Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Strategy 1997

Safeguarding our Assets, Securing our Future

Measuring our Progress – NRCan's
Performance Measurement Framework

Accountability at Three Levels

NRCan's work in promoting sustainable development can be assessed
by stakeholders at three different levels.

At the most basic level, through regular reporting on action commitments,
stakeholders will have a clear indication of whether the Department
is meeting its commitments.

At the second level, through indicators and targets, NRCan's
performance can be measured against the Strategy's objectives.

Finally, at a broader level, Canada's overall progress in
the sustainable development of its natural resources can be assessed
through indicators dealing with sustainable development practices
in the areas of forest management, energy, and minerals and metals.

NRCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) that articulates
a clear set of goals, objectives and performance indicators. The performance
indicators, which appeared in draft form in the 1997 Sustainable Development
Strategy – Safeguarding our Assets, Securing our Future, have been
further refined in consultation with our stakeholders. These indicators
will help Canadians assess NRCan's progress in achieving its goals
and objectives in the context of sustainable development and good governance
and will provide the foundation for all Departmental planning and reporting
documents. In this regard, the framework addresses reporting and performance
requirements of the Department's Sustainable Development Strategy,
the Federal S&T Strategy, and internal management practices.

NRCan showcased its distinct approach to reporting on performance indicators
in the Departmental Performance Report (DPR), which was tabled in Parliament
in October 1999. Each indicator – one for each of the Department's
five goals – reported on four elements (i.e., graphic representation,
interpretation of graph, description of NRCan's contribution and
next steps) to communicate NRCan's story. The information included
a mix of numerical targets, directional targets (i.e., to maintain or
improve on existing performance), and trend analysis and monitoring (i.e.,
when it is too difficult to attribute the Department's contribution
to a 'macro' indicator, even though the indicator is of high
importance to NRCan).

Building on the initial report of indicators, NRCan has prepared a schedule
for reporting over the next three years. The following table presents
NRCan's Performance Measurement Framework and also identifies a reporting
date for each performance indicator – for publication and tabling
in Parliament of NRCan's Departmental Performance Report. The schedule
for reporting will inform Canadians of the time frame for assessing the
Department's progress in achieving its goals and objectives through
the use of specific indicators.

Goal 1:

To provide Canadians with information to make balanced decisions regarding
natural resources.
OBJECTIVES As demonstrated by:	PERFORMANCE INDICATORS	TARGETS AND APPROACHES	TABLING DATE*
1.1 Easily accessible and integrated knowledge on the state of Canada's landmass and natural resources, and the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their use.	1.1.1 User satisfaction with relevance, accessibility and quality of information.	Maintain or improve current levels of use and satisfaction.	2001
	1.1.2 Public awareness of the importance and relevance of the natural resource sectors, its issues, and NRCan's S&T.	Maintain or improve awareness.	2001
	1.1.3 Adoption of NRCan-supported technology and practices.	Not applicable.	2002
1.2 Greater national and international cooperation and consensus on sustainable development issues, policies, goals and actions.	1.2.1 Participation in, and influence on, national and international multi-stakeholder approaches to SD issues.	Maintain or improve participation and influence.	2001
	1.2.2 Degree of leveraging by NRCan from shared S&T projects.	Maintain or improve total funds and in-kind support leveraged.	2001
1.3 Fiscal, regulatory and voluntary approaches that encourage the sustainable development of natural resources. strated by:	1.3.1 Participation in, and influence on, fiscal, regulatory and voluntary sustainable development initiatives.	Maintain or improve participation and influence.	2002
	1.3.2 Influence of NRCan's S&T-based recommendations on regulatory regimes.	Not applicable.	2003

Goal 2:

To provide Canadians with sustainable economic, social and environmental
benefits derived from natural resources for present and future generations.
OBJECTIVES As demonstrated by:	PERFORMANCE INDICATORS	TARGETS AND APPROACHES	TABLING DATE*
2.1 Greater economic opportunities and encouraging investment in innovative and higher-value uses of natural resources.	2.1.1 Economic influence of NRCan S&T.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2002
	2.1.2 Employment levels and productivity in resource and resource-related industries.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2001
	2.1.3 Contribution of the natural resource sector to the GDP.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2001
	2.1.4 Capital investment in resource and resource-related industries.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2002
2.2 Expanded access to international markets for Canadian resource-based products, knowledge, technologies and services.	2.2.1 Value and percent of exports of resource-based products.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2003
2.3 Increased capacity of communities to generate sustainable economic activity based on natural resources.	2.3.1 Number of shared projects and funds leveraged with rural, Aboriginal and northern communities.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2001
	2.3.2 Employment level of Aboriginal peoples and northern residents in resource sectors.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2003

