Consultation Paper "Canada and the 14th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD): Issues and Ideas"
Introduction
This paper offers information to groups and individuals taking part in the Government of Canada's
consultations in preparation for the 14th session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD-14) in New York, 1-12 May 2006. Its purpose is to:
- explain the new process for CSD work that was introduced two years ago
- provide some international context for the themes under discussion at CSD-14 (energy for sustainable
development; industrial development; air pollution/atmosphere; and climate change)
- broadly describe the Government of Canada's approach to involvement in CSD-14
- present major facts and considerations relating to CSD-14 themes, and
- provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations to comment on Canada's position and
priorities heading into CSD-14.
Participants are encouraged to highlight what they believe Canada's top priorities should be, and/or to note
important aspects they feel are missing from this paper. Some questions to stimulate thinking are attached
in Annex 1.
This national consultation process is complemented by the CSD's own process for the participation of
Major Groups. Since its beginning, the CSD has been innovative in engaging Major Groups in its work as
part of its commitment to broad-based participation of civil society in sustainable development.
Representatives of Major Groups are developing their own contributions for CSD-14 discussions, a
process that is open to representatives of Canadian civil society. Further details can be found at the CSD
website
The CSD Process and Focus of CSD-14
The CSD has been the international focal point for the consideration of sustainable development progress
and challenges since its inception at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, which gave rise to Agenda 21. The development of
increasingly concrete targets by the international community after Rio through such vehicles as the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPoI, formulated
at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development) led the CSD to restructure the way it works to
improve its effectiveness.
Since 2004, CSD work has been based on a two-year cycle. The first year of each cycle is a "review
year," during which delegates review and discuss progress made in achieving the targets, goals, and
timetables of Agenda 21, the MDGs, the JPoI, and previous CSD sessions. Delegates will also consider
operational experience on the issues, such as best practices, lessons learned, and gaps. The goal is to
explore the issues and initiatives to date, as well as the challenges to be met through practical solutions.
Building on that base, the second year of each cycle is the "policy year." During the policy year, CSD
delegates seek to identify the best options for addressing the most important gaps and challenges. CSD-14
(2006) is the review year and CSD-15 (2007) the policy year of the second cycle under the new work
structure. This structural innovation was designed to make CSD activities and decisions as effective as
possible in hastening global progress toward internationally agreed targets and priorities for sustainable
development.
Key to the new structure is the focus of CSD work on a "thematic cluster" of related topics for each
two-year period. The thematic cluster for CSD-14 and CSD-15 comprises four themes: Energy for
sustainable development; Industrial Development; Air Pollution/Atmosphere; and Climate Change.
Discussions will also attend to a range of cross-cutting issues relevant to all clusters in all years.
CSD-14 Themes in Context
The International Context(1)
Theme 1: Energy for sustainable development
The achievement of sustainable development goals pivots on the continuing availability and accessibility of
affordable, clean energy sources. A major opportunity exists to develop such sources locally, given that
two billion people in today's world have no access to modern energy services and that developing
countries' growing demand for fossil fuels is straining the global system. At the same time, there are many
questions about the sustainability of current levels of energy production and consumption in developed
countries. New energy practices are needed that are consistent with the aims of conserving resources and
protecting human health, the atmosphere, and the natural environment. In this global context, how can the
need to reduce per-capita energy consumption in some parts of the world be reconciled with the equally
important need to improve access to energy services in others?
Energy was a major theme of CSD-9 in 2001, at which it was agreed that greater effort should be directed
toward developing, using, and transferring cleaner, more efficient technologies, and to expanding the use of
alternative energy sources. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation called for action to: improve access
to energy services; recognize the contribution of energy services to the eradication of poverty and
improvement in living standards; diversify the energy mix to increase the share of renewable energy and
capitalize on improved energy technologies; promote energy efficiency and energy conservation measures;
and take action to phase out subsidies that inhibit sustainable development.
Theme 2: Industrial Development
The United Nations General Assembly Special Assembly in 1997 asked the CSD to feature one economic
sector each year. Industry was the focus in 1998, as it is again this year. Industry has a key role to play in
achieving goals in all three areas of sustainable development. It supports economic development through its
contribution to economic growth, influence on the structure of economies, and production of goods and
services. Environment-based opportunities are opening up to industry at the same time that industrial
development is challenged by environmental constraints. While industry bears virtually sole responsibility
for the cost of mitigating the environmental effects of industrial processes, the benefits are spread
throughout society. Thus, governments and citizens are pressuring industry in the direction of exploring and
exploiting improved and innovative technologies. Industry is a major user of energy and a prime player in
actions to reduce air pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change. It is also a key component of
social development, providing employment and alleviating poverty, doing business in the context of
communities, directly and indirectly funding social development programs, operating as a prime driver of
"modernization," and doing its part to integrate women and youth into the economy.
Theme 3: Air Pollution/Atmosphere
Chapter 9 of Agenda 21 identified the importance of protecting the atmosphere, a goal supported by
several international agreements, such as the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
Layer, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and the 1992 United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Protection of the atmosphere and mitigation of air
pollution are imperatives that involve a broad range of economic sectors and must be pursued in light of
social and economic needs, particularly in developing countries where sustained economic growth and
eradication of poverty are prime concerns. Four program areas requiring particular international attention
are: improving the scientific basis for addressing uncertainties; preventing stratospheric ozone depletion;
mitigating trans-boundary atmospheric pollution; and promoting sustainable development with particular
reference to energy development, energy efficiency, energy consumption, transportation, and industrial
development, all topics that come together under CSD-14.
