Science and Technology Branch


Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate

Air Quality Research
Climate Research
Adaptation and Impacts Research
Meteorological Research

Science and Risk Assessment Directorate

Pollution Data
Greenhouse Gas
Programme Development and Engagement
Ecological Assessment
Emerging Priorities

Science and Technology Strategies Directorate

Science Policy and Priorities
Science and Technology Integration
Science and Technology Liaison

Water Science and Technology Directorate

Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts Research
Aquatic Ecosystem Management Research
Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research
Emergencies, Operational Analytical Laboratories and Research Support
Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance
Green Technologies

Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate

Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health
Wildlife Research
Landscape Science and Technology


Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate

Air Quality Research

Experts in the study and knowledge of atmospheric chemistry/physics to support policy development, predictions and strategies to minimize impacts on humans and ecosystems.

Climate Research

Experts in climate analysis, monitoring, processes, chemistry and modelling. Scientific research to advance the understanding of the behavior of the climate system, and of its past, present and future states. Conducting research to provide a basis for many climate related services and products for Canadians, and for climate policy development.

Adaptation and Impacts Research

Experts in the science to improve our understanding of the sensitivities of economic sectors, ecosystems, human health and safety to the impacts of atmospheric change.  Adaptive strategies, methodologies and tools are developed to address the impacts of atmospheric change for the benefit of Canadians and the environment.

Meteorological Research

Experts in the science to improve numerical weather and environmental predictions to reduce potential costly socio-economics impacts, limit the risks to human life and to increase efficiency and competitiveness in different economic sectors (e.g., transport, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, water management).

Science and Risk Assessment Directorate

Pollution Data

Experts in the management of regulatory reporting requirements for facilities releasing substances of concern.
Experts in pollution data analysis and interpretation.

Greenhouse Gas

Canada's central agency responsible for the National System and for the development of Canada's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) National Inventory Report.  Also responsible for the mandatory facility level GHG Emissions Reporting Program.  Experts in GHG emissions, quantification, verification and analysis, staff oversee programs that are central to Canada's efforts to monitor GHG emissions, and track progress in meeting reporting obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Programme Development and Engagement

Supports Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) activities that allow the exercise and support of ministerial authorities, including engagement with industry and civil society, gathering and managing information for improved decision making, and strategically engaging internationally to deliver on domestic priorities. The Division also undertakes priority setting, coordinates and funds research and monitoring, and regulatory package development under the CMP.

Ecological Assessment

Responsible for performing ecological assessment of chemicals and polymers entering or already on the Canadian market. Modelling and tool development, together with hazard, fate, effect, and exposure characterization functions form part of the Division's work.

Emerging Priorities

Focusses on regulatory development and policy advice on new and emerging issues, such as nanotechnology and products of biotechnology. Also included in the Division is the National Guidelines and Standards Office that sets environmental performance objectives for present and emerging issues.

Science and Technology Strategies Directorate

Science Policy

Experts in policy for science: developing and implementing federal science policy, enabling strategies for EC's science, policy for strengthening and integrating environmental science capacity.

Science and Technology Integration

Experts in the coordination of S&T programs related to energy research and development, environmental technology verification and genomics.
Experts in the oversight of federal technology funding programs.
Experts in the development of state of the S&T evaluation/assessment documents and the provision of strategic advice pertaining to these.

Science and Technology Liaison

Experts in engaging and disseminating information to Canadians and international partners and audiences about EC S&T.
Experts in S&T communication to strengthen science-policy linkages.

Water Science and Technology Directorate

Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts Research

Experts in terrestrial freshwater hydrology.
Experts in impacts of human activities on the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.

Aquatic Ecosystem Management Research

Experts in management of Canada's aquatic ecosystems, including surface water bodies, groundwater, sediments and urban areas.

Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research

Experts in the study and knowledge of impacts of priority pollutants and other substances of concern on aquatic ecosystems.

Emergencies, Operational Analytical Laboratories and Research Support

Expertise from seven locations nationwide providing ISO 17025 accredited results to monitoring, research and enforcement clients, nationally and internationally, including inorganic and organic chemical and biological investigations, genomics, emergency response, and contaminated sites countermeasures. Provision of certified reference materials, research support services: design, fabrication, maintenance and field deployment including planning and management of multidisciplinary field operations from a variety of platforms.

Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance

Experts in development and implementation of monitoring, surveillance and reporting on water quality status and trends and aquatic ecosystem health.

Green Technologies

Experts in the research, development, demonstration and advancement of microwave-assisted, energy-efficient analytical tools and industrial processes.

Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate

Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health

Expertise in the effects of toxic substances on wild plant and animal health, from the molecular to the ecosystem level.
Expertise in laboratory analysis to support wildlife toxicology and pesticides evaluation.
Expertise in wildlife disease issues and strategic advice for policy development.

Wildlife Research

Expertise in wildlife research and its coordination with water, landscape and atmospheric science.
Expertise in the identification of wildlife research priorities.

Landscape Science and Technology

Expertise in inventory development and maintenance for land cover use and characterization to support research in landscape ecology, biology, conservation, wildlife, water and the atmosphere.