Investing in Environment
Context
DND assigns a high priority to its environmental programs and is committed to conducting its operations in ways that protect human health and the environment. The Department continues to evolve as an environmentally responsible and sustainable organization by addressing past environmental problems and continuing to seek opportunities to maintain the health of the environment into the future.
Initiatives
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) is an approach, currently in its second cycle, that provides a whole-of-government view of actions to achieve environmental sustainability, is integrated into core federal planning and reporting, and is supported by a robust measurement strategy.
This approach stems from the passing of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2008, which signaled a change in how the Government of Canada would fulfill its commitment to sustainable development.
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is divided into four main Themes: Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality; Maintaining Water Quality and Availability; Protecting Nature; and Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government.
Under the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2010-2013, the Department of National Defence (DND) is responsible for 15 targets under Theme IV, Shrinking the Environmental Footprint, which include: green buildings; greenhouse gas emissions; green procurement and information technology; and green meetings and paper consumption reduction.
Defence Environmental Strategy
The Defence Environmental Strategy effectively integrates and employs best practices through life-cycle management into workplace activities and operations at an organizational level in support of a sustainable modern military.
The Government of Canada has made it a priority to manage its activities with environmental sustainability in mind. Today, the Defence Environmental Strategy along with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy provides the Department of National Defence with the direction it needs to continue to evolve as an environmentally responsible and sustainable organization.
Links
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan
The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) is a cost-shared program that supports federal departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations in addressing contaminated sites for which they are responsible. The primary objective of this program is to reduce environmental and human health risks from known federal contaminated sites and associated federal financial liabilities.
The goal of the 15-year FCSAP program is to complete the assessment and remediation or risk management of highest-risk federal contaminated sites.
Links
Species at Risk
The Species at Risk Act (SARA), which became law in 2002, is a key federal government commitment to prevent wildlife species from becoming extirpated or extinct and secure the necessary actions for their recovery. It provides for the legal protection of wildlife species and the conservation of their biological diversity. Since the Species at Risk Act came into force, the federal government has legally listed more than 500 species under the Act.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Department of National Defence (DND), Environment Canada, and the Parks Canada Agency to manage activities and protect species at risk on DND lands in accordance to the Act.
As a good environmental steward, the Department is committed to protecting the wildlife species on DND lands through adherence to the Species at Risk Act. As such, the Department has drafted policy instruments and guidance to assist members of the CF and employees of DND to fulfill the requirements of the Species at Risk Act. [1]
[1] Information from MRL_DGE_Species_at_Risk_ADMIE_Feb10.doc and MRL DPAO SARA MoU (XX 2011) ENG.doc (requires approval).
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