2023-24 Departmental Plan: United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
| UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Planned initiatives | Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets |
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. |
Management of Substances and Waste Program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste through various actions and activities including stakeholder engagement, information gathering, research, monitoring, tracking and reporting of harmful substances, and assessing and managing their risks to the environment.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. |
The Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships Program (WQEP) aims to contribute to the integrated management of Canada’s priority ecosystems, including improving their water quality and restoring them to a healthy, productive and sustainable state. Priority ecosystems targeted with action plans include the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River system, Lake Winnipeg Basin, as well as those in a number of other major basins (Fraser River, Mackenzie River, Wolostoq/St. John River and Lake Simcoe.), The WQEP program also incorporates work under a number of other Regional Initiatives (, Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives, and Salish Sea Ecosystem). Key science activities include research on the effects of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems, and monitoring Canada’s freshwater and shellfish harvesting areas. The Program contributes coordination and oversight to ecosystem management, develops and shares science, and fund proposals that leverage contributions from other sources. It engages and supports coordinated effort among diverse stakeholders, including other levels of government and water shed governance bodies in Canada and the U.S., Indigenous organizations, non-government organizations and industry, as well as post-secondary institutions.
The Community EcoAction Program aims to increase Canadians’ participation in activities to protect, conserve and restore the environment. The EcoAction Community Funding Program provides financial support for local action-focused projects, which produce measurable, positive effects on the environment and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future. The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) is a Specified Purpose Account (SPA) administered by ECCC to direct funds received from fines, court orders and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit Canada’s natural environment.
The St. Lawrence Action Plan Community Interaction Program (CIP) supports the implementation of community-led projects aimed at conserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use, and improving the water quality and ecosystem of the St. Lawrence River. As part of the 2011-2026 St. Lawrence Action Plan, the program is implemented by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Quebec's Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). Non-profit non-government organizations and Indigenous communities can request funding to conduct public awareness, applied research, biodiversity protection or restoration projects. Management of Substances and Waste Program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste through various actions and activities including stakeholder engagement, information gathering, research, monitoring, tracking and reporting of harmful substances, and assessing and managing their risks to the environment.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. |
The Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation Program’s activities include supporting, coordinating, developing, and implementing Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, regulations and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s GHG emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
ECCC is developing on the development of a Clean Electricity Regulations that will help drive progress towards a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. The CER is part of a suite of measures from the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan to move the country’s electricity sector to net-zero, as an enabler for broader decarbonisation in order to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets |
These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. |
The Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation Program’s activities include supporting, coordinating, developing, and implementing Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, regulations and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s GHG emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
ECCC is developing on the development of a Clean Electricity Regulations that will help drive progress towards a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. The CER is part of a suite of measures from the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan to move the country’s electricity sector to net-zero, as an enabler for broader decarbonisation in order to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets Management of Substances and Waste Program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste through various actions and activities including regulatory regimes for hazardous waste, hazardous recyclable materials, e-waste and waste water, all of which affect infrastructure in Canada.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. |
The Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation Program’s activities include supporting, coordinating, developing, and implementing Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, regulations and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s GHG emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Program includes the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), which provides funding to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to administer a revolving fund for grants, loans and loan guarantees to encourage investment in municipal environmental projects. Management of Substances and Waste Program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste through various actions and activities including stakeholder engagement, information gathering, research, monitoring, tracking and reporting of harmful substances, and assessing and managing their risks to the environment.
The Habitat Conservation and Protection Program aims to secure, protect, connect, improve and restore ecologically sensitive habitat, including wetlands, to contribute to the conservation and protection of migratory birds, species at risk and other wildlife, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Air Quality Program aims to improve the quality of ambient air and to reduce outdoor air pollution and its effects on human health and the environment. The Program performs air quality science (research, monitoring and modeling) and, analysis, generates emissions data, and provides technical and policy advice. The Program develops Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards, monitors and reports on ambient air quality, and develops and administers regulations and other risk management instruments to reduce air pollutant emissions from industry, vehicles, engines and fuels, and consumer and commercial products. The Program collaborates with other federal departments, provinces, territories and other stakeholders to address domestic air pollution and to implement Canada’s Air Quality Management System and works internationally to reduce transboundary air pollution.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. |
Management of Substances and Waste program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste and to reduce threats to Canada’s aquatic system and prevent marine pollution, and contributes to ecosystem health in oceans and the Antarctic. In 2023-24, ECCC will continue to support and undertake science, promote innovation, and employ the tools available to it under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to ensure the plastics remain in the economy and out of the environment. As the federal government member of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), ECCC works with the provinces and territories, to implement the 2018 Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste, and its Phase 1 and Phase 2 Action Plans. The comprehensive Strategy targets each stage in the lifecycle of plastics through a suite of activities described in its Action Plans. In addition, Canada is working with countries and stakeholders to develop an ambitious and effective global agreement that takes a circular economy approach to reduce plastic waste, increase the value recovery of plastics, and tackle plastic pollution through a range of complementary solutions that span the plastics lifecycle. Other priorities for ECCC in 2022–23 include implementing the national ban on certain harmful single use plastic products and developing recycled content and labelling requirements for plastic packaging, and supporting Provincial and Territorial Extended Producer Responsibility by establishing a federal plastic registry. . Canada implements and is an active contributor to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal which aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation and management of hazardous and other wastes.
