Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2023–2027

On this page

• Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
• Section 2: LAC’s sustainable development vision
• Section 3: Listening to Canadians
• Section 4: LAC’s commitments
• Section 5: Integrating sustainable development

Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in LAC DSDS.

In order to promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators.

Section 2: LAC’s sustainable development vision

LAC is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and to reducing inequalities. It is eager to promote infrastructure that is green, sustainable, climate resistant, welcoming and accessible, where individuals and communities can discover, understand and connect with stories and experiences to which the national collections bear witness. For these reasons and many more, LAC made sustainable development a central value of Vision 2030, which guides the direction it is taking to fulfill its mandate in the coming decade. This value is reflected in its fundamental processes of acquisition, preservation and access to Canada’s documentary heritage, as well as its internal support processes, including equipment and vehicle purchasing, building maintenance and construction, and policy reviews.

As custodian of national collections (archives, publications, works of art and data) for current and future generations, and as custodian of a large special-purpose real property portfolio, LAC supports the FSDS and the UN 2030 Agenda by including users, partners, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities at different stages of these fundamental processes. Through this spirit of collaboration and openness, LAC ensures the acquisition and preservation of collections that reflect all Canadian stories, cultures and experiences, with increased access thanks to innovative, inclusive and efficient services. For example, LAC regularly consults its Indigenous Advisory Circle, consisting of Indigenous experts in archives and libraries from around the country, to get opinions and advice, especially on digitizing content relevant to Indigenous cultures and on the use of appropriate terminology when drafting culturally appropriate and historically accurate content descriptions. The joint facility project with the Ottawa Public Library, Ādisōke, is another tangible opportunity for the public, partners and Indigenous communities to contribute to the project’s design and implementation in order to offer a service centre that speaks to them today and in the future, while advancing reconciliation.

To fulfill its mandate from a sustainable development perspective, LAC's vision includes Canada’s progression as a free and democratic society. By providing access to government documents and to its collections, LAC supports researchers, genealogists, academics, journalists, veterans, individuals and communities who want to learn more about their individual and collective history, or who want justice for historical discrimination. By providing historical information, memory institutions such as LAC support the FSDS and the UN 2030 Agenda, and play an important role in understanding and reducing social inequalities.

As a leader both in Canada and internationally and in cultural and memory institutions, LAC acts as a catalyst that inspires its partners to adopt environmentally sound, economically practical and socially equitable practices to achieve the FSDS SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

With the greening of its Preservation Centre and with its new Preservation Storage Facility, designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, and by maximizing available space, LAC is a source of inspiration. It was invited to share its experience and knowledge in planning and implementing projects designed to preserve documentary heritage in optimal conditions, while reducing the environmental impacts. During its construction, the Preservation Storage Facility became the first federal facility to meet the requirements of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy and was awarded LEED® Gold certification, an independent certification that is recognized as the international mark of excellence for sustainable buildings.

Ādisōke, the joint facility between LAC and the Ottawa Public Library opening in 2026, targets the same level of LEED® certification and a “net-zero carbon” standard. An approach of collaboration, civic involvement, and partnership with the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation has led to a broader vision of the project by incorporating considerations such as greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, environmental preservation for future generations, reconciliation, urban planning, transportation, accessibility, quality of life and social connection. This space will be dedicated to discovering, understanding and connecting with stories that are at the heart of Canadian cultures and identities. It is another convincing example of an inspiring, collaborative project that reflects LAC’s commitment to building infrastructure that is sustainable, socially integrated and accessible to everyone, through all transportation methods.

Section 3: Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, LAC has taken into account comments on the draft 2022–2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022. During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.

What we heard

LAC has identified sustainable development priorities and issues of concern. Among the comments gathered by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Sustainable Development Office, LAC noted that Canadians appear to be engaged, and underscore that SDG 13, Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, is a top priority. Reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights and independence are also important themes. Some participants believe that Indigenous history, culture and rights should be considered as dimensions of sustainable development. Many noted that people and communities are at the heart of sustainable development, and that the strategy should put more focus on that fact by giving examples of “on the ground” projects that help progress sustainable development in Canada.