Theme 4: Climate change
Most experts agree that climate is changing, globally and regionally. In its Third Assessment Report the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that most of the warming that has occurred over
the past 50 years is the result of human activity. Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
recognize the United Nations Convention on Climate Change as the key instrument for addressing climate
change, and the Kyoto Protocol has created a multilateral approach to tackling this issue. Climate change
has been included in CSD-14 because the impacts of climate change can thwart progress toward
sustainable development, and development paths, patterns of production and consumption, and the
growing demand for energy all affect the climatic system.
The Canadian Approach
Canada has always played an active role in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, and
supports CSD objectives for sustainable development. Canada has a great deal of practical experience
and expertise to bring to the discussion at CSD-14, creating the need for a focussed approach. This focus
will be achieved by presenting Canada's perspective in three "areas of engagement": Development;
Government Policy Responses at the National and International Levels; and Science, Technology, and
Expertise.
The following sections highlight Canada's position and experience, particularly key federal initiatives, in
each area, but do not provide an exhaustive list. We have also provided web links where more detailed
descriptions of programs and initiatives can be found. Given the strong linkage among CSD-14's four
themes, particularly related to the role of energy, initiatives that fall under one theme often fit equally well
under another theme, but effort has been made to avoid duplication.
Development
Canada's International Policy Statement promotes "development that is sustainable in economic, social
and environmental terms" and states that development policy and programs must "recognize and promote
sustainable solutions to address the critical linkages between environmental degradation, poverty and social
inequity."(2) Canada carries out development activities in the areas of energy, industrial development, air
pollution/atmosphere, and climate change through the work of the Canadian International Development
Agency and the International Development Research Centre in conjunction with other Canadian
government departments and agencies.
Theme 1: Energy
Canada's Position
Canada's wealth of energy-related experience and expertise, including sustainable development and
responsible end-use, balance across supply, conversion, end-use, and diversified supply (fossil, renewable,
and nuclear), can benefit resource managers worldwide. The Government of Canada demonstrates its
leadership internationally by sharing its state-of-the-art knowledge and transferring technology globally.
Canada participates in a wide range of regional and international organizations and fora involved in
addressing issues of energy and sustainable development. The Government of Canada continues to
participate in the United Nations annual meetings, as well as a number of UN-supported conferences
(Bonn 2004, Beijing 2005) to address, on a global scale, barriers and challenges to the implementation of
sustainable development in the energy sector. Other organizations for multilateral cooperation, such as the
International Energy Agency (IEA), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working
Group, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development's Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD-NEA), work to forge a common understanding of
policy challenges and response options related to energy. In addition, as a member of the G8, Canada has
brought its expertise to bear on G8 climate change discussion under the UK presidency at Gleneagles and
will address energy security issues with G8 colleagues under the Russian Presidency in St. Petersburg in
July 2006.
Canada engages in the export of energy-related technology and the promotion of technology transfer
through the work of Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, and Export
Development Canada, and forges strategic partnerships with industry associations, non-governmental
organizations, and other key stakeholders. Canada also engages in international development assistance,
primarily through the Canadian International Development Agency, the World Bank, other regional
development banks, and the Global Environment Facility. Related to energy in development, Canada
advocates:
- maintaining a balanced suite of technologies and underlying policies in support of sustainable
energy development, particularly in developing countries
- creating an enabling environment and strengthening institutions that deal with energy, to encourage
transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence
- strengthening the capacity of institutions to regulate, monitor, and enforce energy sector activities in
accordance with legislation
- ensuring access to clean energy services by the poor
- promoting renewable energy, clean energy technologies, and energy efficiency, as well as the
underlying policies to create favourable enabling environments to attract both public- and private-sector investment in the sustainable energy infrastructure of developing countries
- ensuring energy security for developing countries, especially those with fast-developing economies.
Canada's Experience
Energy access: Canada supports international and regional efforts to improve universal access to energy as
an integral part of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Governments need to foster the early
adoption of energy efficient and clean energy technologies, since energy infrastructure and equipment can
affect patterns of energy production and use for many years, even decades. Canada's experience shows
that access to energy in developing countries is best facilitated by the creation of enabling environments,
with a focus on issues related to policy, regulation, technical aspects, and financing. Canada also supports
energy infrastructure projects in partner countries, such as a rural electrification project in Haiti and
renewable energy projects (solar and small hydro) in China. Among other benefits, these projects have:
extended educational opportunities by bringing lighting to schools and libraries; improved health services
by providing energy for medical and surgical equipment and refrigeration of vaccines; enhanced agricultural
production and nutrition by enabling irrigation; secured water supplies by introducing motorized pumps;
improved indoor air quality through the elimination of biomass combustion; and extended working hours
and opened up new economic opportunities, especially for women.
Demand reduction, energy efficiency, clean technologies, renewable energy: Canada works with partner
countries to reduce their energy needs by promoting demand-side management and introducing energy
efficient technologies. For example, Canada's rural electrification projects enable people to use efficient
and pollution-free cookstoves and other electrical equipment, reducing the dependence on wood as fuel.
