Greening Defence
The Department of National Defence (DND) follows multiple environmental and climate-related regulations, programs, and policy priorities when conducting its daily operations.
Here you will find examples of the federal and departmental greening initiatives that guide our decision-making and activities as responsible stewards of the environment.
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Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy 2023-2027
The Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy 2023-2027 (DCSS) provides direction and renewed targets to improve DND’s environmental footprint and response to a changing climate. To continue evolving as a sustainable and climate resilient organization, the DCSS upholds our commitment to:
- contribute to federal greening targets;
- mitigate and adapt to climate change;
- maintain sustainable real property;
- strengthen green procurement processes.
The DCSS also supports the Greening Government Strategy (GGS) commitments to transition to net-zero emissions and climate-resilient operations, while reducing environmental impacts beyond carbon to include waste, water, and biodiversity.
The GGS targets the entire Government of Canada portfolio, including real property, procurement, mobility and fleets, and more. With this whole-of-government approach, the GGS sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal operations:
- by 40% below 2005 levels by 2025 from real property and conventional light-duty fleets;
- to reach net-zero by 2050.
As stated in Canada’s updated defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free, the accelerating pace of climate change will create new security challenges, and magnify existing ones at home and around the world. Identifying potential climate impacts, assessing our vulnerabilities, and taking steps to minimize their severity may limit the effects of climate change on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations and readiness as climate events increase in frequency and intensity.
Greening Infrastructure and Equipment
As the largest user of energy and the single largest emitter of GHG in the federal government, DND plays a key role in helping the Government of Canada reach its net-zero targets. Our climate change mitigation measures include net-zero emissions and procurement of real property, conventional light-duty fleets and our national safety and security fleet (NSSF). The CAF are developing decarbonization plans for the NSSF that include the use of low-carbon fuels.
The Government of Canada facilitates the procurement of construction materials with lower embodied carbon and that enables the practice of greener construction techniques. Other measures related to real property include contracts to enhance energy performance, upgrades to heating plants, disposal of surplus buildings, and improved energy management at defence establishments across the country.
DND applies the principles of green procurement by integrating environmental considerations in its materiel acquisition and support policies, decision-making processes and practices, as reflected in the Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD) 3015-0, Green Procurement.
The Standard on the Disclosure of GHG Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets, published by the Treasury Board (TB) Secretariat, ensures that procurements over $25 million require suppliers to measure, disclose and reduce their GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, by participating in the Net-Zero Challenge or equivalent.
The TB Standard on Embodied Carbon in Construction establishes the requirements to disclose and reduce the embodied carbon footprint of construction projects valued at more than $5 million and that use more than 100m3 of ready-mix concrete.
Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Science and Technology Strategy
Developed by Defence Research and Development Canada, the Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Science and Technology (CRESST) strategy identifies ways DND and the CAF can use science and technology (S&T) to improve their plans and processes.
It identifies ways in which S&T efforts can help mitigate our environmental impacts, while also supporting the adaptation of our infrastructure, workforce, and all orders of business to become more sustainable and climate resilient.
The strategy enables DND and the CAF to leverage S&T efforts in contributing to departmental and Government of Canada climate change and sustainability targets and commitments.
Environmental Management System
DND has developed and operates within an environmental management system (EMS) in line with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 EMS Standard.
This system lets us integrate environmental performance measures and practices in our daily operations and business management strategies. Guided by DAOD 4003-0, Environmental Protection and Stewardship, the EMS provides a single framework for both DND and the CAF to facilitate the implementation of environmental legislative and policy requirements.
The Defence Environment and Sustainable Management Program manages our legislative, regulatory and policy requirements related to environment and climate change. The program also includes the management of contaminated sites and legacy sites with unexploded ordnances.
Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment
The Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) requires that federal departments complete a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for proposals submitted to the Cabinet or TB Ministers for approval. Completed by relevant specialists within DND, the assessment also considers socio-economic factors. Examples of proposals that would require a SEA include large military equipment procurements and major capital construction projects.