What we did

LAC considered the key priorities and questions set out in the current DSDS by drawing attention to additional dimensions of sustainable development i.e. valuing the perspectives and international rights of Indigenous Peoples, as stated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

LAC has a crucial role to play in respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. As the institution responsible for preserving the memory of the Government of Canada, LAC holds an incredible wealth of information that will help define and protect First Nations, Inuit and Métis ancestral and treaty rights. It also holds documents that bear witness to human rights violations, such as those committed under the Indian Residential School system. By giving access to these documents, LAC asserts the rights of First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation to know the truth about their individual and collective histories and supports the healing and reconciliation processes, in addition to raising Canadians’ awareness of this reality.

LAC also recognizes the importance of doing its part to deal with climate change by putting in place measures to mitigate climate change and its impact on the economy, the environment and society. As custodian of a real property portfolio, LAC plays an important role in reducing its buildings’ GHG emissions by offering sound and sustainable spaces to house its vast and ever-growing collections, gathered since the creation of the Dominion of Canada archives in 1872, and to welcome and gather people and communities interested in discovering and understanding them.

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.

Section 4: LAC’s commitments

Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action on inequality

FSDS Context

Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples while preserving, digitizing and giving access to its collections relating to Indigenous Peoples is an integral part of LAC’s mandate. The initiatives put in place in recent years, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, help preserve and restore Indigenous cultures and identities, and reduce certain barriers to accessing historical documents.

The Listen, Hear Our Voices program supports Indigenous communities in digitizing their existing documentary heritage and in acquiring the necessary competencies, knowledge and resources to complete this work. The We Are Here: Sharing Stories initiative aims to digitize and describe the content of LAC’s Indigenous collections. Additional digitization initiatives contribute to the healing process for communities and survivors of the federal Indian Residential and Day School systems. While documents pertaining to residential schools have already been digitized, the current initiative concentrates on digitizing and creating culturally appropriate descriptions of millions of pages of documents pertaining to day schools. These initiatives also help non-Indigenous people better understand Indigenous cultures and their past and make LAC collections more inclusive and representative of Canadian society.

LAC’s initiatives respond to specific obligations in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 69, linked to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Joinet-Orentlicher principles.

Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities.

