Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2016–2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS):
- sets out the Government of Canada's sustainable development priorities
- establishes goals and targets
- identifies actions to achieve them, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act
In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports reporting on the implementation of the FSDS and its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, or equivalent document, through the activities described in this supplementary information table.
2. Sustainable development in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for 2017 to 2020 describes the department's actions in support of achieving the following goals:
- Effective Action on Climate Change;
- Sustainable Food;
- Safe and Healthy Communities; and
- Low-Carbon Government.
This supplementary information table presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Last year's supplementary information table is posted on the department's website. This year, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also noting which United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target each departmental action contributes to achieving.
3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal
The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in Section 2. Where applicable, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's targets and performance indicators have been updated from what appeared in the 2018–19 Departmental Plan, to reflect the implementation of the Canadian Agricutural Partnership, the five-year (2018–2023) policy framework that began in the 2018–19 fiscal year. Previous indicators and targets had been established under the Growing Forward 2 agricultural policy framework (2013–2018).
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and target | Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels | Conduct climate policy research and analysis | Implement the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program, which will
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SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Performance indicator 1: The number of newly developed technologies and beneficial management practices demonstrated through field days and workshops under the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program from 2016 to 2021. Target 1: 50 by March 31, 2021. (Note: It is expected that most of the newly developed technologies and beneficial management practice demonstrations will occur in the later part of the program, as several years of research are needed before reaching the demonstration phase.) |
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| By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels | Develop a solid base of scientific research and analysis on climate change | Conduct targeted research to increase knowledge of climate change relative to agriculture. | Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership policy framework, performance indicators and targets were established for the programming supporting departmental actions, as follows: Performance indicator 1: The number of scientific articles accepted for publication through an external peer-reviewed process. Target 1: 1,200 articles related to climate change by March 31, 2023 Performance indicator 2: The number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Target 2: Within a range from 31 to 41 for 2018–19, and within 194 to 228 for the overall framework (2018–2023). (Note: Performance indicator 1 was also in place under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework; performance indicator 2 and targets 1 and 2 were established under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.) |
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| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target | Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ensure safe and accessible food supply by mitigating risks to animal and plant resources from pests, diseases and other health hazards and prevent risks to the health of Canadians | Promote innovation and sustainable practices | Build the capacity of Canada's agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector to promote innovation and encourage adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at farm and regional levels by working with provinces and territories. For example, work to increase the number of beneficial management practices implemented to 17,600 by March 31, 2019, through cost-shared programming under the Growing Forward 2 framework (2013–2018). Provide cost-shared funding to provinces and territories that provide a systematic approach to farmers to assess priority environmental risks, plan effective mitigation, and increase adoption of sustainable agricultural practices at farm and regional levels. |
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality |
Under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework, a performance indicator and target were established for the federal, provincial and territorial cost-shared programming supporting departmental actions, as follows: Performance indicator 1: the cumulative number of beneficial management practices implemented. Target 1: 17,600 as of March 31, 2019 Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership policy framework, updated performance targets and indicators were established for federal, provincial and cost-shared programming supporting departmental actions, as follows: Performance indicator 2: The number of on-farm beneficial management practices projects completed. Target 2: Within a range from 2,829 to 3,860 for 2018–19, and within 17,286 to 23,220 for the overall framework (2018–2023). Performance indicator 3: The number of agri-food processor beneficial management practices projects completed. Target 3: Within a range from 13 to 23 for 2018–19, and within 69 to 113 for the overall framework (2018–2023). |
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| By 2030, agricultural working landscapes provide a stable or improved level of biodiversity and efficient management towards water and soil quality for food production | Increase knowledge of sustainable agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture | Assess and report on the collective environmental impact of the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices by farmers on the Canadian landscape. Conduct targeted research to increase knowledge of climate change relative to agriculture. Conduct targeted research to increase knowledge of agriculture's impact on water resources and enhance knowledge of nutrient management to increase efficiency and lower the potential of contamination of water resources. Other targeted research areas are currently being considered for reporting under the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. |
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. |
Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership policy framework, updated performance indicators and targets were established for federal, provincial and cost-shared programming supporting departmental actions, as follows: Performance indicator 1: Ensure agri-environmental indicators are available to assess by reporting on the environmental sustainability of the Canadian agriculture sector. Target 1: Reporting on the environmental sustainability of the Canadian agriculture sector takes place within four years of the Canadian Census of Agriculture release, which includes detailed metrics related to nutrient management, air quality, water quality, and soil quality. Performance indicator 2: The number of scientific articles accepted for publication through an external peer-reviewed process. Target 2: Different targets for each research area are to be achieved by March 31, 2023, including the following numbers of articles:
(Note: Performance indicator and target 1, as well as performance indicator 2, were also in place under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework; target 2 was established under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.) |
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| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target | Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Implement the Air Quality Management System to: Increase the percentage of the Canadian population living in areas where measured outdoor concentrations are below the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter and ozone compared to the year 2000 |
The 2017–2020 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (tabled October 2017) referenced that the Department does not contribute directly to an indicator in this area, but that as part of its work on sustainable agricultural production, research is conducted to increase knowledge of the effects of agricultural production on air. The Department has now identified the need to increase the knowledge of the effects of climate change on agriculture under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Once specific research priorities and programs are finalized, future Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies will be updated accordingly. |
