Canada Energy Regulator – 2022–23 Departmental Plan

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Information plays a role in Canadians’ decisions as Canada transitions towards a low carbon economy. The CER’s Energy Information Program, including the flagship Energy Futures series of outlooks, includes analysis on low-carbon options and scenarios.

The CER confidently enforces some of the strictest safety and environmental standards in the world. Companies have to answer to us every step of the way as energy projects are planned, designed, built, operated and abandoned. Preventing harm is the foundation of how the CER keeps people safe and protects the environment.

The CER is participating in the Canadian Standards Association’s CSA Z662 Hydrogen Task Force, the focus of which is to update the requirements in the CSA Z662 Standard to incorporate pure hydrogen pipelines and hydrogen blended natural gas pipelines.

This program can contribute to advancing the ambition expressed in Canadian Indicator Framework Goal 7.1 and 7.2, “Canadians reduce their energy consumption”

The CER’s mandate and activities contribute to advancing the ambition expressed in Canadian Indicator Framework Goal 7.3, “Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy”

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

The CER is participating in the Canadian Standards Association’s CSA Z662 Hydrogen Task Force, the focus of which is to update the requirements in the CSA Z662 Standard to incorporate pure hydrogen pipelines and hydrogen blended natural gas pipelines.

The CER has initiated a review of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations, which includes an investigation on how the regulation could support innovation, and the development and use of new technologies or best practices.

Developing and preparing to implement environmental protection and safety regulations for offshore renewable energy projects with the Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations initiative, being led by Natural Resources Canada.

These efforts contribute to advancing the ambition expressed in Canadian Indicator Framework Goal 9, “Canadians have access to modern and sustainable infrastructure”

SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

The Canadian Energy Regulator Act specifically commits the Government of Canada to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples during the assessment of designated projects.

This approach supports the Canadian Indicator Framework ambition that “Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced”

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Information plays a role in Canadians’ decisions as Canada transitions towards a low carbon economy. The CER’s Energy Information Program, including the flagship Energy Futures series of outlooks, includes analysis on low-carbon options and scenarios.

This program can contribute to advancing the ambition expressed in Canadian Indicator Framework Goal 13.1, “Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions”