Sustainable Development Strategy – 2001-2003

Executive Summary

What is a Sustainable Development Strategy?

An international plan for sustainable development was endorsed at the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Sustainable development became an integral element of Canadian Government policy in 1995. Since then, federal government departments have been required to prepare three-year strategies, indicating how they plan to work toward sustainable development. DFO is building upon the lessons learned in its first strategy in 1997 to produce the best possible Strategy for 2001 through 2003.

DFO's commitment to Sustainable Development

A new policy statement expresses DFO's commitment to support sustainable development. The policy states that DFO undertakes to integrate economic, environmental and social considerations in our decision-making. It incorporates the Department's Vision statement and is inspired by our commitment to continuous learning and cost-effective achievement of results.

DFO's sustainable development goals for 2001-2003 will be oriented to change, confirming and continuing the new strategic directions for the Department. Our aim is to move effectively toward making a difference specifically in the area of DFO's responsibilities as well as contributing to the broad sustainable development objectives of the Government of Canada.

Themes

The nature of DFO's mandate means that sustainable development is relevant to almost everything that DFO does. To be more effective, however, we plan to concentrate our efforts during 2001-2003 by highlighting key directions. The following are the four themes DFO will focus on to support sustainable development for the next three years.

• New Forms of Governance and Shared Stewardship
  The concept of sustainable development promotes integration, achieved through new ways of making decisions that seek to recognize the complex interrelationships within and between aspects traditionally characterized as the environmental, the economic and the social or cultural. Such an approach to making decisions constitutes a profound commitment to change on the part of both government and society. The changing expectations of both government and society will have to be embodied in new forms of governance. Four target outcomes will fall under this theme.
   
• Knowledge and Technology for Sustainable Development
  Adapting quickly to increasing complexity and interdependence in a dynamic operating environment is increasing the need for new research, finding new ways of organizing and communicating knowledge, identifying new sources and different types of knowledge and developing and using new technologies. Eleven target outcomes will help us to develop this theme.
   
• Sustainable Operations
  Work will continue on reducing the environmental impact of DFO's operations through the implementation of an Environmental Management System within DFO that is consistent with internationally recognized environmental management standards, e.g. ISO 14001. DFO has identified 23 aspects that leave an environmental footprint. Five target outcomes under this theme will make DFO a "greener" department.
   
• Managing for Progress and Performance
  Performance assessment of sustainable development goals and outcomes will be part of the new performance measurement system being developed to support reporting to the public and to Parliament and to strengthen an organizational culture in DFO in which achievement of results will drive decision-making. One broad target outcome of systematic review of progress and measurement of performance against commitments will improve the management of this Strategy and Action Plan.

Why are these commitments important?

Working within DFO, and with partners in the public and private sectors, to achieve the horizontal goals of the Sustainable Development Strategy will have beneficial impacts on Canada's aquatic environment and resources and our economic prosperity. The benefits include improving marine safety, preventing pollution, better understanding and use of scientific research resources and protection of fish habitat. DFO is committed to seek safe, healthy, productive waters and aquatic ecosystems, for the benefit of present and future generations, by maintaining the highest possible standards of service to Canadians, through marine safety and environmental protection; scientific excellence; and conservation and sustainable resource use. That is DFO's Vision and this Strategy and Action Plan is one of the ways the Department is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainable development.

Conclusion

The Action Plan chosen by DFO is selective and focuses on areas where the Department can be most effective. In addition to the 21 target outcomes, work will continue in other areas that complement the new Sustainable Development Strategy. Managing and protecting Canada's oceans and freshwater resources is a task of immense importance for Canada's economic prosperity and our quality of life, now and in the future.