Goal 3:

To provide Canadians with strategies that reduce environmental impacts
in the natural resources sector.
OBJECTIVES As demonstrated by:	PERFORMANCE INDICATORS	TARGETS AND APPROACHES	TABLING DATE*
3.1 Canada addressing its international Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.	3.1.1 a) GHG emissions compared to Kyoto protocol b) GHG emissions to GDP ratio compared to other countries.	Canada's Kyoto protocol target is to reduce GHG emissions to 6% below the 1990 level between the years 2008 and 2012.	2001
	3.1.2 Trends in use of renewable energy.	Trend analysis and monitoring.	2002
	3.1.3 Trends in energy efficiency.	After the energy efficiency index has been developed a desired directional target will be stated and a quantitative target will be considered.	2001
	3.1.4 GHG emissions from federal operations.	By the year 2005, reduce GHG emissions from federal operations by 20% below 1990 levels.	2003
	3.1.5 Progress towards the identification of impacts and adaptation measures.	To be determined.	2001
3.2 Science, technology and stewardship practices that reduce environmental impacts, conserve biodiversity, and increase the efficiency of resource development and use.	3.2.1 Environmental influence of NRCan's science, technology and stewardship practices.	Maintain or improve NRCan's influence.	2001
3.3 Canada's environment safeguarded from the risks associated with natural resource development and use.	3.3.1 Progress towards addressing hazards associated with resource development and use.	Maintain or improve safeguards – hazard specific.	2002

Goal 4:

To provide Canadians with safety and security in the natural resources
sector.
OBJECTIVES As demonstrated by:	PERFORMANCE INDICATORS	TARGETS AND APPROACHES	TABLING DATE*
4.1 Canadians safeguarded from natural hazards.	4.1.1 Impact of NRCan's S&T on the identification, mitigation and response to natural hazards.	Hazard specific.	2001
4.2 A national framework for spatial positioning, mapping and boundary maintenance.	4.2.1 User satisfaction with aeronautical charts, the Canada Lands Survey System and the Canadian Spatial Reference System.	Service standards exist in all 3 areas. Meet cycle deadlines 100% of the time. Maintain standards.	2001
4.3 Safe use of explosives and pyrotechnics.	4.3.1 Accident and incident rate in the explosives and pyrotechnic industries in Canada.	Zero accidents, no incidents.	2002
4.4 Enhanced safety and security in Canada's natural resource sector.	4.4.1 Impact of regulatory frameworks for energy transmission, offshore development, and Canada's uranium and nuclear industry.	Improvements to regulations and guidelines.	2003

Goal 5:

To provide Canadians with a department that is efficiently and effectively
managed.
OBJECTIVES As demonstrated by:	PERFORMANCE INDICATORS	TARGETS AND APPROACHES	TABLING DATE*
5.1 Managing NRCan's resources responsibly.	5.1.1 Employee satisfaction with NRCan management practices.	Trend monitoring and analysis with corrective action as necessary.	2001
	5.1.2 Progress towards maintaining and enhancing NRCan's Program Integrity.	To be determined.	2001
	5.1.3 Savings realized from streamlining administrative processes, innovative service delivery, electronic commerce, improved facilities management, and information technology bulk purchasing and contracts.	To be determined on a project-by-project basis.	2003
5.2 Continuously improving NRCan products, services, and operations.	5.2.1 Implementation of recommendations from audits, evaluations, and other studies of NRCan management and operations.	To be determined.	2001
	5.2.2 Progress towards the implementation of leading-edge management practices.	Sector specific.	2003
5.3 Sustainable development in NRCan operations	5.3.1 Progress of the Department's Environmental Management System (EMS) towards the implementation of ISO 14000 series of standards.	By 2000, NRCan will be compatible with the ISO 14000 series of standards.	2003
	5.3.2 Progress towards the implementation of environmental health and safety audits and environmental assessment evaluation of NRCan operations.	100% implementation with action items stemming from findings of audit and evaluations.	2001
	5.3.3 Amount of solid non-hazardous waste from NRCan operations per capita per year.	By 2000, 50% reduction in solid non-hazardous waste from level measured in 1995-96 audits.	2002
	5.3.4 Portion of fleet converted to alternative fuels.	By 2004, 75% of fleet converted to alternative fuels where technically and operationally feasible.	2002
	5.3.5 Rate of purchasing by NRCan of green power.	10,000 MWH of power purchased per annum.	2001

* Tabling data indicates the year that the indicator will be reported
in the Departmental Performance Report to Parliament.

Sustainable Development