Infrastructure Canada's 2021-22 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
Infrastructure Canada's 2021-22 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
Aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Rapport sur la Stratégie ministérielle de développement durable 2021-2022
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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Infrastructure and Communities, 2022.
Cat. No. T91-8E-PDF (Electronic PDF, English)
ISSN 2564-2693
This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) to make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole of government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.
The departmental information reported accounts for information previously prepared in accordance with Infrastructure Canada's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
This report details Infrastructure Canada individual departmental actions that support the targets and/or goals of the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). For information on the Government of Canada’s overall progress on the targets of the FSDS, please see the FSDS Progress Report, which, per the requirements of the strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act, is released at least once in each three year period.
1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy ( FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. Infrastructure Canada adheres to the principles of the FSDS, and while Infrastructure Canada completed a 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy on a voluntary basis, it has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
2. Sustainable development in Infrastructure Canada
Infrastructure Canada’s 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes the department’s actions in support of achieving Greening Government, Modern and Resilient Infrastructure, and Effective Action on Climate Change. This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Previous years’ reports are posted on Infrastructure Canada’s website Publications.
This report details Infrastructure Canada individual departmental actions that support the targets and/or goals of the 2019 to 2022 FSDS. For information on the Government of Canada’s overall progress on the targets of the FSDS, please see the FSDS Progress Report, which, per the requirements of the strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act, is released at least once in each three year period.
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.
Context: Greening Government
- The department has demonstrated its commitments to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations through
- Ensuring its entire fleet is made up of 50% Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV)
- Ensuring Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) training has been completed by 100% of specialists in procurement
- Emphasizing support for green procurement at a managerial level
- Reducing its need for paper by performing daily tasks with electronic alternatives
Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and green operations.
FSDS target(s) |
FSDS contributing action(s) |
Corresponding departmental |
Starting point(s) |
Results achieved |
Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030 |
Fleet management will be optimized by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced |
Modernize our fleet to ensure that its size is commensurate with the Department's operational needs. Reduce the Department's carbon footprint by maintaining a fleet of only zero-emission or plug-in hybrids vehicles. |
Starting point: Indicator: Target: |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By using ZEV for its fleet the department demonstrates its commitment to incorporating environmental criteria into its fleet management decisions. It allows INFC to reduce its GHG emissions from its operations. UN SDG 13 |
Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target] |
Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees |
Ensure that key officials have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. Ensure that procurement specialists have completed the mandatory training from the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement, and integrated environmental considerations into procurement practices. |
Starting Point: Indicator: Target: |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By ensuring our specialists in procurement and/or material management complete the CSPS training on green procurement, the department is demonstrating its commitment to incorporating environmental considerations into its planning and decision making process. UN SDG 13 |
Ensure that key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance management evaluations. Ensure that managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management have included support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their annual performance management evaluations
|
Starting point: Indicator: Target: |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By ensuring our manager in procurement and material management’s PMA includes support and contribution towards green procurement, the Department is demonstrating its commitment to incorporating environmental considerations into its planning and decision making process. UN SDG 13 |
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Ensure that the Department is reducing its consumption of paper for printing and photocopying.
|
Starting point: Indicator: Target: 5% reduction by March 31, 2021 |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By ensuring a reduction of its consumption of paper for printing and photocopying, the department is demonstrating its commitment to incorporating environmental considerations into its planning and decision making process.
UN SDG 13 |
Context: Modern and Resilient Infrastructure
- Green infrastructure investments have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) across various sectors and can drive innovation and growth by increasing technology development and adoption. The choices we make today to create a modern and resilient infrastructure will ensure a healthy environment which, in turn, supports a low-carbon economy.
- Natural disasters related to climate change are increasing in frequency and severity. Infrastructure Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities, Indigenous groups, and other stakeholders to help reduce GHG emissions, to avoid the worst impacts of future climate change, while also helping to improve climate resilience and environmental quality. The Department provides funding for infrastructure designed for improved climate outcomes, including innovative nature-based solutions that enhance the resilience of Canadian communities while continuing to safely provide essential services.
- Infrastructure Canada is requiring Climate Lens Assessments, as a horizontal requirement, applicable to the following programs: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) and Smart Cities Challenge. It has two components: the GHG mitigation assessment, which measures the anticipated GHG emissions impact of an infrastructure project, and the climate change resilience assessment, which employs a risk management approach to anticipate, prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover and adapt from climate change related disruptions or impacts. By taking into account the effects of climate change in infrastructure development, communities will be better prepared to adapt, mitigate, respond to, and recover from extreme weather events.
- For programs that fall within the Department's mandate, listed above, it is required that federally funded infrastructure projects incorporate considerations linked to climate impacts in their design. Of note, while some activities or initiatives are aligned with our mandate, they may fall under other federal organizations in supporting low-carbon and resilient infrastructure.
