Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013-16, tabled on November 4, 2013, guides the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the FSDA to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in this departmental strategy.
Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitments under Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality, within the context of the 2013–16 FSDS. This DSDS also provides results under Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government, based on the 2010-13 FSDS.
Themes I–III: Implementation Strategies
The Agency’s Policy, Advocacy and Coordination program focused on energy and the environment through its advocacy work promoting Atlantic Canada’s energy sector, including renewable energy, and facilitating the advancement of the region’s potential through the Atlantic Canada Energy office. The energy and environment sectors were a focus also for ACOA’s Coordination sub-program through the Atlantic Energy Gateway (AEG) initiative. The AEG was launched to complement existing and planned utility and regional collaborative efforts and ongoing commercial activities within the region’s electricity sector. The AEG supports Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality. Through the FSDS, the federal government has committed to “reduce greenhouse gas emission levels to mitigate the severity and unavoidable impacts of climate change.”[1] Strategies to meet this goal include “providing sustained action to build a low-carbon economy and make Canada a world leader in clean electricity generation.”[2] The work of the AEG supports this strategy and will assist Atlantic Canada in developing a low-carbon economy.
The AEG fosters collaboration and dialogue among governments and the private sector to maximize the development of renewable energy resources in the region.
Theme IV: Implementation Strategies
Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment Target
By March 31, 2014, each department will reuse or recycle all surplus electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) in an environmentally sound and secure manner.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Achieved |
| Existence of an implementation plan for the disposal of all departmentally generated EEE. | As of March 31, 2012 |
| Total number of departmental locations with an EEE implementation plan fully implemented, expressed as a percentage of all locations, by the end of the given fiscal year. | 100% |
Strategies/Comments
- Definition of location: For the purposes of EEE disposal, location is defined as ACOA regional offices, located in each of the four Atlantic provinces, one office in the National Capital Region, and head office in Moncton. Total number of locations: 6.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: The plan has been fully implemented at all locations.
Printing Unit Reduction Target
By March 31, 2013, each department will achieve an 8:1 average ratio of office employees to printing units. Departments will apply the target where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configurations allow.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Achieved |
| Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units in fiscal year 2010-11, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configurations allow. | 3.6:1 |
| Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units at the end of the given fiscal year, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configurations allow. | 8:1 |
Strategies/Comments
- For the purposes of this target, ACOA has defined printing units as follows: network printers, desktop/stand-alone printers and multifunctional devices (networked and non-networked).
- Scope: Considerations include building occupancy levels, security and space configurations.
- Method used for determining the number of printing units: The number of network printers was obtained through a database. In addition, a manual count was conducted to determine the number of non-networked, stand-alone and multifunctional devices in order to arrive at the total number of printing units for the Agency.
- Method used for determining number of office employees: For the purposes of this target, the number of office employees was calculated by using human resources data from an executive dashboard: number of office employees = 549. Any office with less than eight ACOA employees was excluded from this target due to the fact that achieving the 8:1 ratio of employees to printers would not be feasible in these locations. Therefore, for the purpose of this target, the total number of employees is calculated by taking the Agency’s actual total number and subtracting the number of employees working in locations with less than eight employees.
- Key consideration: Anticipated fluctuations in total number of office employees may necessitate the recalibration of the method used to calculate the ratio. Numbers may be adjusted accordingly in future years.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA achieved the overall target by March 31, 2013.
Paper Consumption Target
By March 31, 2014, each department will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee (OE) by 20%. Each department will establish a baseline between 2005-06 and 2011-12, and an applicable scope.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Exceeded |
| Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per OE in the selected baseline year (2009-10), according to the departmental scope. | 6,325 sheets/OE |
| Cumulative reduction (or increase) in paper consumption per OE in the given fiscal year, expressed as a percentage, relative to the selected baseline year. | 28% (4,581 sheets consumed/OE) |
Strategies/Comments
- Baseline year: 2009-10
- Scope: Includes all paper types – multi-use paper (e.g. 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, and 11 x 17 stock) for office-related operations within the Agency.
- Method used for determining number of office employees: For the purposes of this target, the number of office employees was calculated by using human resources data from an executive dashboard: number of office employees = 549. Note: Offices with less than eight ACOA employees were excluded from this target due to the fact that these locations are often shared spaces, and paper purchases are not centrally managed. This method is consistent with the approach taken for the printing units target. Therefore, for the purposes of this target, the total number of employees is calculated by taking the Agency forecast for total number of employees and subtracting the total number of employees working in locations with less than eight employees.
- Method used for determining paper consumption: Regional offices were asked to report to head office their actual paper purchases. Head office then aggregated these purchases to determine the overall count.
- Key consideration: Anticipated fluctuations in the total number of office employees may necessitate the recalibration of the method used to calculate the ratio. Further analysis will be conducted and numbers may be adjusted accordingly in future years.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA exceeded the 20% paper consumption reduction target by March 31, 2014.
Green Meetings Target
By March 31, 2012, each department will adopt a guide for greening meetings.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Achieved |
| Adoption of a guide for greening meetings. | March 31, 2012 |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA’s adoption of a guide for greening meetings included drafting the guide, establishing a communications and implementation plan, and obtaining support and approval from senior management.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA adopted a green meeting guide by March 31, 2012.
Green Procurement Targets
As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish at least three SMART green procurement targets to reduce environmental impacts.
- By March 31, 2014, ACOA will reduce the number of printed telephone books received by 40%, relative to the baseline year 2010-11.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Exceeded |
| Number of printed telephone books received in the baseline year (2010-11): 678 | 94% (41 received) |
Strategies/Comments
- Method of counting the number of phone books: Telephone service provider to provide the number of copies sent to the Agency in the given year.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA exceeded the self-selected target by March 31, 2014.
