Planning for a Sustainable Future:
A Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada
2013–2016 - Consultation Paper

Sustainable Development Office
Environment Canada

February 2013

 

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Annex 4: Theme IV: Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government

• 6. Goal: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy
• 6.1. Target: GHG Emissions Reduction
• 7. Goal: Waste and Asset Management
• 7.1. Target: Real Property Environment Performance
• 7.2. Target: Green Procurement
• 7.3. Target: Sustainable Workplace Operations
• 7.4. Target: Greening Services to Clients (optional)
• 8. Goal: Water Management
• 8.1. Target: Water Management

Implementation Strategies

• 6.1.1. Each department will report annually on GHG emissions inventories using the Federal Greenhouse Gas Tracking Protocol – a Common Standard for Federal Operations, and submit results to PWGSC.
• 6.1.2. By March 31, 2015, each department will update its implementation plan to reduce GHG emission levels in absolute terms from 2005 levels and put them on a clear downward trend. Elements of the plan will address
  • 6.1.2.1. Scope of departmental GHG inventory, including exclusions to be applied;
  • 6.1.2.2. Approach to GHG emissions reduction being taken for buildings and/or fleets.

Implementation Strategies

• 7.1.1. By March 31, 2015, each department will update, as appropriate, their sustainable buildings strategic framework to define the custodian's approach to managing the environmental performance of new construction, build-to-lease projects, major renovations, operation and maintenance of existing Crown-owned buildings, and new lease or lease renewal projects over 1000 m2. Key elements of the sustainable buildings strategic framework will address the scope of application and commitments to:² (IMPROVED)
  • 7.1.1.1. Achieve a level of performance that meets or exceeds the custodian's current commitment(s) to sustainable buildings using industry-recognized assessment and verification tool(s).
  • 7.1.1.2. Conduct life-cycle assessments for major construction and renovation projects using an industry-recognized tool. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.3. Develop plans to address environmental performance assessment recommendations for existing Crown-owned buildings. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.4. Manage workplace waste in Crown-owned buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.5. Manage construction, renovation and demolition waste in Crown-owned buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.6. Develop an approach to improve performance of Crown-owned buildings via automation and commissioning. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.7. Develop an approach to building operator training in Crown-owned buildings. (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.8. Integrate the use of sustainable real property performance management indicators into the investment decision-making process for Crown-owned assets in the building portfolio (density, energy intensity, facility condition, etc.). (NEW)
  • 7.1.1.9. Benchmark and report annually on the energy usage intensity of Crown-owned office buildings using an industry-recognized tool (PWGSC only). (NEW)

Best Practice

• 7.1.2. Real property managers and functional heads responsible for new construction, leases or existing building operations will have clauses related to environmental considerations incorporated into their performance evaluations. (NEW)

² Departments are able to state which elements will be addressed using their sustainable buildings strategic framework (SBSF). This would include details on the assessment tools chosen (LEED , BOMA, etc.), including the performance level to be achieved and the actions proposed in the areas selected. Similarly, the departmental SBSF will include thresholds that define the scope of application, such as building type, project dollar value, floor area, geographic location and availability of resources.

Implementation Strategies

• 7.2.1. As of April 1, 2014, each department will implement a green procurement approach that furthers the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement. Each department will develop an approach to:
  • 7.2.1.1. Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls.
  • 7.2.1.2. Train procurement and materiel management functional specialists on green procurement.
  • 7.2.1.3. Include the contribution and support of the Policy on Green Procurement objectives in performance evaluations of managers of procurement and materiel.
  • 7.2.1.4. Set a minimum of three SMART targets to reduce the environmental impact of purchases (from a suite of predefined choices in identified commodity categories).
  • 7.2.1.5. Use PWGSC common-use procurement instruments where available and feasible. (IMPROVED)
• 7.2.2. PWGSC will continue to incorporate environmental considerations into National Strategies for Goods and Services and common-use procurement instruments. (NEW)

