ARCHIVED - National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy - Report

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

This page has been archived.

Message from the President and CEO

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE or Round Table) is an independent policy advisory body reporting to Parliament through the Minister of the Environment. The purpose of the Round Table, according to the NRTEE Act (1993), is “to play the role of catalyst in identifying, explaining, and promoting, in all sectors of Canadian society and in all regions of Canada, principles and practices of sustainable development.”

Drawing on the insight and experience of NRTEE members, the Round Table examines the environmental and economic implications of priority issues and offers integrated advice on how to address them, with the ultimate goal of influencing federal policy development and decisions in other key sectors on these issues. Since its formation over 20 years ago, the NRTEE has established a reputation for working effectively in highly contentious areas and for providing independent, credible, and balanced research and advice. 

The Round Table has established two major policy research priorities for 2011-2012: Climate Prosperity, or the economic risks and opportunities of climate change for Canada, and Water Sustainability and the Natural Resources Sectors.  We plan to complete at least two of the next four policy advisory reports as part of our innovative and comprehensive Climate Prosperity series and advance work on the remainder.  These include assessing the net national economic costs of climate change to Canada under various scenarios, setting out a policy pathway for a national climate adaptation strategy, and setting out a policy pathway for a national low-carbon growth plan.  We plan to complete phase II of our water program with a new policy advisory report on water governance and management.  To support these and other initiatives, we will enhance our strategic communications and stakeholder engagement activities and begin to use social media techniques in our work.

Ongoing priorities for the Round Table will include abiding by its legislated responsibilities under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act, responding to requests from government for research and policy advice on specific topics of concern, and identifying emerging issues for the future that may need study and advice.

Our unique role as a knowledgeable, independent convener of views and information from across the spectrum of society has allowed us to make a substantial contribution to sustainable development and national prosperity. We are committed to assisting the Government of Canada, Parliament, and Canadians in continuing along this path.

 

The original version was signed by
________________________

David McLaughlin
President and CEO

 

Section 1: Overview

1.1 Raison d’être and Responsibilities

The purpose of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE or Round Table) is to play the role of catalyst in identifying, explaining, and promoting, in all sectors of Canadian society and in all regions of Canada, principles and practices of sustainable development. The NRTEE interprets this broad mandate through a strategic focus on issues of national interest at the intersection of the environment and the economy. Through its work, the NRTEE strives to influence policy development and decisions on issues pertaining to the environment and economy. These promote economic prosperity for all Canadians while striving to preserve the environment for current and future generations.

Created in 1988 by the Prime Minister, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy is an independent national advisory body reporting to the federal government and Parliament through the Minister of the Environment (see Figure 1 for the agency’s internal organization and relationship to the federal government).  The Round Table had its status formalized in 1993 by an Act of Parliament, Bill C-72, An Act to establish the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE Act).

The NRTEE is a departmental corporation (Financial Administration Act, Schedule II).

The work of the NRTEE is directed by the Round Table members drawing on their expertise and insight. The members are part-time Governor-in-Council appointees. They represent different regions of Canada and are distinguished leaders from business, labour, universities, public service, and environmental organizations.

A Secretariat in Ottawa, headed by a President and CEO, supports the members. The Round Table normally meets four times each year in plenary sessions where members discuss priorities and review and approve the work of the Secretariat.

General information about the NRTEE and its membership can be found on the agency’s website at www.nrtee-trnee.ca

Figure 1: NRTEE internal organization and relationship to the federal government

[D]

1.2 Strategic Outcome and Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

The NRTEE aims to achieve the following single strategic outcome: Federal policy development and decisions in other key sectors are influenced by advice on sustainable development issues pertaining to the environment and the economy.

This RPP is based on the Treasury Board-approved PAA shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Program Activity Architecture (PAA)—
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy

[D]

1.3 Planning Summary

1.3.1 Financial Resources ($ thousands)

The financial resources table below provides a summary of the total planned spending for the NRTEE for the next three fiscal years.

Total Planned Spending

2011–12	2012–13	2013–14
5,249.2	5,249.2	5,249.2

1.3.2 Human Resources (Full-time Equivalent - FTE)

The Human Resources tables provide a summary of the total planned human resources for the NRTEE for the next three years.

Total Planned Human Resources

2011–12	2012–13	2013–14
30	30	30

1.3.3 Planning Summary Table

Strategic Outcome: Federal policy development and decisions in other key sectors are influenced by advice on sustainable development issues pertaining to the environment and the economy.

Performance Indicator	Targets
Extent to which NRTEE advice is considered in policy decisions by federal decision makers	NRTEE advice is partly responsible for a number of policy decisions and is often considered in assessing relevant policy choices made by federal government policy makers.