Through the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), the Government of Canada works with domestic and international partners to assess and manage risks to human health and the environment posed by chemical substances. Engagement with a variety of stakeholders and partners, and outreach to the public are fundamental to delivering the core functions of the CMP. Under CEPA 1999, the Government of Canada is responsible for encouraging the participation of Canadians in all stages of the decision-making process, and for providing information to Canadians on human health and the state of the environment. Once it has been determined that a chemical substance poses a risk, risk management instruments (mandatory or voluntary) are then identified, developed and put into action to help prevent, reduce or eliminate that risk. Since March 2022, the CMP has been consulting with interested parties to help ensure that businesses and consumers have access to the information required in order to support sustainable products and sustainable decision-making by consumers, including through regulatory or other equally effective actions. The information collected through the consultations will inform a strategy that will be published in 2023 on the government’s approach to enhance the availability of information on chemicals in products to support informed decision-making for the protection of the environment and human health. Internationally, Canada continues to champion the Ocean Plastics Charter, launched during our 2018 G7 Presidency. In support of the Charter, Canada delivered $100M to help address plastic waste in developing countries, spark innovation to beat plastic pollution, and support innovative private-public partnerships, and has played an important role as a co-facilitator of the plastic pollution negotiations during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), where the global community came together to recognize the plastic pollution crisis as an environmental priority, and unanimously agreed to develop a new international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. More recently, Canada became an inaugural member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution by 2040 towards the negotiation of the new international legally binding agreement. Canada stands ready to work with all countries and partners towards the development of an ambitious global treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. The Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation Program’s activities include supporting, coordinating, developing, and implementing Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, regulations and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s GHG emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 13: Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. |
The Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation Program’s activities include supporting, coordinating, developing, and implementing Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, regulations and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). This program supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s GHG emission reduction target of 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The proposed Regulations Amending the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 31, 2022. The proposed Regulations, in which ZEV sales requirements are proposed for passengers’ automobiles and light trucks, is part of the commitments made under the 2030 Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) and making progress toward meeting Canada’s 2030 target and lay the groundwork for net-zero emissions by 2050. The Government of Canada is also taking action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the oil and gas sector at a pace and scale necessary to achieve Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Key elements of the Government’s plan are capping and cutting GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector and ensuring at least 75% reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 2030 relative to 2012 levels. The Climate Change Adaptation Program coordinates action on the adaptation and climate resilience elements of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and Canada’s strengthened climate plan. This includes work with other federal departments, provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, other countries and ongoing policy development, such as Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy and the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan. Included here is the climate science, modelling and analysis needed to inform climate-smart decision-making. This Program has also directly delivered on the commitment to improve access to foundational climate science, information, and services through establishment of the Canadian Centre for Climate Services in 2018. Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, released for comment on November 24, 2022, will be finalized in 2023.
The International Climate Change Action Program leads Canada’s efforts in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement processes, with a focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It also provides leadership, expertise and advances Canada’s priorities in other international fora. In addition, the Program helps developing countries transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate–resilient, nature-positive and inclusive development through the delivery of Canada’s international climate finance commitments. Climate and environment related finance is also provided to international climate and environmental organizations, and domestic organizations working internationally, that are working to advance global climate change action. The Program co-leads the negotiation of environmental commitments in Canada’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) including the promotion of substantive climate change provisions. It is also responsible for the implementation of environmental provisions in FTAs and environmental cooperation instruments, as well as promoting the adoption of Canadian cleantech solutions globally to advance climate action.
Climate Science 2050: Canada’s Climate Science and Knowledge Plan identifies the most pressing climate change science activities that are needed to inform and refine climate action. This Plan notes the importance of participating in and leveraging science efforts to ensure that Canada continues to build its science capacity, taking advantage of the international science base, and that state-of-science evidence and knowledge informs Canadian climate action. Participation and leadership in international science programs is necessary to allow Canadian data and knowledge to meet the most rigorous scientific standards for quality, accuracy, and credibility, while leveraging international efforts and partnerships. Faster & Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy is Canada’s response to signing the November 2021 Global Methane Pledge (GMP) that commits members to a collective goal of reducing human-caused methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. Canada will be able to reduce domestic methane emissions by more than 35% by 2030, compared to 2020. Through this strategy, and as the Government of Canada engages with international partners through fora such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Arctic Council, and the Global Methane Initiative, Canada will continue to demonstrate leadership by supporting cost-effective global reductions, seizing market opportunities, advancing international science, research and development, and encouraging global action on methane. |
These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 14: Life below Water Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. |
Management of Substances and Waste Program aims to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and waste and to reduce threats to Canada’s aquatic system and prevent marine pollution, and contributes to ecosystem health in oceans and the Antarctic. The Program also implements regulations to reduce and prevent environmental emergencies and responds to environmental emergencies 24/7, by providing scientific and technical advice and ensuring measures are taken to protect the environment. The Program also implements regulations to reduce and prevent environmental emergencies and responds to environmental emergencies 24/7, by providing scientific and technical advice and ensuring measure are taken to protect the environment.
The Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) was launched in November 2017 to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Under the OPP, Canada restored more than 650 million square meters of aquatic habitat; made it illegal to abandon vessels in the waters; funded 500 projects to remove or dispose of abandoned vessels across the country; surveyed 16,000 kilometers of shoreline to better understand coastal habitat; and helped with the survival and recovery of 223 threatened or endangered species. In 2022, the OPP was renewed for another nine years with a $3.5 billion investment to build and expand on the existing work to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. The next phase of OPP will reduce risks and mitigate damage to marine ecosystems and coastal communities from marine shipping, including aquatic invasive species and wrecked, abandoned, and hazardous vessels. Internationally, Canada continues to champion the Ocean Plastics Charter, launched during our 2018 G7 Presidency. In support of the Charter, Canada delivered $100M to help address plastic waste in developing countries, spark innovation to beat plastic pollution, and support innovative private-public partnerships, and has played an important role as a co-facilitator of the plastic pollution negotiations during the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), where the global community came together to recognize the plastic pollution crisis as an environmental priority, and unanimously agreed to develop a new international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. More recently, Canada became an inaugural member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution by 2040 towards the negotiation of the new international legally binding agreement. Canada stands ready to work with all countries and partners towards the development of an ambitious global treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. Through Canada’s $5.3 billion international climate finance commitment, Canada is supporting innovative initiatives that are helping to scale up private and philanthropic investment in nature-based solutions for ocean health and coastal resilience in particularly vulnerable countries and ecosystems. As announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at COP26 in 2021, Canada is funding $9 million in support for the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) for ongoing work helping Small Island Developing States and coastal developing countries increase their resilience to the impacts of climate change through nature-based solutions. The Prime Minister also announced Canada’s commitment of $6 million for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) to support international efforts in coral reef conservation and restoration. The Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution Program works to minimize damage to the environment from pollution by promoting compliance and applying a risk-based approach to enforce environmental laws, regulations and other instruments administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The Habitat Conservation and Protection Program aims to secure, protect, connect, improve and restore ecologically sensitive habitat, including wetlands, to contribute to the conservation and protection of migratory birds, species at risk and other wildlife, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 15: Life on Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. |
The Habitat Conservation and Protection Program aims to secure, protect, connect, improve and restore ecologically sensitive habitat, including wetlands, to contribute to the conservation and protection of migratory birds, species at risk and other wildlife, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships Program is focused on collaborative work with provincial, territorial, Indigenous and other conservation partners to develop and meet Canada’s biodiversity commitments and obligations and to influence international policy related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Program officials also participate in policy development to support modern treaty negotiations with Indigenous Peoples to ensure conservation needs and the reconciliation agenda are met. As part of this work, ECCC leads in the negotiation and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other conventions, including on resource mobilization and biodiversity financing. This work aims to ensure adequate financing for biodiversity policy in order to achieve the goals and targets under the SDGs that relate to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The Species at Risk Program aims to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, while providing for both the recovery of wildlife species and managing species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. Independent actions on single species are complemented with strategic multi-species and ecosystems-based actions – focused on a set of shared priority places, species, and sectors with provinces and territories across Canada – through the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada.
The Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife Program contributes to maintaining healthy populations of migratory birds and other wildlife by reducing threats to populations and by conserving, protecting and enhancing priority habitats.
The Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife Program works to conserve and protect the natural environment through compliance promotion and apply a risk-based approach to enforce the Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, Antarctic Environmental Protection Act and Canada Wildlife Act.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. |
The International Climate Change Action Program leads Canada’s efforts in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement processes with a focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It also provides leadership and expertise, and advances Canada’s priorities in other international fora. In addition, the Program helps developing countries transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate–resilient, nature-positive and inclusive development through the delivery of Canada’s international climate finance commitments. Climate and environment-related finance is also provided to international climate and environmental organizations, and domestic organizations working internationally, that are working to advance global climate change action. The Program co-leads the negotiation of environmental commitments in Canada’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) including the promotion of substantive climate change provisions. The program is also responsible for the implementation of environmental provisions in FTAs and environmental cooperation instruments, as well as promoting the adoption of Canadian cleantech solutions globally to advance climate action.
The Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships Program is focused on collaborative work with provincial, territorial, Indigenous and other conservation partners to develop and meet Canada’s biodiversity commitments and obligations and to influence international policy related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Program officials also participate in policy development to support modern treaty negotiations with Indigenous Peoples to ensure conservation needs and the reconciliation agenda are met. . As part of this work, ECCC leads in the negotiation and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other conventions, including on resource mobilization and biodiversity financing. This work aims to ensure adequate financing for biodiversity policy in order to achieve the goals and targets under the SDGs that relate to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity.
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These ECCC programs contribute to advancing: Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:
Global targets:
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For more information on actions that contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, please consult ECCC’s 2023-24 Departmental Plan and 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.