Canada and Agenda
21Canada and Agenda
21
CHAPTER 35
Science for Sustainable Development
-- Environment Canada --
The views epxrtessed in this chapter relfect input from a number of stakeholders and do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada or the Projet de Société.
THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
If we are to prudently manage environment and development issues, there will be an important role for science to play. Science needs to provide the kind of information that will enable better formulation and selection of environment and development policies in the decision-making processes of governments and other organizations.
If science is to play that information-providing role, there will be a need to enhance scientific understanding, improve long-term scientific assessments, strengthen scientific capacities, and ensure that the sciences remain responsive to emerging questions and needs.
This chapter attempts to look at over-arching issues of the role of science in managing sustainable development, recognizing that the specific scientific requirements in different areas are discussed more fully in the relevant Agenda 21 chapters.
PROGRAM AREAS AND OBJECTIVES
The four program areas in this chapter and their more specific objectives are described here.
(1) Strengthening the scientific basis for sustainable management
identify, at the national level, the state of scientific knowledge and research needs and priorities
(2) Enhancing scientific understanding
improve and increase the fundamental understanding of the linkages between human and natural environmental systems
(3) Improving long-term scientific assessment
assess current status and trends in major development and environmental issues, in order to develop alternative strategies for long-term policy formulation
(4) Building up scientific capacity and capability
improve scientific capacities through: education, training and local research facilities in basic environment-related scientific disciplines; increasing the number of women scientists; reducing the exodus of scientists from developing countries; involving scientists in multidisciplinary environmental research etc.
CANADIAN POSITIONS AT RIO
1. Official Canadian Position
It was important for Canada that the final text of the chapter emphasized the need for a stronger interdisciplinary approach ensuring that social sciences and humanities were incorporated into scientific objectives. Moreover, Canada supported close linkages between scientific research and policy development, while recognizing the increasing gap between policy needs and the ability of science to produce answers.
The official Canadian position also sought to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms, rather than creating new organizations. Specifically, Canada supported the new United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which was recently re-established, as the key UN body for this issue, rather than creating a new advisory or coordinating mechanism. Among other objectives, Canada sought to establish long term scientific objectives and principles for cooperation, rather than detailed actions and associated costing. It was thought that the chapter needed to be more focused, providing a framework for action. Canada avoided commitments to specific time frames and to the specific budgets.
2. Non-Governmental Organizations
Not available
3. Business and Industry
The mobilization of science in the movement toward sustainable development is of critical importance to business and industry. Although Canadian business and industry did not make a specific submission for this chapter, they supported the Canadian government position.
4. Indigenous
Indigenous Peoples identified the need for support of the development of Indigenous knowledge institutions to study, document and support Indigenous Peoples in the use of Indigenous knowledge. these institutions must be controlled and managed by Indigenous Peoples to ensure Indigenous knowledge is collected for ethical purposes. The research from Indigenous knowledge may also prove a healthy way of strengthening the Indigenous Peoples as well as being beneficial in re-orienting the Western world, away from its traditional detachment from the natural world, to thinking and acting more realistically about "sustainable living and development."
COMMITMENTS MADE BY CANADIANS
1. Legally-binding Documents
None.
2. Political Pronouncements
In an address at UNCED June 11, 1992, the then Minister of the Environment, Jean Charest, stated that "we have also substantially increased our funding in science and technology, monitoring and reporting systems and information and education. This represents a major investment in our future".
3. Alternative NGO Treaties and Kari-Oca
NGO Treaties
At the same time as UNCED, two major international events were also held at Rio. One was the International Non-Governmental Organization Forum (Global Forum). At the Global Forum, 3,100 NGOs discussed a number of matters related to environment and development and produced a parallel set of documents: an NGO Earth Charter and 38 Alternative NGO Treaties.
A number of these alternative NGO treaties are relevant to this chapter. These include, for example, the Treaty for Environmental Education for Sustainable Societies and Global Responsibility, the Treaty on Technology Bank, the Draft Protocol on Scientific Research Components for the Conservation of Biodiversity, and the Citizens' Commitments on Biotechnology.
Kari-Oca
The second alternative forum at Rio was the International Conference on Territory, Environment and Development (the Kari-Oca Conference). The Kari-Oca Conference was held immediately prior to UNCED by and for the world's indigenous peoples. More than 650 indigenous representatives participated in meetings and cultural events during the conference. They developed and adopted a 109-point Indigenous Peoples Earth Charter.
