| Abstract | The 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) report details the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) progress on its 2023 to 2027 DSDS commitments and how the department is contributing to the Government of Canada's Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), which aims to support all 3 dimensions of sustainable development—social, economic and environmental.
Sustainability is a key research and innovation priority for the NRC, as highlighted in the new NRC 2024-2029 Strategic Plan: Research Powering Innovation for Canada. As Canada takes steps to address climate change, increase climate resilience and transition to a prosperous green economy, the NRC is playing an important role in applying its research and innovation capabilities to develop solutions for these problems. In fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, the NRC has made a significant contribution to its 59 DSDS sustainability commitments, ranging from working with Indigenous and Northern partners to develop technologies for better food security and community mental health, to advancing research in battery material discovery and process optimization.
The breadth and diversity of the NRC's capabilities are making a difference in 12 of Canada's FSDS goals, including:
-Zero hunger: working with partners to develop technologies to improve Canada's food systems
-Good health and well-being: developing technologies to improve Northern and Arctic health resources
-Quality education: increasing Northern and Indigenous R&D capacity
-Clean water and sanitation: working with Indigenous and Northern partners on projects to improve water and sewage services
-Affordable and clean energy: advancing research in battery material discovery and process optimization to support Canada's battery supply chain
-Decent work and economic growth: assisting Canadian SMEs in developing and commercializing their clean technologies
-Industry, innovation and infrastructure: developing new building standards and guidance documents to mitigate climate change risks
-Reduced inequalities: delivering software to communities to support the preservation of Indigenous languages
-Sustainable cities and communities: developing new black carbon measurement instruments to support the reduction of harmful air pollutants
-Responsible consumption and production: working with partners to decarbonize the aviation sector
-Climate action: reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the NRC's real property portfolio
-Life below water: developing modelling and monitoring tools to better understand and predict climate change impacts on oceans and estuaries
-Life on land: assessing how NRC properties support biodiversity
The NRC remains committed to sustainable development and, through its targeted research and innovation activities, is effectively addressing the commitments outlined in its 2023 to 2027 DSDS and supporting Canada's progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through continued dedication to these goals, the NRC is supporting a sustainable future for all Canadians. |
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