Canada has: promoted CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) and efficient pumps and motors in Egypt and
China; introduced clean, efficient stoves in Brazil; and supported CNG (compressed natural gas) feasibility
studies and pricing schemes in Bolivia and Peru.
Energy security in developing countries with fast-developing economies: Energy security is critical for
developing countries with fast-developing economies, particularly in southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific.
Measures are needed to: reduce Asian dependence on fossil fuel (such as China's and India's heavy
dependence on coal); promote development of cleaner, diversified energy sources; and incorporate
technologies, methods, and practices that mitigate the environmental impact of the region's energy sources.
Canadian technologies in the field of exploration, oil and gas sector management and restructuring,
utilization of alternative energy resources, and capacity building for carbon management (sequestration,
capture, storage, clean coal technologies and the use of computational fluid dynamic modelling for the
power generation industry) could be used successfully in the region to improve energy security, generate
economic growth, and meet environmental and social needs. These measures also have important
implications for efforts to mitigate climate change in the regions with the fastest growing greenhouse gas
emissions.
Theme 2: Industrial Development
Canada's Position
Canada recognizes the importance of industrial development in poverty eradication and improvements in
the standard of living in developing countries. Continued support for sustainable industrial development
should centre on:
- supporting the sustainable development of indigenous natural resources
- emphasizing community-based approaches to industrial development, stakeholder integration, and
gender equity
- promoting energy efficient policies
- advancing adoption of environmental supply chain management tools for small and medium
businesses and
- promoting innovative manufacturing processes by industry.
Canada's Experience
Enabling environment: Canada supports better business climates by promoting policy, regulatory, and legal
reforms, public-private dialogue, and the exercise of corporate social responsibility with partner countries.
This work strengthens institutions dealing with energy and creates enabling environments supportive of
industrial development.
Supply chain management: Canada offers experience with environmental supply chain management to
eliminate or mitigate negative aspects of the production and use of certain products. Environmental benefits
derive from such measures as reducing energy use, reducing or reusing packaging, changing raw materials
or fuels, controlling or reducing outputs harmful outputs, offering environmental training for employees,
finding innovative uses for waste materials, and changing handling practices. For example, Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) is a data collection technology that stores and reads product identification
electronically, changing the way goods are produced, shipped, marketed, and sold. Interest in this
technology is particularly high in the manufacturing, transportation, wholesale, and retail sectors.
High-performance manufacturing: Canada's experience with high-performance manufacturing can be
tapped to help manufacturers in developing countries. The "Canadian Resource Guide to High
Performance Manufacturing" provides information for Canadian manufacturers and service companies on
lean manufacturing, six sigma, just-in-time (JIT), total quality management (TQM), value stream mapping
(VSM), Theory of Constraint, Kaizen, and many other technologies for process improvement.
(
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incrghpm-gcrpfhp.nsf/en/h_at00000e.html)
International Model Forest Network: Canada supports the International Model Forest Network, which
encompasses all aspects of sustainable development. Many model forests revolve around developing
and/or strengthening small- and medium-sized enterprises within the resource sector, strengthening the
local economy and key forest-based industries.
(
http://www.modelforest.net/cmfn/en/about/international/default.aspx)
Cooperation with indigenous peoples: Canada has worked with the oil and gas sectors in parts of South
America, helping them to develop social guidelines and to relate harmoniously to communities and
governments through dialogue and integration of a social dimensions into their projects. Through projects
such as the OLADE Sustainable Energy Project and the ARPEL regional project, Canada has worked to:
foster a better understanding of industrial development among indigenous peoples; improve mechanisms
for including indigenous peoples, especially women, in industry development plans; provide mechanisms
for resolution of conflict between industry and indigenous peoples; and promote more equitable distribution
of the benefits of industrial development among all stakeholders.
Theme 3: Air Pollution/Atmosphere
Canada's Position
Pollutants from transportation, energy production, industry, and residential activities enter the atmosphere
and are carried long distances, across borders, and even around the world. Transboundary movement of
pollutants makes air quality a truly global concern requiring long-term coordination and cooperation
internationally, particularly with developing countries which are key sources of atmospheric pollutants for
Canada.
Canada works multilaterally through the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Bank by providing funding for
environmental programs and research and by sharing knowledge and experience. Canada participates in
international and bilateral conferences and workshops which provide countries with the opportunity to
exchange ideas, learn about new policy tools and technology, and develop partnerships.
Canada's Experience
Ozone-depleting substances: The Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer, based in Montreal, has set a solid governance regime for the management of billions of
dollars in aid projects targeting the phase-out of the consumption and production of ozone-depleting
substances (ODS). Canada played a key role in creating the fund, is currently a member of its management
board and a regular contributor to the fund, and undertakes bilateral projects under the fund to assist
developing countries in phasing out their use of ozone-depleting substances. For example, Canada has
collaborated with Australia to establish a recovery and recycling centre for halon, a potent ODS, in India,
allowing India to gradually eliminate its need to produce and import halons.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): In 2000, Canada established the five-year Persistent Organic
Pollutants Fund to build capacity in developing countries and countries with economies in transition for
addressing POP problems. The World Bank administers the overall fund and, with the United Nations
Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), dispenses funds for
POPs projects based on criteria agreed to by Canada.