- Infrastructure Canada also launched the Green and Inclusive Communities Buildings (GICB) program and the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) in 2021-22. Moving forward, these programs will contribute to Infrastructure Canada’s green infrastructure investments that benefit Canadians by limiting GHG emissions and improving climate change resilience.
Modern and Resilient Infrastructure: Modern, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure supports clean economic growth and social inclusion
FSDS target(s) |
FSDS contributing action(s) |
Corresponding departmental |
Starting point(s) |
Results achieved |
Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
By the end of 2027-28 fiscal year, invest $26.9 billion in funding for green infrastructure initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environment quality |
Work with partners on green infrastructure |
Amended Integrated Bilateral Agreements with the Provinces and Territories to temporarily expand eligibility under 3 of 4 original streams to continue delivering the Investing in Canada Plan in response to pandemic. Two of the changes are targeting green infrastructure: TRANSIT & GREEN: Pathways and active transportation infrastructure |
Starting points: Performance indicators: Target: |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By investing in green infrastructure initiatives, the department continues to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 11: percentage of the population living within 500 meters of a public transit stop UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 13 Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning |
Starting points: Performance indicators: National target Footnote 1 |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By investing in green infrastructure initiatives, the department continues to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 11: percentage of the population living within 500 meters of a public transit stop UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 13 Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. |
|||
Provide funding for large-scale infrastructure projects supporting mitigation of natural disasters and extreme weather events and strengthened climate resilience. |
Starting point: Performance indicator: Target: |
Result as of March 31, 2022: Cumulative Results for 2019-22: 8.9% |
By providing funding for large-scale infrastructure projects supporting mitigation of natural disasters and extreme weather events and strengthened climate resilience, the Department will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 13 Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. |
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Ensure that communities have more reliable water and wastewater systems so that both drinking water and effluent meet legislated standards. |
Starting points:
Performance indicator:
|
Result as of March 31, 2022: Cumulative Results for 2019-22: 2,242 Result as of March 31, 2022: Cumulative Results for 2019-22: 22.9% Based on the number of unique municipalities* with a completed project Result as of March 31, 2022: Cumulative Results for 2019-22: 20.9% Based on the number of unique municipalities* with a completed project |
By ensuring that communities have more reliable water and wastewater systems the department will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 13 Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning |
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Support communities with the development and implementation of asset management practices that support evidence-based decision-making |
Starting point: Performance indicators:
|
Result as of March 31, 2022: Result as of March 31, 2022: Based on the number of unique municipalities* with a completed project The Federation of Canadian Municipalities' will report on final results once their programs have been completed (Municipal Asset Management Program or MAMP: FY 2024-25; and Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program or MCIP: FY 2022-23) |
By supporting communities with the development and implementation of asset management practices that support evidence-based decision-making, the department will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 13 Climate Action |
||
Support municipalities as they prepare for and adapt to climate change, and as they reduce GHG emissions. |
Starting point:
Performance indicators:
|
Result as of March 31, 2022: Result as of March 31, 2022: Result as of March 31, 2022: |
By supporting municipalities as they prepare for and adapt to climate change, and as they reduce GHG emissions, the department will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environmental quality. UN SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation UN SDG 13 Climate Action Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. |
Context: Effective Action on Climate Change
Effective Action on Climate Change: A low-carbon economy contributes to limiting global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius and supports efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius
FSDS target(s) |
FSDS contributing action(s) |
Corresponding departmental |
Starting point(s) |
Results achieved |
Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
By 2030, reduce Canada’s total GHG emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels |
Develop a solid base of scientific research and analysis on climate change |
Research and Knowledge Initiative (RKI) Support projects in research, knowledge-sharing, collaborations and partnerships to deepen understanding of infrastructure needs, challenges, and opportunities relevant to Canadians. |
Starting Point Indicator: Target: TBD, to be shared by March 31, 2024 |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
We are aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience and environmental quality through continuing to support all kinds of projects to better understand infrastructure needs and challenges pursuant to Canadians. UN SDG4: Publicize research, knowledge and data for sustainable development Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. |
Research and Knowledge Initiative (RKI) Enhanced evidence base and strengthened knowledge on infrastructure and communities contribute to robust policies and strategic decision-making that support long-term economic growth, a low carbon and green economy, and inclusive communities |
Starting Point Indicator: Target: TBD, to be shared by March 31, 2024 |
Result as of March 31, 2022: |
We are aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience and environmental quality through continuing to contribute to robust policies and strategic decision-making that supports long-term economic growth, and a low carbon and green economy. We are doing all this by strengthened and evidence-based knowledge on infrastructure and communities. UN SDG4: Publicize research, knowledge and data for sustainable development |
4. Report on integrating sustainable development
Infrastructure Canada 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.
During the 2021–22 reporting cycle, Infrastructure Canada conducted one preliminary scan to support a Cabinet decision. No public statement was required.
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