Environment Canada Report on Plans and Priorities for 2003-2004

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Section 6 - Regulatory and Delegated Arrangements

• 6.1  Planned Regulatory Initiatives
• 6.2  Foundations
• 6.3  Environment Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2001- 2003

6.1 Planned Regulatory Initiatives

6.2 - Foundations

• Channel and strengthen Canada’s scientific capacity to address climate change and air quality climate issues;
• Provide the scientific basis for a better understanding of the climate system, extreme weather and air quality;
• Provide the scientific basis for policies to address the consequences of extreme weather, climate change and air quality;
• Provide a better understanding of the implications of these sciences for human health and for the natural environment;
• Foster collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to research on meteorology,atmospheric science, air quality, climate and climate change;
• Encourage the participation and support of others, including the private sector, in climate and atmospheric sciences in Canada.

• Year 1 2000/2001 $1M
• Year 2 2001/2002 $7M
• Year 3 2002/2003 $14M
• Year 4 2003-2004 $19M
• Year 5 2004-2005 $18M
• Year 6 2005-2006 $11M.

Note: Budget 2003 provides a one time grant of $50M.

• Understanding of key climate system processes (stratospheric indicators of climate variations, chemistry and physics of organics in atmospheric aerosol particles, trace gases), including greenhouse gas sources and sinks (nitrous oxide flux emissions, canopy fluxes, atmospheric chemistry).
• Understanding of key meteorological and atmospheric chemistry processes that have an impact on air quality;
• Understanding of prediction of extreme and hazardous weather (weather systems, forecasts).
• Development and improvements of models for weather, air quality (atmospheric volatile organic compounds, persistent organic pollutants) and climate systems adapted to Canada’s regional context.
• Improvement of knowledge about oceans and atmospheric processes that will lead to better marine environment predictions.

• To provide funding to eligible recipients for eligible projects in Sustainable Development Technology particularly focusing on climate change and clean air.

$100M over 5 years

$50M was transferred from Treasury Board in 2000-2001. An additional $50M was transferred by the two lead departments, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada, in 2001-2002 for disbursement over 5 years. As of January 2003, SDTC announced $6.6M of funding for 8 projects, which were leveraged with and additional $42M by the consortia applicants.

Noter: Budget 2003 provides a one-time grant of $250M distributed between Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

• To catalyze the building of a sustainable development technology infrastructure in Canada, by funding the accelerated development, demonstration and commercialization of creative, collaborative solutions to the issues of climate change and air quality.
• This initiative is dependent on the formation of creative and economically sound partnerships from the private sector, academia, not-for-profit organizations, and federal or provincial governments. As these partners will provide at least a further $200 million dollars of leveraged funding, SDTC funds, on average, up to 33% of an eligible project. There will be a 75% stacking limit for all forms of government funding on a per project basis.

• Major reductions in GHG emissions will result to facilitate reaching Canada’s Kyoto objectives. Other EC priorities related to Clean Air will be met with new innovative technologies.

• Two complementary GMFs were created to stimulate municipal investments in innovative environmental infrastructure projects and practices to achieve cleaner air, water, and soil, to protect the climate and promote sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources. Program delivery to all Canadian municipalities is delegated to the FCM, which operates at arm's length from the Federal Government.
• The Green Municipal Enabling Fund (GMEF) $50M fund, ending in 2007, that provides cost-shared grants for feasibility studies that assess the technical, environmental and/or economic feasibility of innovative environmental projects. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $100 000.
• The Green Municipal Investment Fund (GMIF) $200M permanent revolving fund providing financing to municipal governments or their partners to underwrite the capital costs of innovative environmental infrastructure projects. Grants may also be provided for highly innovative projects.

$50M
(Endowments of $25M each in Budget 2000 and 2001)

$200M (endowments of $100M each in Budget 2000 and 2001)

Note Funds were provided by Environment Canada and Natural Resource Canadaeach contibuting half.

• The FCM will continue to use the GMF to fund innovative environmental projects. They have established a two phase selection process based on established criteria. Applicants first submit a brief description of their study as a letter of Intent to Apply. Only applicants that meet basic criteria are asked to proceed to the detailed application phase.
• A Peer review committee of experts in the field evaluates applications. Funds are reviewed by a 15-member Green Municipal Funds Council (GMFC) that oversees the activity and work of the GMF and makes recommendations to the FCM Board, which is the designated approval body for the Funds.
• The Council consists of five representatives from the Government of Canada, five from the FCM and another five from non-government institutions and the private sector. This balanced membership assures fairness in the overview of the Funds.
• In March 2003, FCM will complete their annual statement of plans for fulfilling the Fund objectives and purposes for the coming year.

To improve air, water and soil quality, protect the climate, and have a positive impact on the health and the quality of life of Canadians by:

1. Encouraging local environmental action in key sectors including:

• Energy and energy services
  
• Water
  
• Solid waste management
  
• Sustainable transportation services and technologies
  
• Sustainable community planning
  
• Integrated community projects.

3. Improving the environmental efficiency and cost-effectiveness of municipal infrastructure.

6.3 – Environment Canada’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2001-2003

Environment Canada's second Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) covers the period 2001-2003. This strategy lays out an agenda for innovation that offers the basis for creative and viable long-term solutions to ensure Canada's ecological health for future generations. The SDS reinforces Environment Canada's ongoing roles to provide leadership by example, and to build capacity and commitment to sustainable development with its partners and Canadians.

Environment Canada's SDS identifies goals, objectives and targets under four themes: knowledge for decision-making; incentives; partnerships and sustainable communities; and managing for sustainable development. Commitments made by branches and services within Environment Canada under these themes, have been incorporated into the departmental Business Lines.

To achieve its SDS goals, Environment Canada believes it is necessary to gain knowledge and understanding of the linkages among environmental, social and economic issues. The Department also believes that for real progress towards sustainable development to be achieved, it is essential for federal departments to work together on shared objectives. An important element of the SDS is Environment Canada's commitment to government-wide coordinated initiatives.

Section 3 of this Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) reflects many key SDS commitments. They are indicated by "SDS". While not all SDS commitments are in this RPP, a status report on all SDS commitments and progress on implementation for the first year was prepared as part of the departmental performance reporting process.

Environment Canada, along with other federal departments, must table a renewed SDS in Parliament by December 2003. Thus, Environment Canada is now in the process of updating its SDS. As part of the updating process, Environment Canada will be seeking the advice of Canadians from many sectors on how best to build on its current SDS while responding to changing circumstances.

For more detailed information about Environment Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2001-2003, including a full description of goals, objectives and targets and the Implementation Progress Report, visit Environment Canada's Green Lane: http://www.ec.gc.ca/sd-dd_consult/