Performance Report on Environment Canada's 2011–2012 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Part 3: EC's Clean Air Agenda Programs: Performance Achievements for 2011-2012

International Actions

International Climate Change Obligations

Link to 2011-2012 Departmental Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships

CAA Program Description and Expected Achievements

The purpose of this program is to provide the annual Government of Canada contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), as expected as part of Canada's membership to these organizations.

In 2011-2012, the expected achievement is the provision of the Government of Canada's contribution to the IPCC for the IPCC's 2012 fiscal year and the provision of the Government of Canada's contribution to the IAI for its 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The expected overall achievement of this program over 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 is for the Government of Canada to contribute to the overall functioning of the IPCC and the IAI and their ongoing work to produce policy-relevant scientific information on climate change.

CAA Program Achievements / Performance Summary

The contributions of $150,000 CAD and $159,000 USD to the IPCC and IAI, respectively, fulfilled the contribution expected from Canada in 2011-2012 as part of its membership to these organizations.

As directed in the contribution agreement between EC and the IPCC, funds were used by the IPCC to support travel of representatives from developing countries and economies in transition to IPCC meetings. These meetings helped to advance the work of the IPCC to develop scientific assessment reports on climate change, particularly the IPCC 5th Assessment Report and the IPCC methodology report on wetlands.

As directed in the contribution agreement between EC and the IAI, funds were used by the IAI to support the administration of the IAI's scientific activities, capacity-building activities, and data, outreach and communication activities. Significant achievements of the IAI in 2011-2012 included the wind-down and reporting on the IAI's Collaborative Network II program, which led to more than 270 peer-reviewed publications related to global change in the Americas. The IAI also initiated a call for proposals for the new Collaborative Network III program. Several scientific capacity-building workshops and a side event at the 17^th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change were also held by the IAI.

CAA Program Lessons Learned

There are no lessons learned related to the delivery of this program. No events occurred that adversely affected the achievements and performance expected from this funding.

Clean Air Agenda Program Spending Information³⁰

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International Climate Change Participation / Negotiations

Link to 2011-2012 Departmental Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships

CAA Program Description and Expected Achievements

• Canada will continue its strategic participation in a range of international climate fora within and outside the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process, including multilateral and bilateral meetings.

• These achievements are expected over the 2011-2016 time frame:

  • Outcomes of international negotiations and initiatives will be consistent with Canada's interests and priorities

  • Canadian interests are protected and advanced in both existing and new agreements, and through participation in key bilateral and multilateral partnerships

CAA Program Achievements / Performance Summary

A significant step in advancing international climate change efforts was achieved with the launch of the Durban Platform, a process to develop a single new comprehensive climate change agreement by 2015 that would include commitments by all major emitters beginning in 2020. The acceptance of the Durban Platform shows acknowledgment that all countries need to take action if we are to succeed in effectively addressing climate change, and it builds upon the success of the Cancun Agreements of 2010 and the Copenhagen Accord of 2009 and is consistent with Canada's interests and priorities.

In February 2012 Environment Canada (EC) protected and advanced Canada's interests by working with key partners to launch the new Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, recognizing that to achieve the Copenhagen goal of limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees C will require action on both long-lived greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants.

Through collaboration and partnerships with other governments and organizations under the Copenhagen Accord and through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), EC supported the implementation of Canada's financing commitment for developing countries for mitigation of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants, adaptation of public infrastructure and capacity building. EC also supported developing countries in attending workshops, regional adaptation strategies and increased capacity in UNFCCC processes.

See also FSDS Implementation Strategies 1.1.43 and 1.1.46 in related performance information.

CAA Program Lessons Learned

It continues to be challenging to work within the multilateral UNFCCC process, relying on the cooperation of 195 countries to achieve an agreement. While it is critical to continue to participate in this process, experience has shown that participation in more focused multilateral forums with key countries, such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants and Canada's bilateral technical cooperation with key countries, are an effective and practical means of addressing climate change.