SEAs inform decision-making when used early in the development of a proposal. The environmental impact assessment provides guidance to decision-makers so they may modify their proposals to either minimize or eliminate negative environmental impacts and optimize the positive impacts of their policies, plans and programs on the environment.
DND ensures that its SEAs consider the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) goals and targets when developing its proposals. Public statements on DND assessments results are published after an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. This is to demonstrate that the environmental effects of the approved policy, plan or program, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, have been considered during proposal development and decision-making.
Environmental Toxics and Pollutants
Substances that pose a risk to the environment or to human health are regularly evaluated by the Government of Canada. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) governs a variety of environmental matters such as air and water pollution, waste management and toxic substances, for the protection of the environment and human health. It guides the assessment of regulated substances to verify and reduce their potential risk.
At DND, environmental requirements for these substances can apply whether they are a product, form part of a product or are emissions generated from various activities. We implement regulatory controls and policy commitments for the safe and effective management of these substances to better protect of the environment and human health.
Examples of these substances include asbestos in military equipment parts and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in some Class B firefighting foams known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). In February 2020, DND published a Canadian Forces General message (CANFORGEN – available only on the Defence Team Intranet) prohibiting the purchase of new PFAS products and its use for training and firefighting system testing.
Firefighting Foam Transition
The Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations made under CEPA prohibits the manufacture, use, sale, and import of certain toxic substances, and products containing them, with a few exemptions. These include certain PFAS which can be found in AFFF. Amendments to the existing regulatory controls, expected to be published in 2025, would require a cross-Canadian transition from the use of specific AFFF.
DND previously transitioned from AFFF containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). While the remaining AFFF does not contain PFOS, most of our inventory contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is another type of PFAS. DND has limited the use of AFFF to emergencies only, while approved military alternatives become available.
DND continues to work toward the transition from all AFFF toward alternative fire-suppressing substances such as fluorine-free foams. Multiple requirements need to be met to allow for this transition, including departmental, national and international standards for military use and interoperability with our Allies. These new substances, developed by industry, will also need to meet fire protection performance regulations and safety requirements. DND’s transition from AFFF includes:
- modifications to current equipment and purchase of new equipment;
- infrastructure upgrade projects such as for hangar sprinkler systems;
- revision and provision of additional training and safe handling procedures;
- other related protocols to ensure that DND continues to provide fire protection on its bases and wings as well as in neighbouring communities where Mutual Aid Agreements are in place.
Management of contaminated sites
As one of the largest government departments, DND is currently responsible for 952 federal contaminated sites across its real property portfolio, of which 116 are suspected and 631 are active.
Defence manages its contaminated sites consistent with TB policy, by prioritizing sites based on human health and environmental risks using approved criteria, developing and implementing management strategies, executing projects, and reporting on results.
Defence will continue to leverage the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan to clean up contaminated sites to reduce its environmental liability related to real property.
Land conservation and protection of species at risk
DND and the CAF operate on lands and bodies of water across Canada that provide habitat for many species of flora and fauna, including those considered endangered or at risk. By complying with legislation, such as the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECM), we commit to protecting the environment by managing our operational impact in a responsible and sustainable manner.
SARA provides commitment to biodiversity by legislating the protection of wildlife species and the conservation of their biological diversity. The goal is to prevent species in Canada from becoming extinct or extirpated (extinct in the wild) because of human activity, and to secure the necessary actions for their recovery.
The Species at Risk program draws on sound scientific research, Indigenous and community knowledge, and socio-economic and stakeholder considerations when carrying out its conservation activities.
OECMs are a national tool for conservation, created through a collaboration between federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments and Indigenous peoples. Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines and standards, OECMs consist of geographically defined areas that are not protected areas or parks. Examples include military training areas such as Canadian Forces Base Shilo, native prairie grasslands managed for cattle production, or watershed protection areas around major cities.
DND signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada to manage its activities in order to protect the environment and species at risk on DND lands.
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