Strategic bilateral relationships: Canada maintains bilateral relationships with other nations to cooperate on
air issues. For example, Canada: works with India to strengthen its institutional capacity to analyse,
monitor, and control air emissions; supports vehicle emissions testing in Latin America; cooperates in the
Clean Air Initiative in Latin American cities; provides expert services to demonstrate the air quality benefits
of mandated vehicle conversion in Bangladesh; and has a Memorandum of Understanding with China that
includes air pollution activity as a priority.
Theme 4: Climate Change
Canada's Position
The impacts of climate change and adaptation to those affected can pose a significant challenge for
developing countries. As modern energy services become available and energy demand grows,
greenhouse gas emissions will increase, with further implications for the Earth's climate. For these reasons,
integrating climate change considerations into development decisions is essential. Canada works in a large
number of fora, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to
advance this position and build capacity in developing countries to inform decision making and address
climate change.
Canada's Experience
Building Capacity in Developing Countries: Canada has participated in the creation of three funds under
the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol designed to assist developing countries with building capacity to both
mitigate and adapt to climate change. These funds are: The Least Developed Country (LDC) Fund,
focussed on adaptation and capacity building in least developed countries; the Special Climate Change
Fund, focussed on the four areas of adaptation, technology transfer, economic diversification, and
mitigation measures in five sectors (energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry, and waste
management); and the Kyoto Adaptation Fund.
Adaptation: As a party to the UNFCCC, Canada agreed to a five-year Programme of Work on
Adaptation (PWA) at the eleventh conference of the parties (COP11) in 2005. This program assists
countries in better adapting to climate change through activities such as sharing assessment methodologies
and tools, improving the dissemination of information and observational data, and promoting research on
adaptation technologies.
Canadian Climate Change Development Fund: This fund, established in 2000, has provided more than
$100 million to assist developing countries in responding to climate change by addressing vulnerability
through adaptation, reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions, and building capacity for
engagement in the global climate change regime. Canada's broader development programming in the areas
of energy, agriculture, industry, forestry, etc. complement and support local, national, and international
efforts to combat climate change.(
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/0/786C54DA98C01B4F85256D7C0063C1DC?OpenDocument)
Integrating Climate Change into Development: At COP11, Canada also supported the creation of a
Dialogue on Long-term Cooperation Action to Address Climate Change, one focus of which is the
advancement of development goals in a sustainable manner. In addition, Canada has joined other G8
leaders in signing on to the Gleneagles Action Plan on Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Sustainable
Development, which, among other things, calls on the World Bank to take a leadership role in creating a
new investment and financing framework for clean energy and development.
Government Policy Responses at the National and International
Levels
Good governance is required for sound decision-making for sustainable development, including that related
to energy, industry, air pollution/atmosphere, and climate change. By fostering the transparency,
accountability, and stability that public and private investors need, good governance helps to promote
economic and social development and plays an important role in poverty reduction. It ensures that
institutions that set policies, establish regulations, or provide services have the mandate and capacity to
function effectively, and encourages the positive contribution of all stakeholders. Canada has taken action
as needed domestically and supports many initiatives to promote international good governance and
institution-building in energy, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere, and climate change. Below
are some of Canada's policy initiatives at both the national and international levels relevant to the themes of
CSD-14.
Theme 1: Energy
Canada's Position
Canada understands the importance of energy as an essential element of sustainable development. Canada
believes that efforts to address existing challenges should focus on:
- supporting a broad energy mix, including oil and natural gas (both conventional and non-conventional), coal, renewables, wind, solar, biomass, nuclear, and hydro power
- designing policies and programs that create an enabling environment for the most sustainable use of
existing resources, advance energy efficiency measures, and promote development and use of
alternative energy sources and technologies
- creating energy policies that integrate all stakeholder concerns and are tailored to domestic needs
and circumstances rather than establishing binding global targets for specific energy sources
- finding ways to strengthen existing institutions and partnerships that already focus on energy and
sustainable development, and enhancing their ongoing efforts.
Canada's Experience
With developing countries: As sustainable energy development requires different approaches, Canada
seeks to foster a wide range of energy options which should be assessed and compared against the criteria
of sustainable development under particular circumstances. Sound legal and regulatory frameworks and
fiscal regimes are vital prerequisites for greater private sector involvement, investment, and confidence in
the sector. Canada has assisted in creating enabling environments for sustainable energy development in
various partner countries. Experience includes restructuring the energy sector in Pakistan and India, and
assisting Bolivia and Peru in creating transparent legal, fiscal, and regulatory frameworks for sustainable
energy management and development.
Renewable Energy: Canada defines renewable energy sources as those that are replenished naturally or
through sustainable management practices so that they are not diminished at current levels of consumption.
These sources include biomass (including animal and biomass waste), hydro, wind, solar, earth, and ocean
energy. In 2003, renewable energy generation capacity from renewable sources accounted for about 62%
of total Canadian electricity capacity. Most of the renewable energy used in Canada is either hydro (59%
of the electricity produced) or thermal (conventional combustion of biomass). Canada advances the
deployment of renewable energy internationally through participation in several implementing agreements
under the International Energy Agency.