Best Practice

• 7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement. (IMPROVED)

Implementation Strategies

• 7.3.1. By March 31, 2015, each department will develop an approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace. Key elements of the approach will address the scope of application and commitments to:³(NEW)
  • 7.3.1.1. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e. printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings).
  • 7.3.1.2. Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles. (NEW)
  • 7.3.1.3. Increase the population density in office buildings and space utilization in special- purpose buildings. (NEW)
  • 7.3.1.4. Reduce all non-hazardous solid waste generated, and leverage PWGSC service offerings to increase diversion rates in PWGSC-managed buildings. (NEW)
  • 7.3.1.5. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee. (NEW)
  • 7.3.1.6. Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage.
  • 7.3.1.7. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.
  • 7.3.1.8. Maintain and improve sustainable fleet management.
  • 7.3.1.9. Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner. (NEW)
  • 7.3.1.10. Engage employees in sustainable workplace practices. (NEW)

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Best Practice

• 7.4.1. Conduct an analysis of client services and implement practices to reduce their environmental impact. (NEW)

³ Departments are able to state which elements will be addressed using the strategy and comments section of the Greening Government Operations table within the departmental Reports on Plans and Priorities (RPP). This would include details on the actions planned in the areas selected. Similarly, the departmental RPP will include thresholds that define the scope of application, such as: scope of control, availability of supporting programs, geographic location and availability of resources.

Implementation Strategies

• 8.1.1. By March 31, 2015, each department will update, as appropriate, the sustainable buildings strategic framework to define the custodian's approach to sustainable water management in Crown-owned assets. Key elements of the approach will address the scope of application and commitments to:⁴ (NEW)
  • 8.1.1.1. Conserve potable water. (NEW)
  • 8.1.1.2. Manage storm water run-off. (NEW)
  • 8.1.1.3. Improve the metering of water utility usage for existing Crown-owned buildings. (NEW)
  • 8.1.1.4. Meter the water usage in new projects. (NEW)

Best Practices

• 8.1.2. Conduct potable water audits in Crown-owned assets. (NEW)
• 8.1.3. Analyze the water consumption data collected to determine steps to improve water management in Crown-owned assets. (NEW)
• 8.1.4. Reclaimed non-potable water is used for landscape irrigation. (NEW)

⁴ Departments are able to state which elements will be addressed using their sustainable buildings strategic framework (SBSF). This would include details on the actions planned in the areas selected. Similarly, the departmental SBSF will include thresholds that define the scope of application, such as scope of control, availability of supporting programs, geographic location, building type, project dollar value, geographic location and availability of resources.

Table 1 – Responsibility for Greening Government Operations Targets by Department/Agency

Departments and Agencies	Goal area: GHG Emissions and Energy Target 6.1 GHG Emissions from Buildings and Fleet	Goal area: GHG Emissions and Energy Target 6.1 GHG Emissions from Fleet Only	Goal area: Waste and Asset Manage-ment Target 7.1 Real Proper-ty Environ-mental Performance	Goal area: Waste and Asset Management Target 7.2 Green Procurement	Goal area: Waste and Asset Management Target 7.3 Sustainable Workplace Operations	Goal area: Waste and Asset Management Target 7.4 Greening Services to Clients (optional)	Goal area: Water Management Target 8.1 Water Management
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Canada Border Services Agency	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Canada Revenue Agency	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Canadian Heritage	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Canadian International Development Agency	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Citizenship and Immigration Canada	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Environment Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Finance Canada	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Health Canada	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Human Resources and Skills Development	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Industry Canada	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Justice Canada	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
National Defence	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Natural Resources Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Parks Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Public Health Agency	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Public Safety Canada	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Public Works and Government Services Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Transport Canada	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Treasury Board Canada Secretariat	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Veterans Affairs Canada	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes
Western Economic Diversification Canada	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	No
Total applicable	9	6	15	27	27	27	15

 

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