OBJECTIVE 3.2 – Promoting technologies and stewardship
practices that reduce environmental impacts, conserve biodiversity and
increase the efficiency of resource development and use.
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Date target reported
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Target
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Date target reported
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How this target advances sustainable development
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Future directions
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3.2.1
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By 1998, launch Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative.
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Mar 31/99
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Encourages the use of renewable energy and develop cost-effective
renewable energy technologies.
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For SDS- Now and for the Future,
NRCan, in partnership with industry, is furthering its efforts to
promote renewable energy, and will develop wind energy technologies,
small hydro technologies, technologies to convert biomass into electricity,
photovoltaic technologies and supporting infrastructure.
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3.2.2
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By 1998, extend the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) program
for three years.
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Mar 31/99
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Prevents and reduces acid mine drainage by transferring field project
technologies to the mining industry and government sectors.
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NRCan will implement a new post-MEND Program which will address
the priority mine closure issues identified through an extensive
stakeholder consultation process, over the period of SDS
- Now and for the Future.
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3.2.3
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Report on options to control the harmful effects of air emissions
from copper and zinc smelters, as identified under the Priority
Substances List (PSL-2) process, by 2000.
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Mar 31/01
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Ensures that hazards for metals are identified and that control
measures are put into place.
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Environment Canada and Health Canada will release the final assessment
report and conclusions on releases from primary and secondary copper
and zinc smelters and refineries.
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3.2.4
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By 2000, undertake projects with industry under the auspices of
the Canadian Lightweight Materials Research Initiative (CLiMRI).
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Mar 31/99
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Develops technologies to significantly reduce the weight of automobiles,
resulting in reduced fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide
emissions.
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NRCan will continue to develop and share innovative technology
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector
by developing lightweight, high performance materials and manufacturing
processes for fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition, NRCan will develop
technologies and strengthen the knowledge base for alternative fuels,
and work with provinces to educate drivers about fuel efficiency.
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3.2.5
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By 1997, implement a second five-year phase of Canada's Model Forest
Program.
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Mar 31/99
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Explores, with stakeholders, the evolution of promoting best forest
practices in Canada.
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The Model Forest Program has enabled forests to become living laboratories
where people, with a direct interest in the forest, supported by
the most up-to- date science and technology, could participate in
decisions about how the forest could be sustainably managed. NRCan
will launch a renewed Model Forest Program by 2002.
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By 1998, establish evaluation framework with stakeholders.
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Mar 31/99
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Developed a suite of local level indicators for sustainable forest
management according to the various socioeconomic, cultural and
environmental conditions.
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By 2000, initiate evaluation process.
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Mar 31/01
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A performance based evaluation framework was evaluated and accepted
by Model Forest Network in 1999. This tool enables the sound assessment
of activities and innovative solutions developed throughout the
Model Forest Network to promote sustainable forest management.
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3.2.6
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By 1998, complete transfer of the Spruce Budworm Decision Support
System to Alberta clients, where budworm is threatening northern
spruce forests.
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Mar 31/99
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Provides forest managers with an increased capacity to make sound
decisions on their interventions while supporting biodiversity conservation
and aesthetic values.
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For SDS- Now and for the Future,
NRCan's forest management research will develop tools and models
for predicting long-term effects of harvesting regimes on Canada's
forests, and develop proof-of-concept of engineering forest trees
for resistance to fungal and insect pests, to conserve and protect
forest ecosystems and to enhance timber production.
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By 1999, publish Best Practices Guide for avoiding negative effects
of clear-cutting on forest soil productivity and aquatic systems
in the Boreal Shield.
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Mar 31/99
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Provides information on environmentally sound harvesting methods
tailored to these two ecosystems to reduce the susceptibility of
forest stands to pests and disease, while avoiding the loss of large
stands of trees and supporting biodiversity conservation and aesthetic
values.
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By 1999, produce a guide on stand manipulation systems to reduce
susceptibility to pest damage in the Montane Cordillera and Atlantic
Maritime ecozones.
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Mar 31/00
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Provides evidence for sound decision making on the sustainable
development of forests.
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By 2000, publish reports on costs and benefits of partial cutting
as an alternative to clear-cutting in Canada's forested ecozones,
with a client advisory committee.
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Mar 31/01
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3.2.7
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By 2000, through Forintek Canada Corporation, conduct a study to
increase the use of bark waste in wood composite material.
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Mar 31/01
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The study produced very positive results. Forintek is currently
in negotiations with Eastern and Western companies to lead to the
commercialization of structural and non-structural barkboard products.
This is one more step towards making wood wastes into resilient
products, thus relieving some pressure on forest harvesting and,
by not burning them, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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NRCan will continue to support innovative research to address the
use of wood wastes to develop new resilient wood product as a contribution
to Canada's commitment to sustainability.
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3.2.8
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By 1998, develop an action plan, in consultation with stakeholders.
The action plan will input to Canada's Second Report to the Convention
on Biological Diversity in 2000.
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Mar 31/99
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Fulfills federal forestry commitments in the Canadian Biodiversity
Strategy.
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For SDS- Now and for the Future,
NRCan will develop partnerships, through the Biodiversity Stewardship
in Resource Industries Initiative, between resource industries and
conservation organizations to undertake non-regulatory initiatives
to conserve biodiversity.
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3.2.9
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By 1998, launch Diesel Exhaust Emission Program.
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Mar 31/99
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Reduces diesel emissions in the mining industry through technology
transfer.
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Three major DEEP projects are currently on-going and NRCan's
Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories is a key R&D participant.
DEEP will be active for through 2002, until two large field projects
which involve testing of high efficiency filtration units to remove
diesel exhaust particulates have been completed. The third project
deals with the characterization of the emission contribution of
service/light duty vehicles.
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3.2.10
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Complete a review of the international use of eco-efficiency within
the natural resource sectors to identify opportunities to use eco-
efficiency to improve environmental performance and competitiveness,
by 1999.
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Mar 31/00
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Promotes sustainable development through economic development and
identified opportunities in eco- efficiency.
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This review, titled The Role of Eco-efficiency:
Global Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century and
published on CD-ROM in 2000, led to a new commitment in SDS
- Now and for the Future to work with partners to establish
Canada's capacity for eco-efficiency, by ensuring that the
proper techniques and tools are made available to enterprises in
the natural resources sector to facilitate the adoption of eco-efficient
practices.
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