Within the section, "Culture, Science and Intellectual Property", of the Indigenous Peoples Earth Charter adopted at the Kari-Oca Conference, concern is shown that, "indigenous wisdom must be recognized and encouraged" (paragraph 95) and that "traditions cannot be separated from land, territory or science" (paragraph 97). Traditional knowledge must be considered alongside scientific knowledge in trying to better understand ecological systems and human beings interactions with them.
DEFICIENCIES, GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS WITHIN CHAPTER 35
Chapter 35 clearly emphasizes the need for a stronger interdisciplinary approach ensuring that social sciences and humanities are incorporated into scientific objectives. One of the objectives listed in the section on "enhancing scientific understanding," is the integration of the physical, economic and social sciences in order to understand better the impacts of economic and social behaviour on the environment and of environmental degradation on local and global economies. It is suggested that research be developed and promoted on human, economic and social impacts on, and responses to, environmental changes. However, the chapter fails to provide much detail as to the specific steps involved in promoting such integration. Canada is presently considering the potential of science assessments, risk assessments, and ecological monitoring as integrative tools.
In the same section, specific research priorities are identified for the natural sciences. The text, however, does not list priorities for the social sciences. Identifying priorities might have promoted a consistency of approach and increased the potential for information-sharing among countries.
COMPARISON BETWEEN CURRENT CANADIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY AND COMMITMENTS MADE
Chapter 35 of Agenda 21 embodies one of the major principles of Canada's Green Plan, i.e., that to make wise decisions about our use of the environment, we must know and understand the physical world and its ecosystems, and the ongoing interrelationships between the natural environment and the economy. Chapter 35 encourages countries to prepare an inventory of their natural and social science data holdings relevant to the promotion of sustainable development. This information could then be used to provide scientific assessments of the current situation and allow for assessments of a range of possible future conditions. Under the Green Plan, Canada is establishing a long-term State of the Environment monitoring and assessment capability to study resources at risk, ecosystem responses and the impact of major disruptions on ecosystems. As Chapter 35 suggests, traditional knowledge of the local environment is to be taken into account in these assessments.
In addition to a sound knowledge base, Chapter 35 encourages the development and application of quality-of-life indicators as a tool to enable more concise descriptions of the state of complex environmental systems. As part of the Green Plan, Canada is currently developing a national set of environmental indicators that would help to measure progress in achieving environmental goals. Another tool for sustainable development discussed in the chapter is the use of economic instruments. Again, this is consistent with the federal government's Green Plan which recommends that economic instruments be further studied as a tool for managing environmental problems.
In view of the important role the sciences have to play in dealing with issues of environment and development, Chapter 35 promotes building up scientific capacity and capability. Under the Green Plan, the federal government is committed to revitalizing its research facilities and equipment and to supporting education and training in sciences and technology. Green Plan funds are helping to support the Canadian Global Change Program, which is the national focus for global change information, education and research activity in Canada. Funding is also being provided for programs to help encourage the development, demonstration, commercialization and dissemination of environmentally favourable technologies
CANADIAN ACTIVITIES EVOLVING THROUGH THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS
The Canadian Global Change Program
The Canadian Global Change Program both promotes interdisciplinary research and strengthens the links between scientific results and decision-making. The Program, established under the auspices of the Royal Society of Canada in 1985, receives Green Plan funding. It involves an interdisciplinary and multi-agency network designed to facilitate research and communicate scientific results and ideas to international and national bodies responsible for research and policy development.
Nationally, the Program is linked with key federal-provincial government departments, environmental advisory bodies, the National Round Table on Environment and the Economy; the Steering Committee on the Management of Science and Technology is made up of Federal Assistant Deputy Ministers, and the Canadian Climate Program.
The Program is drawing upon the natural, social and medical sciences, and the humanities in its research. Currently, research is being conducted on the following key global change issues: climate change; energy and resource consumption; air and water pollution; stratospheric ozone depletion; population increase; extinction events; and land and soil degradation.
Canada Signs Agreement on Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
On March 25, 1993, Canada signed the agreement establishing the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Canada is one of the founding parties of the Institute, along with 15 other nations of the Americas.
Science Forum I
Science Forum I, held in Rockland, Ontario, from November 30 to December 3, 1992, was the first time that Environment Canada held a conference attended by researchers, research managers and policy personnel from all parts of the department. Participants discussed emerging issues, how to strengthen interdisciplinary research, and the role of science in departmental decision-making and policy. A second conference is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 1994.