Not applicable | |||
| 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 | Complete remedial activity by 2019–20 at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 4 contaminated sites classified as a highest priority site under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan. | SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Starting points
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1./2. Remediation activities were completed at six Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan eligible contaminated sites (two additional eligible sites were identified) over the past two years – fiscal years 2017–18 and 2018–19. |
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target | Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025 | Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations* | Undertake building energy efficiency feasibility studies at candidate facilities with greenhouse gas reduction potential Undertake heating, ventilation and air conditioning building automation optimization retrofit projects for laboratory and office complexes Procure 35% green electricity from renewable energy sources in Alberta Undertake employee awareness of energy conservation initiatives |
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Starting points
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Actions taken include
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| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025 | Modernize our fleet* | Reduce carbon intensity through vehicle purchase and replacement, for example electric vehicles, hybrids, more fuel efficient vehicles Right Size the fleet Utilize fuel efficient vehicles Promote behavior change – for example, anti-idling campaigns, driver training, increased pooling of vehicles Develop fleet infrastructure to support alternative fuels, for example, electric vehicle charging stations |
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Starting points
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Actions taken include
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| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025 | Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement | Continue to incorporate environmental considerations into the Procurement Review Board's decision making for 70% of the procurement files for applicable commodities it reviews as part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's key management procurement process Train procurement and materiel management specialists on green procurement, using the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations Maintain target that 95% of copy paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production Continue the requirement that 100% of all new contracts that include janitorial services will include the use of janitorial products that minimize the environmental impact Leverage common use procurement instruments that incorporate environmental considerations where available and feasible |
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Performance indicators
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| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025 | Promote sustainable travel practices | Maintain level of greenhouse gas emissions from departmental business-related travel (scoped to air travel only) to at least a 35% reduction until 2020–21 relative to 2005–06 | SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production | Starting points
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4. Report on integrating sustainable development
Achieving a sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector is a process of continuous improvement in the responsible use and management of agricultural resources along all points of the value chain, including producers, processors, and retailers. Sustainable agriculture contributes to sector profitability by safeguarding the land's productive capacity now and into the future, and by reducing operating costs through increased efficiencies. It also enhances the reputation of the sector and producers as good stewards of the land, and helps to maintain access to existing markets and open new markets, creating opportunities for growth. These outcomes are integral to the sustainability and competitiveness of the Canadian agriculture sector and support its important contribution to Canada's economy.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada invests in a more sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector by supporting innovation and on-farm action. This includes, for example, supporting the completion of on-farm environmental risk assessments and providing incentives to producers for the implementation of beneficial management practices. Since jurisdiction over agriculture in Canada is shared with provincial and territorial governments, on-farm programs are based on partnerships and cost-shared between both levels of government and delivered by provincial or territorial agencies.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada also conducts and supports research and development activities that contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector. This includes, for example, improving resource and input use efficiency (land, water, and nutrients) by developing beneficial management practices and precision agriculture technologies (e.g., variable rate irrigation, robotic feeding systems). Department-led innovation and programming plays a significant role in addressing water, soil conservation, and biodiversity issues, and in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the sector. Some investments contribute to broader clean growth objectives by providing solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to other sectors; for example, utilizing agricultural biomass to produce electricity or fuels.
During the 2018–19 reporting cycle, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. The Department systematically applies Strategic Environmental Assessment to strategic proposals submitted to the Minister or Cabinet for approval that may result in important environmental effects, either positive or negative. The process generally comprises three steps, applied progressively as warranted, as follows:
- Initial review – a review to determine whether there is any potential for environmental effects associated with the proposal or whether a previously conducted assessment still applies;
- Preliminary scan – an assessment to determine whether important environmental effects, either positive or negative, would result from the implementation of the proposal; and
- Detailed strategic environmental assessment – a more detailed analysis of environmental effects, including mitigation measures that could reduce or eliminate potential adverse effects or enhance potential environmental benefits.
Preliminary Scans and Detailed Strategic Environmental Assessments for policy, plan or program proposals include an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on the FSDS goals and targets. The results of departmental detailed assessments are made public for initiatives that are approved or announced. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects of the approved policy, plan or program, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, have been appropriately considered during proposal development and decision making.
During 2018–19, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada achieved its Strategic Environmental Assessment commitments, including:
- Maintained a database to track and facilitate reporting on Strategic Environmental Assessments.
- Evaluated the impacts of strategic proposals submitted to the Minister or Cabinet, on the 2016–19 FSDS goals and targets. The Department's proposals can have direct and indirect linkages to a broad range of goals and targets under the FSDS. For example, activities under the Food Policy for Canada, such as increasing agricultural production in northern and remote communities, and improving food access, contributes to the Sustainable Food goal of the FSDS.
- Piloted a new training package for early career policy analysts, that provided information and guidance on the Department’s approach to implementing Strategic Environmental Assessments in policy development.
Out of the 19 initial reviews completed, 14 proposals were considered to be special cases in that they had been previously assessed; 5 proposals required a preliminary scan level assessment, and one proposal warranted the completion of a detailed strategic environmental assessment. The public statement is published on the Department's website.
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