Energy efficiency: The Community Energy Systems Program helps Canadian small-medium enterprises
(SMEs), industry, energy utilities, municipalities, communities, and various levels of government improve
their energy efficiency by applying technologies that interconnect heat sources and sinks. It also helps find
ways to satisfy the demand for cooling with more efficient and ozone-friendly methods.
(
www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/cetc01/htmldocs/research_programs_ces_e.html)
Nuclear Power: Canada continues to advocate on behalf of a nuclear option in the medium- to long- term
as a way to address energy security concerns and promote diversity of supply while helping meet future
targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, provided that environmental concerns are addressed and
environmental costs such as waste management and facility decommissioning are fully internalized by the
nuclear industry.
National Resource Recovery and Recycling Strategy: Canada is developing a national resource recovery
and recycling strategy. Recovery of basic materials from end-of-life products improves the efficiency of
material and energy use and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. (
www.recycle.nrcan.gc.ca/crrs_e.htm)
Agricultural energy-use indicator: Canada has developed an indicator of agricultural energy use efficiency
based on energy output per unit of energy input. Between the periods 1981-1985 and 1997-2001 there
were modest losses in efficiency, with agricultural energy input rising by 16% while output rose by 13%.
(
www.agr.gc.ca/policy/environment/pdfs/aei/Chap17/pdf)
Theme 2: Industrial Development
Canada's Position
Canada believes that industrial development can in fact advance sustainability through:
- contributing to economic and social development and environmental stewardship
- funding and developing new partnerships to complement the work of provincial, territorial, and
municipal partners
- strengthening the capacity of institutions responsible for industry services to function effectively,
transparently, and in ways that encourage positive contributions by all stakeholders
- promoting and improving science-based decision-making
- developing policies to promote sustainable energy use, clean technologies, renewable energy, and fuel
cells
- promoting corporate social responsibility.
Canada's Experience
Voluntary agreements: Canada has entered into many voluntary agreements with industry that support
sustainable development. For example, Canada has been highly successful in negotiating voluntary
agreements with the automotive industry in areas such as fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions, pollution
prevention, and vehicle safety. Improvements in these areas will reduce energy transportation energy
demand, promote reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, and enhance pubic
safety. (
www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/media/mous/2005/20050405_e.htm)
Regulation: Canada is currently reforming its domestic regulatory regime to enhance competitiveness and
safeguard the investment climate while continuing to protect Canadians and the environment. Canada
believes that regulatory reform can and should be consistent with sustainable development principles.
(www.regulation.gc.ca)
Corporate Social Responsibility: Canada offers programs to encourage corporate social responsibility
(CSR) and similar concepts (corporate sustainability, corporate sustainable development, corporate
responsibility, and corporate citizenship). Supported by guidelines and indicators that address ethics,
transparency, sustainability, and accountability, CSR gives industry a means of integrating the economic,
social, and environmental imperatives of their activities. Many Canadian industry groups have now
adopted CSR programs, including producer associations for chemicals, steel, petroleum, electricity,
mining, forest products, and vinyl. (
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incsr-rse.nsf/en/Home)
Theme 3: Air Pollution/Atmosphere
Canada's Position
Canada has made good progress in addressing air pollution through various programs, regulations,
international agreements, incentives for change, and cooperation among the federal government, provinces
and territories, municipalities, industries, and the Canadian public. However, projections indicate that
domestic growth in the population and economy will offset these improvements over time. Long-range
transportation of pollutants is also an important factor, and multilateral and bilateral cooperation are
important mechanisms in achieving reductions from outside sources that impact Canada.
Canada's Experience
International Cooperation on Mercury: Canada is adversely affected by mercury emissions from foreign
sources and has played a leadership role in the development and implementation of international mercury
management under the Global Mercury Programme. Canada participates in the Aarthus (Heavy Metals)
Protocol under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Arctic Council,
the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, and various national and bilateral monitoring programs.
Montreal Protocol: Canada took a leading role in establishing an international agreement (Vienna
Convention and its Montreal Protocol) to address ozone-layer depletion. The Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, now with 190 Parties, provides a reliable governance regime
and model for global cooperation. Canada has phased out more than 98% of its ozone-depleting
substances.
Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement: The Air Quality Agreement established a formal and
flexible method of addressing transboundary air pollution with the United States. Annex 1 of the
agreement, the Acid Rain Annex, focusses on the commitments of both nations to reduce sulphur dioxide
(SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, the primary precursors of acid rain. Under Annex 2, the
Scientific and Technical Activities and Economic Research Annex, Canada and the United States
cooperate on air pollution monitoring, formats, and methods for monitoring and reporting, and exchange
information about the causes and effects of air pollution and other issues. Annex 3, the Ozone Annex, was
added in December 2000, committing the two nations to reducing emissions of NOx and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), the pollutant precursors to ground-level ozone, the major component of smog.
(www.ijc.org/rel/agree/air.html)
Federal Agenda for Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels: This plan of action, an integral part of Canada's
Clean Air Strategy, includes measures and actions on clean air that will produce health and environmental
benefits for Canadians from coast to coast. It sets out a plan to develop new Canadian emission standards
for vehicles and engines to reduce pollution. (
www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/CAOL/OGEB/fuels/reports/noi/noi_e.htm)
Theme 4: Climate Change
Canada's Position
Climate change is a complex issue, and policy responses can have significant impacts on both the economy
and the environment. The cross-cutting nature of climate change issues calls for strong, horizontal
governance structures that promote accountability and are efficient, effective, equitable, and transparent.
