Archived: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2013-14 report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 1

Section 1: Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013-16, tabled on November 4, 2013, guides the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the FSDA, to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Environment Canada supports the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) through the activities found in this departmental strategy.

Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitments for Theme I - Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality, Theme II - Maintaining Water Quality and Availability, Theme III - Protecting Nature and Canadians, within the context of the 2013-16 FSDS. This DSDS also provides the results for Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government based on the 2010-13 FSDS. 

The DSDS represents Environment Canada’s contributions to the Federal Strategy. It includes a summary of the Department’s sustainable development practices, and plans and performance against FSDS goals, targets, and Implementation Strategies led or contributed to by the Department.

For additional context, please see Sections 5 and 6 of the DSDS.