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2010–11 ($ thousands)	Planned Spending ($ thousands)			Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
		2011–12	2012–13	2013–14
Advisory Program on Environment and Economy Issues	3,329.0				Strong Economic Growth
Total Planned Spending		3,333.3	3,333.3	3,333.3

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2010–11 ($ thousands)	Planned Spending
		2011–12	2012–13	2013–14
Internal Services	1,914.2	1,915.9	1,915.9	1,915.9

1.4 Alignment with Government of Canada Outcomes

In 2011–2012, the NRTEE will continue to contribute to the Government of Canada’s outcome of Strong Economic Growth by providing relevant research and policy advice on how Canada can address sustainable development issues in the medium and long term.  The NRTEE’s advice, if implemented, is consistent with Canada’s national interest and the government’s objective of building a globally competitive, sustainable, technologically innovative economy that benefits all Canadians.

1.5 Contribution of Priorities to Strategic Outcome

For 2011–2012, the agency has identified two key operational priority areas, both of which contribute to the NRTEE’s single strategic outcome.

Priorities	Type	Links to Strategic Outcome	Description
To produce advice to decision-makers on environment and economy issues	Ongoing	Federal policy development and decisions in other key sectors are influenced by advice on sustainable development issues pertaining to the environment and the economy.	Timely, actionable, and relevant advice is essential to the NRTEE’s credibility and its ability to influence decision makers. Plans for 2011–2012 include two key policy research areas: Climate Prosperity: The NRTEE will release 2-3 further reports in its seven-report series on this issue. Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors: NRTEE will release its Phase II report from this program. (See Section 2 for additional information and other plans.)
To promote advice to decision makers on environment and economy issues	Ongoing	Federal policy development and decisions in other key sectors are influenced by advice on sustainable development issues pertaining to the environment and the economy.	Dissemination and promotion of the NRTEE’s policy advice is an essential component of its work. In addition to the promotion and dissemination of Round Table Reports, there will be a specific focus on strengthening and extending the reach and influence of the NRTEE through a comprehensive strategic communication process and the examination of the use of social media as a communications and engagement tool.  (See Section 2 for additional information.)

 

1.6 Risk Analysis

1.6.1 Organizational Context

The Secretariat, headed by a President and CEO, provides program management, policy and research analysis, communications, and administrative services to the NRTEE.

Issues to be examined by the NRTEE are identified through an internal screening and scoping process, in which the final decisions reflect current policy, environmental, economic or political priorities together with NRTEE members’ combined interests. The NRTEE reinforces members’ expertise and advice with stakeholder consultation and original policy research undertaken or directed by the Secretariat, as part of its approach to conducting its work.

The NRTEE can respond to specific research requests from the federal government. In addition, the Round Table has a legislated responsibility to respond as per the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act to the federal government’s annual Climate Change Plan, within 60 days. This annual reporting requirement exists until 2012.

1.6.2 Risks and Challenges

The NRTEE seeks to influence the government’s approach to important sustainable development issues. To accomplish this, the NRTEE must produce and promote relevant, neutral, credible advice in a timely manner. Its ability to do so is affected by both risks and challenges. These are discussed below.

• A key indicator of the NRTEE’s performance is its ability to influence government policy development. In Canada, particularly for the issues typically examined by the NRTEE, federal policy is not developed in isolation. It is affected by the government’s relationships with other Canadian and international jurisdictions and by a range of other factors over which the NRTEE has no control, creating a complex decision-making environment.
  
  
• The ability to influence government is a difficult performance indicator to measure. In addition to the challenge described above, the NRTEE’s influence on government decisions may translate into action only years after NRTEE’s reports and recommendations are published. Therefore, the causal effect may not always be clear.

The NRTEE often casts its policy agenda forward as it deals with contentious sustainability issues, risking perceived asymmetry with current government agendas, time frames, and policy frameworks.

Independent third-party feedback consistently recognizes the Round Table’s two key strengths and unique elements as its high quality research and its convening power – the ability to create a safe neutral space to discuss difficult issues. These two pillars are critical to the success of the Round Table’s work and thus one of its key risks is reputational.
The composition of the membership of the Round Table is a key element in reviewing research and reports, engaging with stakeholders and in how the Round Table is perceived. A membership not representative both geographically and from a constituency standpoint runs the risk of weakening the reputation of the Round Table and its ability to provide timely, relevant advice. Having sufficient members appointed in a timely manner will help alleviate any such risks.

1.7 Expenditure Profile

The NRTEE’s overall financial resources and expenditures profile is very stable, with only minor fluctuations over time, providing a consistent resource platform for the planning and delivery of activities, research, and reports.

1.8 Estimates by Vote

Estimates by Vote are presented in the 2011–12 Main Estimates which are available here:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/20112012/me-bpd/info/info-eng.asp .

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page