Environmental Indicators
Chapter 35 recommends the development of quality-of-life indicators as a necessary tool for sustainable development. In Canada, work is continuing on the development of a national set of environmental indicators. Selected environmental issues, based on consultations and cooperation with various federal partners, are being targeted for indicator development and improvement over the next few years. To date, work has been initiated in the following issue areas: stratospheric ozone depletion, state of wildlife, toxic contaminants in the environment, state of forests, energy use, climate change, water use, state of marine fish, urban air quality, and biodiversity.
Canada is also actively engaged in international indicator development, in particular, in work related to OECD's country environmental performance reviews. Canada's thorough review and provision of written comments on the OECD's Draft Synthesis Report was cited by the Chairman as an example that other countries were encouraged to follow. Currently, Canada is chairing three technical working groups to elaborate the indicators under the issues of climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and forest resources.
State of Environment Reporting
Chapter 35 recommends assessments of the current status and trends in major development and environment issues. Canada's first national report on the environment was published in 1986. The second national report was released in April 1992. A variety of innovative products based on the report are being pursued including a CD-ROM version and a Teacher's Kit. Work is under way on the third report, which will include a chapter on lifestyle choices and their implications on the environment in a global context.
Many provinces have also developed State of Environment reports at the provincial level.
Biodiversity
Chapter 35 recommends the study of the role of biodiversity and the loss of species in the functioning of ecosystems and the global life-support system. Canada was the first industrialized country to ratify the Biodiversity Convention. The Biodiversity Convention Office is overseeing the implementation of the various requirements of the Convention and is focusing on the development of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy.
At the international level, Canada continues to play an active role in global efforts to ensure implementation of the Convention. Canada has been instrumental in revising guidelines for national biodiversity assessments, is participating in various expert fora on key policy issues and interim activities, is formulating a proposal for financial arrangements under the Global Environmental Facility, and is assisting developing countries to develop their capacity to conserve biodiversity and use biological resources in a sustainable way.
Capacity-Building
Chapter 35 states that one way of building up scientific and technological capacity is through education and training and another is through the development of incentives to encourage research and development. Green Plan funding is available for a number of programs involving environmental research. One example is the Eco-Research Program, which consists of three main components: research grants, university research chairs, and doctoral fellowships. The basic aim of the program is to strengthen Canadian research and training focusing on environmental issues, with particular emphasis on developing greater understanding of critical interactions between humans and the environment and of how these interactions may best be managed. Another example is the Environmental Innovation Program, which provides assistance to qualifying Canadians who have proposals for the research or development of new environmental products or services.
Green Plan funding is also available for the development of new environmentally safe technologies. In 1993, for example, under the Technology for Environmental Solutions Initiative, the federal government, in collaboration with the private sector, academia and other governments, established three National Environmental Technology Advancement Centres. The Centres will provide a comprehensive range of technology transfer services for Canadian developers of environmental technology. The primary client will be the small-to-medium-sized enterprises who supply these technologies to the marketplace, and have the greatest need for these services.
OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED FORA
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
International Geosphere-Biosphere Program
Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Program, International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
World Climate Program
SUGGESTED READINGS AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Environment Canada. 1986 . The State of Canada's Environment. 1st national report.
Environment Canada, Indicators Task Force. 1991. A Report on Canada's Progress towards a
National Set of Environmental Indicators. SOE Report No. 90-1.
Environment Canada. 1992. A Compendium of R&D in Environment Canada. Office of the Science Advisor.
Environment Canada. 1992. The State of Canada's Environment. 2nd national report.
Environment Canada. 1992. Stratospheric Ozone Depletion. SOE Environmental Indicator Bulletin.
Environment Canada. 1992. Science Forum I, Synthesis Report. Office of the Science Advisor.
Environment Canada. 1993. Toxic Contaminants in the Environment. SOE Environmental Indicator Bulletin.
Environment Canada. 1993. Environmental Science and Technology. An Overview. Office of the Science Advisor.
Information Sources:
Biodiversity Convention Office, Conservation and Protection Service, Environment Canada, 10 Wellington St., 5th floor, Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere, Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3, tel (819) 953-6252, fax (819) 953-3557.
Canadian Global Change Program, Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Green Plan Operations, Environment Canada, Terrasses de la Chaudiere, 10 Wellington Street, Hull K1A 0H3, tel (819) 953-7352.
State of Environment Reporting, Environment Canada, Emerald Plaza, 1547 Merivale Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, fax (613) 941-9647.
Cite as: Projet de société: Canada and Agenda 21.Winnipeg: IISD, 1995. Online. Internet. http://iisd.ca/worldsd/canada/projet/c35.htm.
