Greening Defence & GBA+

Requirements.

The Dept. of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) supports the low-carbon targets set forth by the Government of Canada and outlined in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy with commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from the 2005 levels by 2025 and conceivably net-zero by 2050. This has been mandated in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged and implemented by the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES).

Requirements involve less energy waste by ensuring systems and processes are in place that measure performance to reduce demand and increase efficiency and conservation; cleaner energy from more sustainable energy sources, such as hydro, wind and solar and lower emissions; mitigating climate change risks by assessing and adapting programs, critical infrastructure, operational and non-operational activities, and training; minimizing environmental footprint by reducing impacts to land, air and water from the infrastructure portfolio, commercial and operational fleets, and equipment.

Opportunities.

Market opportunities are prevalent and growing. As the largest emitter of GHG emissions in the federal government, DND and CAF have taken a leadership role in reducing GHG emissions from its infrastructure and commercial light-duty vehicle fleets through energy efficiency, climate change preparedness, sustainable real property, and green procurement where feasible.

Target opportunities are currently available in improved energy efficiency at CAF bases and wings with reduced reliance on diesel fuel generated power and clean energy procurement that requires 100% clean electricity by 2022, where available, and by 2025 at the latest through production or purchase. Potential opportunities for wind and solar power generation and smart buildings construction that is LEED and Three Green Globe certified and aligns with The Green Building Directive and the Canadian Forces Housing Agency. Modernization of the commercial light-duty vehicle fleet with a zero-emission vehicle procurement target of 50% by 2023 offers potential opportunities for dual-use green aviation technologies, such as battery charging, recycling, and disposal infrastructure. Sustainable aviation fuel supply chains across Canada that meets military technical requirements and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards for interoperability offers further opportunity for clean military fleet fuel and operations.

Consulting.

Consulting services are offered in green procurement practices. Government of Canada's Policy on Green Procurement directs the DND and other federal departments and agencies to integrate environmental considerations into the procurement decision-making processes for all goods and services purchased. Value for money and a lifecycle approach are key components of green procurement and proposal evaluations depend on the bidder understanding key environmental issues of its offering, demonstrating environmental features of its offering, providing information on corporate environmental policies and practices, and verifying that environmental specifications and standards are met before submittal. Environmental evaluation factors and indicators can involve operational costs of environmental resources, such as water and energy consumption, indirect environmental costs, such as excessive radiant heat, refurbished and/or recycled parts, recyclability, disposal cost and hazardous waste, environmental certifications, and locally sourced.

Greening Defence

The Dept. of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) supports the low-carbon targets set forth by the Government of Canada and outlined in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy with commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from the 2005 levels by 2025 and conceivably net-zero by 2050. This has been mandated in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged and implemented by the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES).

Requirements involve less energy waste by ensuring systems and processes are in place that measure performance to reduce demand and increase efficiency and conservation; cleaner energy from more sustainable energy sources, such as hydro, wind and solar and lower emissions; mitigating climate change risks by assessing and adapting programs, critical infrastructure, operational and non-operational activities, and training; minimizing environmental footprint by reducing impacts to land, air and water from the infrastructure portfolio, commercial and operational fleets, and equipment.

Market opportunities are prevalent and growing. As the largest emitter of GHG emissions in the federal government, DND and CAF have taken a leadership role in reducing GHG emissions from its infrastructure and commercial light-duty vehicle fleets through energy efficiency, climate change preparedness, sustainable real property, and green procurement where feasible.

Target opportunities are currently available in improved energy efficiency at CAF bases and wings with reduced reliance on diesel fuel generated power and clean energy procurement that requires 100% clean electricity by 2022, where available, and by 2025 at the latest through production or purchase. Potential opportunities for wind and solar power generation and smart buildings construction that is LEED and Three Green Globe certified and aligns with The Green Building Directive and the Canadian Forces Housing Agency. Modernization of the commercial light-duty vehicle fleet with a zero-emission vehicle procurement target of 50% by 2023 offers potential opportunities for dual-use green aviation technologies, such as battery charging, recycling, and disposal infrastructure. Sustainable aviation fuel supply chains across Canada that meets military technical requirements and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards for interoperability offers further opportunity for clean military fleet fuel and operations.

Consulting services are offered in green procurement practices. Government of Canada's Policy on Green Procurement directs the DND and other federal departments and agencies to integrate environmental considerations into the procurement decision-making processes for all goods and services purchased. Value for money and a lifecycle approach are key components of green procurement and proposal evaluations depend on the bidder understanding key environmental issues of its offering, demonstrating environmental features of its offering, providing information on corporate environmental policies and practices, and verifying that environmental specifications and standards are met before submittal. Environmental evaluation factors and indicators can involve operational costs of environmental resources, such as water and energy consumption, indirect environmental costs, such as excessive radiant heat, refurbished and/or recycled parts, recyclability, disposal cost and hazardous waste, environmental certifications, and locally sourced.

Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

Diverse perspectives and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is a key consulting service that is offered by Aero Polaris Consulting Ltd. by directly engaging, surveying, and evaluating companies that exercise gender equality and other similar policies that are committed to upholding comprehensive identity factors, such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability. GBA+ is integrated throughout all defence activities across the DND and CAF, from the design and implementation of personnel support programs and services to equipment procurement and operational planning. DND and CAF are fully committed to using GBA+ in the development, execution, and evaluation of operations, policies and programs and it is an integral component of Canada’s defence policy, Strong Secure, Engaged.

Exemplary companies with programs that instil workforce diversity and inclusiveness include Boeing’s ‘Women Make Us Better’, Honeywell’s ‘Inclusion & Diversity’, and L3Harris’ ‘Catalyst CEO Champions For Change’. Technology companies that observe GBA+ in their design, training, operation, and maintenance are well positioned for future government procurement, as mandated and recommended by Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) partners. An example of where improvements can be made are the avionics and other integrated components that are often bias against women’s bodies, such as aircraft cockpit and uniform design and speech recognition technologies. Space-based technologies and their manufacturers that observe gender equality and GBA+ are necessary and in demand.

GBA+ is integral to the contract solicitation and bid evaluation for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program that will train the aircrews of the Royal Canadian Air Force, NATO, and allies. Proposals for the FAcT evaluated under the ITB Policy may include both mandatory and rated evaluation criteria to advance gender equality and diversity, requirements for a gender and diversity plan and skills and training programs for Indigenous People within the aerospace and defence industry, and a rated requirement for commitments to skills and training programs for under-represented groups (women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and Indigenous People). An Indigenous Benefits Plan (IBP) and rated criteria to evaluate proposals that address technological barriers that disproportionately affect targeted segments of the population may also be required by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

GBA+ is a powerful analytical tool that has been embraced by Aero Polaris Consulting Ltd. and this adds value to our research, analysis, and strategic advisements offered. Greater situational awareness is crucial to the future of North American defence and NORAD modernization and this will be enabled by cutting-edge technologies, such as avionics and unmanned aerial systems, and by gender equality practices, such as GBA+. Aero Polaris Consulting Ltd. seeks to advance situational awareness and interoperability that is both technological and societal.

Consulting services that assess and evaluate GBA+ of companies and organizations include analyzing the implementation and use of diversity and inclusion throughout the lifecycle of a product or service, identifying and assessing key issues from an economic, social and cultural perspective, parsing specific experiences of individual affected groups and highlighting their unique experiences, researching and consulting with experts and affected groups, developing options and recommendations, and monitoring and evaluating diversity and inclusion programs and impacts throughout lifecycle.

Consultation with Indigenous peoples is a guiding principle of Aero Polaris Consulting Ltd. DND and the CAF engage, collaborate or partner with Indigenous groups on a range of operational and policy matters, including environmental remediation, land access, consultation, procurement, and major construction projects and provide full support of the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing reconciliation and renewing its relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. This is exemplified by DND and CAF commitment through PSPC for all departments to have at least 5% of federal contracts awarded to businesses managed and led by Indigenous Peoples and that all areas of green procurement consider Indigenous businesses.

Market opportunities involving Indigenous business and peoples are significant and this is supported by the ITB Policy that requires bidders to provide Gender and Diversity Plans that describe their approach as a prime contractor to achieve gender balance and increasing diversity within their Canadian corporate structures and broader supply chains in Canada and the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business. Market success is showcased in the exemplary support of Opaskwayak Cree Nation and its manufacturing of aerospace parts that supply Boeing Canada and Magellan Aerospace. Consulting services are offered to companies seeking to meet the requirements of the Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business and the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy.

Space-based NWS modernization will likely have less negative societal impact on Indigenous peoples in the Arctic than if additional terrestrial-based NWS modernization infrastructure is built, operated, and maintained across this region. As experienced during the legacy NWS and Distant Early Warning Line, environmental degradation and ecological disturbances occurred and there is less risk of this is occurring with space-based NWS modernization. To assist in ensuring this, consultation is conducted to help minimize the reoccurrence of these issues and maximize the beneficial experiences that can result, such as Indigenous peoples involvement in the Canadian Rangers, a Reserve Force that conducts operational and maintenance support of legacy NWS with site patrols. Greater involvement by Indigenous communities and businesses is an important element in creating an innovative and inclusive ecosystem to support space-based NWS modernization.