Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Department of National Defence

Defence Energy and Environment Strategy

1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2016 to 2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, The Department of National Defence supports reporting on the implementation of the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

2. Sustainable development in the Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for 2017 to 2020 describes the department’s actions in support of achieving Low-Carbon Government, Healthy Wildlife Populations, and Safe and Healthy Communities. This includes efforts that support the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals. This supplementary information table presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Previous years’ supplementary information tables are posted on the Department of National Defence’s website.

3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal

The following tables provide performance information on departmental action[s] in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2.

Context: Low-Carbon Government

DND identified a wide range of measures to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and the commercial vehicle fleet. These measures include:

investing in infrastructure projects to reduce our carbon footprint;
designating energy managers;
pursuing opportunities to use clean power;
requiring new construction and major recapitalization projects to meet or exceed high-performing buildings standards;
implementing new energy performance contracts;
achieving energy performance standards for all new or recapitalized residential housing units;
integrating sustainability principles in all real property development plans;
modernizing the commercial vehicle fleet; and
reducing petroleum-generated electrical energy consumption at deployed camps.

Context for the FSDS goal: Healthy wildlife populations

In recognition of the potential impact of Defence activities on biodiversity and habitat within training and operating areas, Defence adheres to federal regulations on flora and fauna protection while taking into account the need for military training.

Context for the FSDS goal: Safe and healthy communities

DND manages its contaminated sites to reduce risks to human health and the environment and to reduce the associated financial liability. Range and training areas are managed in order to support force generation in the long term while also minimizing undue impacts on the natural environment from military training. DND is committed to managing hazardous materials with care from purchase to disposal, reducing their use and removing them where possible. DND will optimize its potable water consumption and wastewater production as well as manage its storm-water runoff as per best environmental practices.

Consult the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy supplementary information table in the 2018–2019 Departmental Results Report for last year’s results.

FSDS Goal: Low-Carbon Government - The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

FSDS target(s)	FSDS contributing action(s)	Corresponding departmental action(s)	Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) target	Starting point(s), target and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions	Results achieved	Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025	Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings	By 2030, reduce GHG emissions in DND buildings and commercial vehicle fleet by 40%	SDG 12.7 SDG 13.2	Starting point: 788.9 kt CO₂ eq. % of GHG emissions reduction relative to a 2005 baseline	31%	GHG reductions from the DND infrastructure and commercial vehicle portfolio are critical to achieving FSDS goal for GoC.
		Invest $225 million by 2020 in a wide range of infrastructure projects across Canada to reduce DND’s carbon footprint		% of $225 million expended	100%	Investments in green infrastructure and new technology contribute to GHG reduction.
		Designate energy managers at all bases and wings by 31 March 2019		% of bases and wings with designated energy managers	100%	Dedicated energy managers identify, implement and maintain efficiency measures at all bases and wings. Local integration of energy engineering principles increase the operational efficiencies and sustainability of our infrastructure.
		Pursue opportunities to use clean power at all bases and wings by 2025		Starting point: 55% (FY 2015-16) % of clean power used at bases and wings	74%	Buying clean power from regional grids is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
		Require new construction and major recapitalization projects to meet or exceed the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard or equivalent for high-performing buildings		% of new construction and major recapitalization projects meeting or exceeding the Silver LEED standard or equivalent	100%	Buildings built to LEED Silver standards use less energy thereby producing less greenhouse gas emissions.
		Achieve an EnerGuide energy performance standard for all new or recapitalized residential housing units by 31 March 2020		% of new or recapitalized residential housing units that have been assessed for energy performance under the EnerGuide program	100%	Ensuring new or recapitalized RHUs achieve certain EnerGuide ratings reduces energy use which results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
		Implement new energy performance contracts at all bases and wings by 31 March 2025		% of bases and wings with energy performance contracts implemented	46%	EPCs allow energy service providers to identify and implement energy efficiencies on bases and wings and get paid back through energy savings from measures such as lighting retrofits, modernized central heating plants, building upgrades as well as improved operating practices.
		Integrate sustainability principles in all real property development plans by 31 March 2020		% of real property development plans with sustainability principles	32%	Sustainable land use planning improves energy efficiency and reduces GHG emissions on bases and wings through best practices such as sustainable landscape design, passive design and utilizing real property efficiently.
	Modernize our fleet	Ensure 30% of DND light-duty vehicle fleet runs on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and/or electric technology, where suitable for operational needs and where vehicles with this technology are available in the Government Motor Vehicle Ordering Guide, by 31 March 2020		% of light-duty vehicle fleet that is hybrid, plug-in hybrid and/or electric	33%	Purchasing hybrid, electric vehicles (EV) and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) for the light commercial fleet where it is cost-effective and meets operational requirements reduces GHG emissions.
	Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement	Align departmental policy on green procurement with the government’s Policy on Green Procurement within 12 months of its issuance by Treasury Board		Applicable departmental policy on green procurement reflects Government of Canada direction	Yes	Procurement transactions integrate environmental considerations (such as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and use of low-carbon energy) into the procurement decision-making process, consider green concepts in product design and identify opportunities to reduce and reuse during the planning stage.
		Integrate green procurement considerations in 90% of real property procurement instruments by 31 March 2019, where applicable		% of real property procurement instruments with green procurement considerations	Results unquantifiable	N/A
	Develop policy for low-carbon government	Achieve 100% compliance with the Cabinet directive on strategic environmental assessments for all relevant departmental proposals		% of relevant proposals for which the strategic environmental assessment process is completed	72%	SEA supports integration of environmental considerations, such as those associated with GHG emissions and climate change, into policy and proposal development.
	Demonstrate innovative technologies	Reduce petroleum-generated electrical energy consumption by 50% at deployed camps by 2030		Starting point: 3 kilowatts per person (FY 2005-06) % of reduction of petroleum generated electrical energy consumption at deployed camps	55%	This target shows leadership in sustainable Defence operations, even in demanding conditions. Improving energy management in major deployed camps reduces GHG emissions