Target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act	Departmental action 1: Provide Indigenous cultural competency training and/or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Program: Outreach and support to communities	Performance indicator 1.1: Number of different trainings offered annually to LAC employees to develop their Indigenous cultural competency or to better understand the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Starting point: 7 in 2019–2020. Target: 2 different trainings by March 31, 2024.	Public servants are in a unique position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This action encourages public servants to increase their cultural competencies and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation in Canada, as well as their knowledge of the UN Declaration. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competencies and knowledge to implement the UN Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
		Performance indicator 1.2: Number of LAC employees who participated in training to develop their Indigenous cultural competency or to better understand the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Starting point: Not available. The new Indigenous cultural awareness plan begins in 2023–2024. Target: 250 by March 31, 2024.
	Departmental action 2: Consult and cooperate with Indigenous Peoples in developing new or amended laws, regulations, policies and programs. Program: Outreach and support to communities	Performance indicator 2: Number of meetings held annually with the Indigenous Advisory Circle. Starting point: 2 meetings in 2021–2022. Target: 3 meetings annually.	LAC, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, takes the necessary steps to ensure that its policies, programs, initiatives and processes are aligned with the Declaration. LAC’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, created in 2018, comprises First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation from across the country who have expertise in archives, libraries and other heritage institutions. The members come from national, regional and community-based organizations. They advise on the various cultural perspectives of Indigenous Peoples. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
	Departmental action 3: Include reconciliation considerations in business processes and activities. Program: Outreach and support to communities	Performance indicator 3: Extent to which the five-year action plan for Indigenous heritage is updated. Starting point: The action plan was launched in 2019. Target: The action plan will be updated by March 31, 2024.	LAC's five-year action plan for Indigenous heritage includes 28 actions aimed at recognizing Indigenous rights and increasing access to its collection. Prepared in collaboration with the Indigenous Advisory Circle, this plan represents LAC's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action and demonstrates its commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
	Departmental action 4: Digitize and describe Indigenous content in collections and make it discoverable through culturally appropriate descriptions. Program: Acquisition and processing of government records	Performance indicator 4.1: Number of pages about Indian Day Schools digitized. Starting point: 8,080 pages digitized in 2022–2023. Target: 6 million pages by March 2025.	As part of the horizontal initiative: Implementing the Federal Framework to Address the Legacy of Residential Schools, LAC aims to provide access to Government of Canada records about the federal Indian Day School system. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
		Performance indicator 4.2: Percentage of digitized documents about Indian Day Schools described according to a culturally appropriate approach. Starting point: 0% in 2022–2023. The description of digitized documents under the federal initiative begins in 2023–2024. Target: 100% of documents digitized under this initiative by March 2025.
	Departmental action 5: Include Indigenous considerations in the corporate planning function for procurement and investment planning at every contract award.	Performance indicator 5: Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses. Starting point: Not applicable. Data from 2023–2024 will serve as a starting point. Target: 5% (annual target).	LAC supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to award contracts to Indigenous businesses each year. It established its target based on historical contracting and availability of Indigenous suppliers in typical contracting areas of the organization. LAC also works closely with Shared Services Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada to identify opportunities for Indigenous businesses. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target: 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

FSDS Context

As custodian of a real property portfolio, LAC manages its buildings strategically for the benefit of all Canadians. Sustainable development considerations are taken into account and applied. LAC plans the construction and maintenance of its facilities to satisfy requirements for the preservation of collections and greening of practices that contribute to reducing GHG emissions.

In the last few years, LAC has undertaken two major projects for the construction of new facilities. In doing so, it took measures to reduce the environmental impact of associated waste: the new Preservation Storage Facility exceeded the target objective for construction and demolition waste diversion. LAC is working to ensure that the future joint facility with the Ottawa Public Library, Ādisōke, exceeds the new objective of 90% for construction and demolition waste diversion.

LAC also supports efforts to transform the federal government’s vehicle fleet. LAC will replace one of the five vehicles in its light-duty fleet during this DSDS cycle. The new van used to transport collections will be a zero-emission electric vehicle. As for the administrative vehicle, it will be replaced as per the Policy on Green Procurement and based on the purchase of a hybrid or zero-emission vehicle, when it comes to the end of its life cycle. In addition, by facilitating flexible work arrangements such as a hybrid telework and on-site work arrangement, LAC helps reduce emissions from employees’ daily transportation.

For several years now, information and communication technologies (ICT) have become central to work practices, and the use of paper and printing has decreased. In the global context of an ever-growing use of ICT, taking into account its operational needs and Canadians’ expectations, LAC has adopted a responsible approach for purchasing electronic equipment and managing e-waste to mitigate the environmental impact of ICT.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption.

Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Maximize diversion of waste from landfill	Departmental action 1: Complete waste audits for large buildings and report annual rate of diversion of non-hazardous operational waste from a landfill. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 1: Percentage by weight of non-hazardous operational waste in Crown-owned buildings diverted from a landfill. Starting point: 79% in 2022–2023. Target: Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030See note i.	Reducing the production of non-hazardous operational waste will help reduce scope 3 emissions related to the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfills reduces GHG emissions and emissions from transport. Recovering materials through recycling reduces emissions from the extraction and production of virgin materials. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita. GIF Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
	Departmental action 2: Extend the useful life of electronic equipment and diverting e-waste to landfills. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 2: Percentage of surplus electronic equipment LAC has disposed of in an environmentally appropriate manner (equipment donated to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program and other programs combined with equipment provided to certified recyclers). Starting point: 100% in 2022–2023. 90% of equipment was donated. 10% of equipment (batteries, power supplies, etc.) was given to certified recyclers). Target: 100% (annually). 90% of equipment will be donated. 10% of equipment will be given to certified recyclers	Maximizing the reuse of electronic devices and using provincial recycling programs, when available, help divert waste from landfills and therefore reduce GHG emissions generated by landfill waste and by the extraction of raw materials and production of new electronic devices. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita. GIF Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Maximize diversion of waste from landfill	Departmental action 3: Complete waste audits for large buildings and report the annual rate of diversion of all construction and demolition waste from landfills. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 3: Percentage by weight of construction and demolition waste in Crown-owned buildings diverted from landfills. Starting point: 83.3% in 2021–2022. Federal target: Divert at least 90% (by weight) of construction and demolition waste from landfills by 2030.	Reducing the production of construction and demolition waste will help reduce scope 3 emissions relating to the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfills reduces GHG emissions and emissions from transport. Recovering materials through recycling reduces emissions from the extraction and production of virgin materials. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita. GIF Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Transform the federal light-duty fleet	Departmental action 4: Ensure new light-duty (administrative) vehicles that are purchased are zero-emission or hybrid vehicles. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 4: Percentage of light-duty (administrative) vehicles that are zero-emission or hybrid vehicles. Starting point: 0% in 2022–2023. Target: 20% by March 2024 (one of the five vehicles in LAC’s light-duty vehicles will be replaced by a zero-emission electric vehicle).	Purchasing zero-emission or hybrid vehicles reduces GHG emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.1.1 Proportion of new light duty vehicle registrations that are zero-emission vehicles. GIF Target 12.1 Implement the 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
Strengthen green procurement criteria	Departmental action 5: Ensure all procurement and materiel management specialists are trained in green procurement (e.g., Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement or equivalent) within one year of being appointed. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 5: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement. Starting point: In 2022–2023, 100% of procurement and materiel management specialists are trained in green procurement. Target: 100% of procurement and material management specialists are trained in green procurement (annual target).	Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.2.1 Percentage of businesses that adopted environmental protection activities and management practices. GIF Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
	Departmental action 6: Ensure the procurement and materiel management framework includes sustainable development considerations. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 6: The procurement and material management framework is in place. Starting point: Not applicable. Target: March 31, 2025.	A responsible and sustainable procurement framework will support the maintenance of integrated procurement and material management practices where considerations related to sustainable development will be decisive. This framework will guide decisions and processes to reduce the environmental impact of goods and services. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF Indicator 12.2.1 Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices. GIF Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS Context

As custodian of its real property portfolio, LAC advances a whole-building design approach to achieve sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint. The new Preservation Storage Facility, opened in 2022, was the first Government of Canada building to meet Greening Government Strategy requirements. Just like that new building, the Ādisōke facility seeks to be “net-zero carbon” and receive Gold certification from the LEED® Green Building Rating System. The construction materials being used are more environmentally friendly and sourced locally. For example, the concrete mix contains a higher proportion of recycled materials and stone, which requires less energy to produce.

With respect to the greening of existing buildings, in 2021–2022, LAC assessed three of its five facilities to identify ways to reduce carbon emissions. These studies offered opportunities for improvement to reach net-zero emissions.

For major building retrofits under its responsibility, LAC will prioritize low carbon and climate resilience. Investment decisions will be informed by an analysis of potential GHG reductions, based on a 40-year life cycle and a shadow carbon cost of $300 per tonne. Ultimately, investment decisions will also be based on climate change risk assessments. In April 2023, LAC began a climate risk and vulnerability assessment for its portfolio. The final results, expected in November 2023, will be used to plan medium- and high-risk mitigation strategies by March 2024.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience.

Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings	Departmental action 1: All new buildings (including public-private partnerships) will be net-zero carbon unless a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis indicates net-zero-carbon-ready construction. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 1: Percentage change in GHG emissions from real property over fiscal year 2005–2006. Starting point: 2,954 tonnes of CO2 in 2005–2006 (2,751 tonnes of CO2 in 2021–2022). Federal target: 40% reduction by 2024–2025 over fiscal year 2005–2006 (1,772 tonnes of CO2)See note ii.	Actions seeking to rationalize the portfolio, share facilities, reduce the demand for energy or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in GHGs from real property operations. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 12 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change. CIF Indicator 13.1.1 GHG emissions. GIF Target 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits	Departmental action 2: Incorporate GHG emissions reduction into the departmental decision-making process using GHG options analysis methodology for major renovations and any other real property project that affects energy consumption. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 2: Percentage of major projects or major building retrofits (over $2.5M in value) where the business case assessed GHG reduction options using the $300 shadow price for carbon provided by TBS. Starting point: 0%. Beginning in 2023, these options will be assessed in business cases. Target: 100% by 2026.	Actions seeking to rationalize the portfolio, share facilities, reduce the demand for energy or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in GHGs from real property operations. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 13.1 Canadians reduce their GHG emissions. CIF Target 13.1.1 By 2030, reduce Canada’s total GHG emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels.

Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator Starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS
Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations	Departmental action 3: Assess the risk of climate change impacts on mission critical assets and, where there are moderate to high risks, develop plans to reduce the risk. Program: Internal services	Performance indicator 3: Percentage of the seven buildings under LAC’s custody and responsibility for which the risk of climate change impacts is assessed. Starting point: 0%. In April 2023, LAC began assessing climate and vulnerability risks for its real property portfolio. Target: 100% by 2026.	Assessing the risk of climate change impacts on mission-critical assets and developing plans to reduce such risk decreases the risk of disrupting critical service delivery to Canadians. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change. CIF Indicator 13.1.1 Proportion of municipal organizations that factor climate change adaptation into their decision-making process. GIF Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

Section 5: Integrating sustainable development

In addition to the measures LAC is taking to realize the previously stated objectives, we would like to highlight some additional activities that are in keeping with the Government of Canada's efforts to implement its vision of sustainable development.

LAC's mandate supports sustainable development and its cultural objectives in that it preserves and promotes the country's culture and heritage to ensure access for current and future generations. And, conversely, LAC integrates sustainable development into its activities, programs and internal processes. For example, LAC evaluates and re-evaluates the government records and private archives it acquires and already has in its custody to retain only those of historical interest. This contributes to the sustainable use of limited space and better stewardship of public funds.

Other examples illustrate efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the processes underlying certain services.

As of December 2022, when LAC processes Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests for records held at its Government Records Centre in Winnipeg, it does the work on site, instead of sending the records to its branches in the National Capital Region or elsewhere for scanning and analysis under ATIP legislation. In addition, the expanded use of Government of Canada Secret Infrastructure reduces the need to physically send records to the departments consulted for ATIP requests. Clients also now have more opportunities to submit their requests online and receive a response digitally, reducing the total number of paper requests received and delivered on paper or CD-ROM.

Many activities are held virtually or via a hybrid model: outreach and engagement to raise awareness of the national collections, collaboration with partners, sharing of expertise and knowledge, events such as the information management symposium, the annual meeting with the community of provincial and territorial archivists, etc. These all help mitigate the carbon footprint.

LAC supports the efforts of internal partners by educating employees about sustainable development initiatives and achievements. At in-person organizational events, employees are encouraged to bring their own beverages, cups or containers. The unnecessary use of single-use plastics in LAC operations and at LAC events and meetings is now prohibited.

Lastly, LAC will continue to ensure its decision-making process includes sustainable development considerations. It has no plans to conduct a strategic environmental assessment. However, it will do so should sustainable development factors need to be considered and highlighted as part of its Real Property Portfolio Strategy, a major project, a policy or budget proposal, a memorandum to Cabinet or a Treasury Board submission.