Adapting to climate change requires governance structures that promote risk management approaches,
integrate adaptation into other decision-making processes, and facilitate partnerships to achieve goals.
Canada takes this approach in its domestic climate change programs and has also worked with
like-minded countries to ensure that these principles are reflected in the UNFCCC's international
governance processes.
Canada hosted COP 11 in Montreal in December 2005 and worked to produce a number of agreements
designed to strengthen the governance structures of the Kyoto Protocol, improving its efficiency,
transparency, and effective functioning. They included adoption of the Marrakech Accords (the rule-book
for the Kyoto Protocol), streamlined and improved operations of the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM), establishment of the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC), and establishment of
the Compliance Regime. Canada currently holds the Presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP)
and the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
(COP/MOP).
Canada's Experience
The Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation (CDM&JI): Canada participates in the
Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation, an integral component of the Kyoto Protocol's
efforts to promote cost-effective reductions in international greenhouse gas emissions based on carbon
financing. Canada's CDM&JI office works with Canadian and developing-country companies in project
development, project facilitation, domestic and international outreach, and approval of project
participation. It also supports capacity building, provides expertise, and undertakes market identification
through market studies and project portfolio development. (
www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/cdm-ji/menu-en.asp)
Canada's Domestic Climate Change Plan: Canada is in the process of developing an effective approach to
addressing climate change with the objective of achieving sustained emission reductions domestically and
transforming our economy for the long term. This complex process requires: integrating environmental,
economic, and energy policies; partnering with provinces and the private sector; emphasizing technology
development; mobilizing Canadians in a national effort; and linking climate change with agendas for clean
air, clean water, and clean soils. Key actions for moving forward on climate change in Canada include:
- promoting the development and use of new infrastructure and technologies for a clean, modern
electricity system and sustainable oil sands production
- taking a market-based approach in addressing emissions from large industrial sources
- rewarding investments in emission reductions in all sectors of the economy
- taking a comprehensive approach toward sustainable transportation that addresses vehicles, fuels, and
urban transit
- engaging individual Canadians in addressing climate change through easy access to programs and
incentives
- promoting adaptation and further scientific research.
Climate Fund: The Climate Fund, announced in 2005, will be one of the primary tools for Canada's
approach to climate change. Its purpose is to create a permanent institution for the purchase of credits for
emissions reduction and removal on behalf of the Government of Canada. The fund will use a competitive
process to purchase domestic emissions reductions and provide a strong link to international efforts to
mitigate climate change by purchasing international reductions that are recognized under the Kyoto
Protocol. (
www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/newsroom/2005/project_green/fund/default.asp)
Wind Power Production Incentive: A 1¢ per kWh incentive for qualifying domestic wind power
production was established in 2002 to offset part of the higher-than-market cost of wind power
production. This incentive has helped stimulate the development in Canada of nearly 700 MW of wind
power to date. (
www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaId=107&PgId=622)
Science, Technology, and Expertise
Canada has built substantial scientific and technical knowledge and research capacity related to energy,
industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere, and climate change. Sharing that knowledge, as well as
applying the technology and the practical expertise that Canadians have developed to meet challenges, are
valuable contributions to the international community. Canada is committed to the most efficient and
effective development and use of science and technology, especially by strengthening national innovation
policies and programs and enhancing existing collaborative global networks. Through the establishment of
partnerships and networks with local partners, Canadian technology and expertise offer practical,
sustainable solutions to meet diverse requirements.
Theme 1: Energy
Canada's Position
Science is an integral part of the Canadian energy industry, particularly as we address two key issues: the
mitigation of the negative environmental impacts of energy production, transportation, and consumption;
and the security of energy supply. Canada has wide expertise and experience in developing, using, and
promoting energy technologies that support the WSSD's Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and other
international goals for energy technology. Canada promotes research, development, and expertise that:
- creates domestic and international partnerships for innovation
- generates new and improved renewable, clean, and energy-efficient technologies
- ensures that Canadians have access to secure and reliable supplies of energy
- makes the best and widest use of currently available technologies
- designs programs that create an enabling environment for the development of gas hydrates and oil
sands, unconventional energy sources
- addresses nuclear waste
- improves technology transfer to users, particularly in developing countries.
Canada's Experience
Program of Gas Hydrates as Resources. International interest in the potential of gas hydrates as a future
source of low-emission energy is growing, and a number of countries have launched initiatives to promote
their national interests. Canada has achieved international recognition for scientific research and resource
characterization of gas hydrates, and for leadership of the first production experiment.
(http://ghff.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php)
Clean Energy Portal: Canada's Clean Energy Portal is a web-based service that allows users to survey
and contact Canada's clean energy firms (currently numbering more than 800), leverage a variety of
project financing resources, identify key technologies and government resources central to clean energy
and climate change, and research Canadian and international climate change initiatives.
