric vehicle chargers will be installed to support National Defence’s conventional light-duty fleet by 2027.
3.1.4 Environmental compliance
Environmental compliance means meeting the requirements of environmental policy and legislation, such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Species at Risk Act, Fisheries Act, and Impact Assessment Act. These requirements reflect minimum standards for protecting the environment. National Defence is committed to managing its assets with environmental compliance in mind. This includes planning, maintaining, monitoring and overseeing improvements to infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment systems, building heating and cooling systems and storage tank systems, to meet the latest environmental standards.
We consider climate change when making design and location decisions for buildings and their systems. Results from the department’s environmental impact assessment, climate change vulnerability, and risk assessment processes will lead to better understanding impacts and risks, and ensure environmental compliance for a more sustainable and resilient real property portfolio.
Demonstrating due diligence
The Rocky Point lagoon at Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Rocky Point in Victoria, B.C., was constructed around 1984. A recent assessment of the facility showed the wastewater treatment system could operate more effectively. The system was redesigned to enhance efficiency and maintain compliance with federal effluent quality standards. The upgraded system now has a four-part treatment process and energy-efficient components to treat wastewater before it discharges into the marine environment. Sampling results indicate the upgraded lagoon is operating effectively and meeting federal effluent quality standards.
3.1.5 Sustainable ranges and training areas
Maritime, Arctic and land-based ranges and training areas are critical to military training and the success of our mission. While we know military training has an impact, we are working to minimize it through our environmental sustainability programs.
Training Responsibly
The Range and Training Area Sustainment System is a process used by the Canadian Army to assess the environmental risks associated with land force generation activities and monitor the environmental sustainability of its ranges and training areas.
3.1.6 Biodiversity
Protecting biodiversity is vital to safeguarding a clean, safe and sustainable environment. At National Defence we manage large parcels of land rich in biodiversity.
Canada has set ambitious targets to support FSDS Goal 15 and the goal to conserve 25% of terrestrial, coastal and marine areas by 2025, and 30% by 2030. To help meet these targets, the Defence Team assessed and recognized part of Base Shilo as an Other Effective Conservation Measure (OECM) area. An OECM is a geographically defined area, other than a protected area, that is governed and managed to achieve positive, long-term outcomes to conserve biodiversity. We will continue to assess the compatibility of our other Defence properties for OECM recognition.
Target 21 - National Defence will assess 70% of its custodial lands (representing approximately 450,000 hectares) to determine their suitability for OECM recognition by 2027.
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