Strategic Environmental Assessment of Grants and Contributions
Following the recommendations of a 1995 study by the Standing Committee on Environment and
Sustainable Development on financial disincentives to sustainable development, all ministers are
required to examine their grants to identify barriers or disincentives to sound environmental practices.
This requirement must also be included as an element in all Departmental sustainable development
strategies.
With the advice and assistance of several divisions, DFAIT's Sustainable Development Division (GDS) has developed a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) form and
guidance document for DFAIT officers administering grants or contributions. This initiative reflects a
DFAIT commitment made in its second sustainable development strategy, Agenda 2003, to develop a
program to evaluate the environmental consequences of its grants and contributions to domestic and
international bodies.
Conducting SEAs of grants and contributions provides a number of benefits for the management of
Departmental funding initiatives. The process can help prioritize funding initiatives by identifying any
environmental effects that may result in future costs or benefits, and it supports Canada's international
environmental commitments by demonstrating the Department's success at integrating sustainable
development objectives into all of its operational activities.
Grants and contributions that are not likely to have any significant environmental effects only require
cursory consideration, and the SEA form should be signed and kept for tracking purposes. However,
some funding initiatives may require more detailed environmental analysis. The SEA form helps make this
determination and guides the officer through this process.
Guidelines for Completing the Strategic Environmental Assessment Form for DFAIT Grants and Contributions
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Strategic Environmental Assessment Form for DFAIT Grants and Contributions
HTML Word Doc EXT1761 (PDF)
Contact Us for further information, for assistance conducting an EA of grants and contributions, or for evaluating the results of the EA process.
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