(www.cleanenergy.gc.ca)
Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD): PERD promotes the development and use of
Canada's energy resources in a clean and safe manner, as well as the development of energy-efficient,
renewable, and alternative energy sources and technologies. PERD leverages the know-how and
resources of twelve federal departments and agencies, partnering with industry, academia, and the
provinces. (
www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd/english/View.asp?x=659)
Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) : The OEE offers many leading-edge and comprehensive
energy management products, programs, and services in the areas of equipment, housing, buildings,
industry, transportation, and government operations.
(
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/index.cfm?Text=N&PrintView=N)
Canada's CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) works with industry, trade, and professional
associations, utilities, universities, and other levels of government to develop and deploy leading-edge
technologies in the areas of residential, commercial, and industrial energy efficiency, and alternative,
renewable, and transportation energy technologies. Its programs focus on improving industrial energy
efficiency and reducing the environmental consequences associated with the production and use of energy.
(http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/cetchome.htm)
Energy Decision Support: RETScreen is an innovative and unique energy awareness, decision- support
and capacity-building tool, developed to promote clean energy and energy efficient project development.
RETScreen seeks to build the capacity of planners, decision-makers, and industry to implement renewable
energy and energy efficiency projects. This objective is achieved by developing decision-making tools that
reduce the cost of pre-feasibility studies, disseminating knowledge to help people make better decisions,
and training people to better analyse the technical and financial viability of possible projects. RETScreen
software currently has 76,000 users in 213 countries/jurisdictions, with 400 new users added each week.
(www.retscreen.net)
Renewable energy: Canada delivers several initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy
domestically, including the following programs:
- Initiative to Purchase Electricity from Emerging Renewable Energy Sources
- Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative (REDI)
- Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI)
- ENergy from the FORest (ENFOR).
Clean coal technology: Canada's Clean Coal Technology (CCT) Road Map helps users to identify market
opportunities and CCT needs and to review and identify technologies, energy processes, and integration
system pathways that best suit CCT needs in Canada.
(
www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/combustion/cctrm/htmldocs/roadmapping_e.html)
Nuclear energy: In February 2005 Canada signed an international agreement on nuclear energy that will
help shape the direction of the industry for the next 20 years. The framework agreement, supported by
Canada, the US, the UK, Japan, France and six other nations, is part of the Generation IV International
Forum (GIF) that advances long-term multilateral research and development on nuclear energy systems.
The goal is to develop nuclear reactor designs for use beyond 2025 that address the challenges facing
nuclear technologies today.
Hydrogen technologies: Canada is committed to working in partnership with industry to foster the
development and early introduction in the Canadian marketplace of hydrogen and hydrogen- compatible
technologies, such as fuel cells and those used to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen. Technology and
Innovation H2 Early Adopters - Technology Partnerships Canada is a program aimed at addressing the
urgent need to accelerate the market adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies, and to
attract world-class talent and investment to Canada.
Technology promotion: Canada posts Climate Change Technology Promotion Officers in India, Mexico,
and Poland as part of a five-year pilot program to help Canadian industries market their climate change
technologies and expertise in these key greenhouse gas mitigation markets.
Construction technologies: A building technology initiative, Super E®, is specifically focussed on adapting
50 years of Canadian construction experience for a large variety of climates, including those of other
countries. The program is being expanded to China, which has already partnered with Canada in many
housing-related areas, including building codes, finance, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban planning.
The International Initiative for Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE) is an international not-for-profit
organization whose aim is to accelerate adoption of sustainable building practices. Canada houses the
Secretariat for this initiative and provides administrative support. (
www.super-e.com; http://greenbuilding.ca)
Theme 2: Industrial Development
Canada's Position
Canada promotes domestic and international research partnerships to support industrial development and
believes that sustainable industrial development would further benefit from:
- developing best practices for resource- and energy-intensive development
- developing policies that promote sustainable development practices in small-medium enterprises
- improving industrial energy efficiency and pollution abatement.
Canada's Experience
Industrial Research Assistance Program: This program offers technical and business advisory services to
Canadian small-medium enterprises, supporting innovative research and development and the
commercialization of new products and services. (http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca)
Technology road-mapping: Canada facilitates this industry-led planning process, helping companies to
identify product or service needs, map them onto technology alternatives, and develop plans to help ensure
that the required technologies are available when needed.
Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation: Canada supports this private sector,
not-for-profit corporation which helps small-medium enterprises engaged in the development and commercialization of new environmental technologies. The corporation links technology
producers, industry experts, and investment sources to facilitate this process. (www.cetacwest.com)
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC): This not-for-profit foundation finances and
supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies that provide solutions to environmental
issues, including air quality and climate change, delivering benefits to Canadians across all three pillars of
sustainable development. SDTC supports clean technology projects through the pre-commercialization
junctures at which technologies move from the laboratory and are proved in full-scale, real-world test
situations. (www.sdtc.cawww.sdtc.ca)
Sustainable Cities Initiative: Canada's experience and success working directly with 15 cities on five
continents through the Sustainable Cities Initiative has demonstrated that cities want practical solutions to
industrial development needs. Canada has considerable experience to share in the areas of eco-efficiency,
corporate responsibility, the use of newer and cleaner technologies, life cycle management, environmental
management systems, and standards certification. This bilateral cooperation and trade development
initiative operates as a partnership of Canadian expertise among local governments, the private sector, and
NGOs. (
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inscin-idvd.nsf/en/Home)
Theme 3: Air Pollution/Atmosphere
Canada's Position
The federal government supports complementary streams of scientific activity (atmospheric, ecosystem and
health) to generate the knowledge and data needed to identify and understand air pollution issues and to
design and assess effective measures to address those concerns. In doing so, it supports informed
decision-making on the part of governments, industry, and consumers. Canada believes there is a
continuing need to build the knowledge base and gain practical experience and technical expertise in order
to advance mitigation of air pollution.
