ARCHIVED - Natural Resources Canada

Twelve multi-year contribution agreements (funding agreements) were signed with 11 forest communities program sites and one national organization. Strategic plans and annual work plans have been approved and funding is flowing to all twelve partnerships. A second meeting of all contribution agreement recipients was held in February in Winnipeg, with a view to enhancing collaboration between individual sites.

In FY 2007–08, there were 841 NTS map files colour corrected, bringing the total percentage of colour correction completed to 55%.

For 2007–08, 183,755 photos were scanned for a total of 689,000. The objective of this project was to scan one million photos total. However, due to shift in priorities, this project was slowed to ensure delivery on the full range of priorities facing the program. As of March 31, 2008 there were 375,000 photos available online.

• Forest Sector Sustainability Table;
• Canadian Council of Forestry Ministers (CCFM); and
• National Forest Sinks Committee.

Also, a 2‑day science-policy workshop took place on October 25–26th, 2007. It gathered several external key players (e.g. provinces and non-government organizations) and more than 20 NRCan staff and led to the development of a synthesis report (below) that builds the case for adaptation.

Ongoing research activities for adaptation to climate change and on climate change impacts with respect to disturbances by wildland fire, forest insects, forest management, air quality and impacts on forest productivity has continued. A number of presentations to conferences of articles on the above topics have been published, including:

• McKenney et al. 2007 – Potential impacts of climate change on the distribution on North American trees. BioScience 57: 939–948; and
• Kurz et al. 2008 – Risk of natural disturbances makes future contribution of Canada's forests to the global carbon cycle highly uncertain. PNAS 105: 1551–1555).

Completion of two synthesis paper on climate change:

• An NRCan synthesis report entitled The Importance of Forest Sector Adaptation to Climate Change is in press. This report provides information on the state of science and builds the case for taking action on adaptation, as well as identifying what is needed to move forward.
• A special report was published jointly in the Summer of 2008 by the Government of Canada and the Network Centre of Excellence: Sustainable Forest Management entitled Climate Change and Canada's Forests: Current and Future Impacts. This document provides guidance on actions NRCan and Canada's forest sector could take with respect to climate change impacts and adaptation.

The CCFM produced the following report Adapting to Climate Change: Exploring a Framework for Action. In addition, a study has been initiated for the identification of science gaps in climate change adaptation and mitigation. A draft version of the science report entitled The Importance of Forest Sector Adaptation to Climate Change was presented to the CCFM Innovation Working Group in mid‑December 2007. Climate change impacts and adaptation was identified as one of the two priorities to be addressed in the draft A Vision for Canada's Forests 2008 and Beyond.

Forest losses are addressed through the provision of balanced social, economic and environmental information and advice

A workshop entitled "Adaptation Action in Arctic Communities" was held in Iqaluit December 2006 and a workshop report was produced. Contribution agreements are in place with the Assembly of First Nations, Canadian Institute of Planners, and Engineers Canada.

The Council of Yukon First Nations and the Assembly of First Nations completed their projects by March 31, 2008. Both used traditional and scientific knowledge to assess the vulnerability of communities and water systems to climate change. The final reports have been delivered to NRCan.

The Canadian Institute of Planners completed their project which resulted in (i) a draft climate change policy that requires its professional members to consider climate change in all their day-to-day planning activities; (ii) preparation of 3 learning modules on adaptation for university-based and in-service training; (iii) 10 fellowships and 5 studio awards were awarded to students in planning programs in Canadian universities; and (iv) two remote community case studies were completed.

The Canadian Council of Professional Engineers delivered an infrastructure assessment report to NRCan.

The level of awareness of climate change among Canadian engineers was measured in a survey conducted by the Canadian Standards Association with support from Infrastructure Canada. The initial survey of planners has been delayed until Fall 2008 due to work required on other project deliverables.

Surficial geology: truthing and field sampling around targeted Nunavut community:

• The first year of field work was completed, including: watershed assessments in Clyde River and Iqaluit; coastal erosion and sea-level rise assessments in Clyde River and Hall Beach; landscape hazard mapping in Clyde River and Iqaluit, vegetation assessments in Clyde River and Iqaluit. The impact of this work is being felt across Nunavut and has led to the involvement of new partners within the territorial government, Indian and Northern Affairs and the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office.
• In addition, 10 scientific reports and presentations on the surficial geology of Nunavut were delivered.

• To avoid duplicating the work of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). CCA is preparing an assessment of gas hydrates that engages Canadian and international experts. CCA's final report is expected in 2008 and will provide valuable information to guide the further development of Canada's strategy.
• To wait for the spring 2008 completion of the current Mallik production tests. These tests will likely provide some answers concerning the extraction and economics of hydrate production.

Postponing the full strategy for one year will allow incorporation of the CCA assessment and the results from the Mallik test.

The progress towards the development of a gas hydrate strategy in 2009:

• The CCA has continued to develop its assessment of gas hydrates as an energy resource. Their report will provide valuable information to further guide development of the strategy.
• The field component of the Mallik production test was successfully completed and the resultant data is being analyzed. Significant sustained gas flow was attained by depressurization, confirming that this might be a viable production technology. This not only directly informs the development of the strategy but will also result in increased engagement of industry, an integral component of the strategy.

Sustainable Forest

Minerals and Metals

Corporate Management

A draft report to be presented to senior management on the status of the EMS for 2007–08 is being prepared. The venue in which this information will be presented has not yet been determined due to the organizational changes taking place within the department.

Completed the overarching draft implementation plan and liaised with other key stakeholders to prepare for finalizing and commencement of implementation over the next reporting period. Progress was made on foundational items for the plan:

1. Specific reference to NRCan's responsibility to comply with the Policy on Green Procurement was included in the updated departmental environmental operations policy statement, which was endorsed by senior management in October 2007. (Reference to the Policy on Green Procurement requirement has also been incorporated into the updated Vehicle Fleet Management Policy.)
2. Completed draft NRCan Green Procurement Guideline and held focus groups with key user groups.

Annual dollar value spent or quantity purchased, and number of contracts issued against the procurement target established.

Identification of environmental outcomes.

These ideas were compiled, analysed, and three areas were found to be appropriate for initial target-setting ideas: paper, internal printing and travel.

Proposed target areas were presented to DMC and achieved endorsement in principle. Completion of this target development will be delayed; finalization of firm performance targets will commence in the next reporting period.