Clean Air Agenda Program Spending Information

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Engagement and Alignment with the United States

United States-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue

Link to 2011-2012 Departmental Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

• Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships

• International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships

CAA Program Description and Expected Achievements

The overall objective of the Clean Energy Dialogue, initiated in 2009, is to enhance bilateral collaboration with the United States on the development and deployment of clean energy technologies in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) actively participate in the implementation of the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue (CED). The Secretariat for the CED is housed within Environment Canada's International Affairs Branch, and the Department's Science and Technology Branch leads on the implementation of work carried out by the binational Research and Development and Energy Efficiency (R&DEE) Working Group. This Working Group also includes officials from NRCan. Natural Resources Canada leads the implementation of work carried out by the Carbon Capture and Storage Working Group and the Electricity Working Group.

Expected achievements for 2011-2016:

• Collaborate with the United States on shared clean energy priorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate change, and contribute to the advancement of Canada's domestic clean energy agenda. Engagement with the United States is key to program delivery and is expected to be met over the length of the Clean Air Agenda (CAA).

• Develop and implement a CED Action Plan II to identify new and ongoing opportunities for dialogue, joint research and collaboration within the three bilateral Working Groups. The development of a second action plan is a key aspect of program delivery.

• Prepare and deliver progress reports and post appropriate achievements on the CED website; expected to be met over the length of the CAA.

CAA Program Achievements / Performance Summary

The following summarizes Environment Canada's performance achievements against this CAA program:

Secretariat

• Developed Action Plan II with Natural Resources Canada and the U.S. Department of Energy;

• Collaborated with the United States in specific areas of shared clean energy priorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change by engaging with key officials within the U.S. Department of Energy as well as officials at NRCan to identify ways to facilitate and advance CED projects and initiatives;

• Monitored and analyzed relevant initiatives aimed at advancing Canada's goal of reduced greenhouse gas emissions (domestically, continentally and globally), and reinforcing Canada's domestic regulatory approach to climate change;

• Monitored possible policy and regulatory alignment with the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (domestically, continentally and globally).

• Strengthened existing network of Canadian and American scientists working in biofuels and bioenergy.

• Canadian and American biofuels and bioenergy scientific communities demonstrated considerable interest in advancing CED R&DEE priorities (e.g. pyrolysis of biomass, algal-based biofuels, and environmental sustainability research).

• In 2011-12, the following six activities were conducted under the CED research, development and demonstration banner:

  • Completed the Canada-United States algae resources co-location model

  • Hosted a workshop on on research and development collaboration for advanced biofuels

  • Hosted a workshop onUnited States-Canada collaboration in pyrolysis biofuels

  • Delivered an inventory of Canada-United States collaboration in nextgen biofuels

  • Delivered a report titled "Better information on the Conversion of Agricultural Biomass to energy"

  • Developed an inventory of federal activities relating to the assessment of biofuel sustainability and environmental performance

CAA Program Lessons Learned

Clean energy interests within the Government of Canada are diverse and relevant to both the mandates of Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada, requiring clearly defined roles and expectations. Strengthened governance over the spring of 2012 has improved coordination, clarified expectations and improved implementation of the CED.

The opportunities to support bilateral work significantly exceed available funding requiring both partners to explore additional government resources and programs.

Consultation with key stakeholders is central to the work of the CED.

Clean energy development thrives on innovation which, by its very nature, is always changing. Action Plan II was well received by interested parties, including bioenergy industry associations on both sides of the border, and future work will benefit from continued consultation with clean energy stakeholders. With this in mind, the CED Secretariat intends to host an event in fall 2012 to elevate the dialogue on clean energy collaboration among interested parties, including the public sector, provinces, academia, ENGOs and the private sector. Working Groups will also continue to strengthen networks in their thematic areas including among bioenergy scientists.

The window of opportunity for confirmation and funding of collaborative research must be given careful consideration to facilitate project delivery in a manner that aligns with the U.S. and Canadian fiscal years.

Clean Air Agenda Program Spending Information

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³⁰ Spending includes the following: Salary; Employee Benefit Plan; Operations and Maintenance; Capital; Grants and Contributions, and Corporate Support; but excludes PWGSC accommodation costs, consistent with TBS guidance on departmental reporting on expenditures.