Canada's Experience
Please visit Environment Canada's website (www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/Home-WS8C3F7D55-1_En.htm) for a
listing of the many activities related to air pollution and atmosphere.
Theme 4: Climate Change
Canada's Position
Improving our understanding of the impacts of climate change and our capacity to adapt to those changes
can provide decision makers with the information necessary to design effective and efficient mitigation and
adaptation strategies. Canada fully supports a bottom-up, vulnerability approach to adaptation, which will
contribute to informing fair, effective, and differentiated global action. In addition, advancing
climate-friendly technologies facilitates sustainable economic development by improving energy efficiency,
advancing energy security, and assisting in reducing greenhouse gases and air emissions. Finding
cooperative ways to promote the research, development, deployment, and diffusion of technology is thus
an important component of any international climate change agreement.
Canada's Experience
The following initiatives, many of which are international in nature, provide opportunities for Canadian
enterprises with particular expertise in climate-friendly technologies to increase their international profile.
This work is meant to complement much of the domestic work that is currently under way to advance
clean energy and climate friendly technologies (see Energy section).
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program (CCIAP): Since 2001, the CCIAP has invested in
research and built research capacity in governments, universities, and industry to enhance the
understanding of Canada's vulnerability to climate change, processes of adaptation, and factors limiting our
capacity to adapt. (http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/home_e.asp)
Technology and Innovation Research and Development (T&I R&D) Through this initiative, the
Government of Canada has identified five priority technology areas in which significant gains in greenhouse
gas reduction can be obtained by further developing science and technology: cleaner fossil fuels, advanced
end-use efficient technologies, decentralized energy production, biotechnology, and hydrogen and fuel cell-related technologies.
Agricultural greenhouse gas reductions: In 2001, agriculture generated 8% of Canada's total emissions of
nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Canada has developed an indicator of agricultural generation
of greenhouse gases (GHG), which shows that between 1981 and 2001, on-farm GHG emissions
decreased by 6%, largely as a result of agricultural soils changing from a source to a sink of carbon dioxide
through the adoption of improved management practices. Among many programs over the past five years
to reduce agricultural GHG emissions, the Model Farms Program is developing a model to improve
"whole farm" estimates of potential carbon sequestration and reductions in GHG emissions through
improved management of soils, nutrients, and livestock on Canadian farms.
(www.agr.gc.ca/policy/environment/pdfs/aei/Chap14.pdf)
International Partnerships: Canada contributes expertise through several international partnerships,
including:
- the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP ), a coalition of governments,
businesses, and organizations committed to accelerating the development of renewable and energy
efficiency systems (www.reep.org)
- Methane to Markets, an international initiative that advances cost-effective, near-term methane
recovery and use as a clean energy source. (www.methanetomarkets.org)
International negotiations/discussion fora: Canada has been an active participant in technology- related
discussions and negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). Canada supports the Experts Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT), which is the primary
body within this forum for facilitating the advancement of technology transfer actions within a negotiated
framework. In September 2004, Canada hosted the UNFCCC Workshop on Innovative Options for
Financing the Development and Transfer of Technologies, the first forum within the UN's climate change
process to address the issue of financing the development and transfer of technology and to include
private-sector financing practitioners. Since then, much has been achieved in improving the understanding
of the critical role both public and private sector investment capital plays in enabling the global transfer of
climate-friendly technology.
G8 Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development: Another international venue
for advancing the deployment of climate-friendly technologies, this ongoing dialogue brings together
Environment and Energy Ministers from the 20 countries with the greatest energy demands to discuss the
strategic challenge of transforming our energy systems, monitoring implementation of the plan of action, and
sharing best practices.
ANNEX 1: Sample Questions to Consider for the Consultation
1) What are the top priorities for Canada to present/discuss at CSD-14?
2) What are the key areas of intersection/overlap between/among the themes? What opportunities do
these overlaps present to streamline sustainable development and maximize benefits?
3) What are the key areas of competition or hindrance between/among the themes? Does advancing the
goals under one theme impinge on advancing the goals under another? How can this be resolved?
4) What key lessons learned does Canada have to offer that would profit the international community?
5) How can we build capacity for cooperative management?
6) What mechanisms support a balanced approach?
7) What new partnerships would advance the goals under each theme?
8) How can we do a better job of sharing knowledge and information, nationally, regionally, and
internationally?
9) What are the priorities for further research and development?
10) How can we improve the uptake of proven Canadian technologies and know-how to further the goals
under each theme?
11) How can we empower Canadian businesses to meet sustainable development needs?
12) How can we ensure that the poor receive their share of the benefits of new developments?
13) How can women become more effectively involved under the four themes?
14) What Canadian success stories should be highlighted?
1. Most of the material presented in this section comes from the U.N. website: www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues
2. Canadian International Development Agency, Canada's International Policy Statement
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