Context: Healthy Wildlife Populations

Healthy Wildlife Populations - All species have healthy and viable populations

FSDS target(s)	FSDS contributing action(s)	Corresponding departmental action(s)	Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) target	Starting point(s), target and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions	Results achieved	Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans	Use legislation and regulations to protect species at risk and migratory birds	Endorse species-at-risk work plans for all bases and wings by 31 March 2019	SDG 15.9	% of species-at-risk work plans that are endorsed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)	57% species-at-risk work plans endorsed by ECCC 95% species-at-risk work plans developed by DND	Implementation of activities outlined in work plans will support compliance with the Species at Risk Act and the protection of species at risk, their residences and critical habitat on DND lands.

Context: Safe and Healthy Communities

Safe and Healthy Communities - All Canadians live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their health and well-being

FSDS target(s)	FSDS contributing action(s)	Corresponding departmental action(s)	Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) target	Starting point(s), target and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions	Results achieved	Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
By 2020, address the 4,300 substances identified as priorities for action under the Chemicals Management Plan	Demonstrate leadership on assessing and remediating contaminated sites	Reduce DND’s contaminated sites liability by an average of 7% per year by 2020	SDG 3.9 SDG 12.4	% of reduction in contaminated sites liability based on the closing liability of the previous year	16.5%	By managing its contaminated sites in a manner that is consistent with TB Policy, DND is reducing risks to human health and the environment
		Assess the environmental risk of all small arms ranges by 31 March 2019 to recommend modern range design options and the sustainable use of range and training areas		% of small arms ranges that are assessed and ranked based on environmental risk	100%	Assessing hazards and sustainably managing DND lands minimize or eliminate risks to the environment due to substances used at range and training
		Implement modernized spill tracking and halocarbon management systems by 31 March 2018		Spill tracking system and halocarbon management system implemented	Yes	The implementation of tracking systems support the proper management of regulated substances
	Provide information to inform action and decision making	Complete source water vulnerability assessments on all sites where DND supplies its own drinking water by 31 March 2020		% of sites with source water vulnerability assessments completed	73%	Source water vulnerability assessments and management plans help protect the Department’s drinking water quality which contributes directly to keeping our communities safe and healthy.

4. Report on integrating sustainable development

The Department of National Defence will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. A 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 the Department of National Defence’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see here). 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.

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Date modified:: 2020-12-07

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