- By April 1, 2011, 83% of IT hardware purchases will be environmentally preferred models.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Exceeded |
| Percentage of IT hardware purchases that are environmentally preferred models in the baseline year (2010-11): 83% | 88% |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA has ensured that this target meets SMART target requirements, including being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Definition of environmentally preferred: Models purchased through Public Works and Government Services Canada Green Standing Offers.
- Definition of IT hardware: The types of equipment to be included consist of computer equipment and parts such as printers, monitors and other associated peripherals. Server-related equipment and parts are excluded as they will be transferred to Shared Services Canada.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA surpassed the baseline percentage of IT hardware purchases that are environmentally preferred models.
- By March 31, 2014, ACOA will reduce the number of printed agendas used by 25%.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Exceeded |
| Number of agendas ordered in baseline year (2009-10): 336 | 30% |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA has ensured that this performance measure meets SMART target requirements, including being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Scope: This target refers to the physical agenda notebooks used to keep track of daily appointments. Reducing the number ordered and encouraging the use of electronic calendars commonly available as part of e-mail programs will have an impact on the amount of paper that is consumed.
- Method for determining the number of booklets ordered: Each regional office was asked to provide the total number of printed agendas in the baseline year of 2009-10. ACOA’s head office then aggregated the number of printed agendas from all regions and head office to determine the overall count. This will be compared to the total number ordered in future years.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA exceeded the self-selected target by March 31, 2014.
As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish SMART targets for training, employee performance evaluations, and management processes and controls as pertains to procurement decision making.
Training for select employees
By March 31, 2014, all designated employees and acquisition cardholders will have taken a recognized training course on green procurement offered by the Canada School of Public Service or any other federal government department.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Opportunity for improvement |
| Percentage of acquisition cardholders who completed green procurement training in the baseline year (2010-11): 28% | 100% |
| Percentage of designated employees who completed green procurement training in the baseline year (2011-12): 100% | 86% |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA has ensured that this target meets SMART target requirements, including being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Scope: Select Employees – In addition to acquisition cardholders, 90% of designated employees will have completed green procurement training. Recognized Training Course – For acquisition cardholders, this will be achieved by means of an online course offered through the Government of Canada’s training website. Scope of Target for Acquisition Cardholders – All new cardholders will be required to take the course and provide proof of completion before receiving a card.
- Exclusions may include positions that are vacant.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: Due to staff turnover, one of the seven (14%) designated employees has yet to complete the green procurement training. In future years, the ongoing targeted percentage of designated employees who have green procurement training by the end of a given fiscal year will be set at 86%. This will enable accurate reporting that considers the potential impact of staff changes in those positions.
Employee performance evaluations for managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management
As of March 31, 2012, identified managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management will have environmental consideration clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Exceeded |
| Percentage of identified managers and functional heads with environmental consideration clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations in baseline year (2011-12): 90% | 100% |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA has ensured that this target meets SMART target requirements, including being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Since 2012-13, ACOA has committed to having environmental consideration clauses incorporated into the performance evaluations of identified positions.
- Key Consideration: To enable reporting that considers the potential impact of staff changes in identified positions, a baseline and ongoing targeted percentage of identified managers and functional heads having environmental consideration clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations was set at 90%; however, in future years, this targeted percentage should be set at 86% to enable more accurate reporting.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA exceeded the self-selected target by March 31, 2014.
Management Processes and Controls
By March 31, 2014, a minimum of three management processes and controls will include environmental considerations.
| Performance Measure | Performance Status |
|---|---|
| Target status | Achieved |
| Number of management processes and controls that include environmental considerations in the baseline year (2011-12): 3 | 3 |
Strategies/Comments
- ACOA has ensured that this target meets SMART target requirements, including being specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- In fiscal year 2013-14, ACOA committed to implementing environmental considerations in at least three management processes and controls.
- Rationale for Target Status selected: ACOA achieved a minimum of three management processes and controls that include environmental considerations.
Additional Departmental Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives
In Atlantic Canada, ACOA is also helping to develop more competitive, resource-efficient and sustainable businesses and communities through its funding programs. For example, the Agency supports innovative research and commercialization activities in the clean energy sector through the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). Most recently, the Agency announced funding for an AIF project whose goal is to develop an advanced control strategy for building energy management to minimize energy consumption, resulting in greater energy efficiency. Another recently announced AIF project aims to increase the efficiency and economic viability of existing wind-diesel energy. This project will make this green energy solution economically viable for remote communities around the world, 175 in Canada. Other examples of ACOA support for innovation in this area include street and area lighting systems that eliminate mercury and lead in the manufacturing process while providing energy savings of up to 80%, work on more efficient wind turbines, and research into green hydrocarbons. ACOA also participated in an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development project on renewable energy’s role in rural regional development.
Additional information on ACOA’s programming is available on the ACOA website.
Sustainable Development Management System
ACOA’s Sustainable Development Vision
ACOA is a participant in the FSDS, which represents a major step forward for the Government of Canada by including environmental sustainability and a strategic environmental assessment as an integral part of its decision-making processes. ACOA is implicated under Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality and under Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.
ACOA’s Decision-Making and Sustainable Development Practices
ACOA has set an example in its internal operations by:
- pursuing best practices in environmental management and pollution prevention, including recycling and waste reduction;
- participating in sustainable development interdepartmental working groups such as the FSDS Associate Deputy Minister Committee and the FSDS Director General Committee;
- educating ACOA staff on environmental issues and concerns and providing them with the resources to carry out the Agency’s sustainable development agenda; and
- setting measurable targets, reporting progress and reviewing Agency contributions to the FSDS on an annual basis through the Agency’s Main Estimates process.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
During 2013-14, ACOA considered the environmental effects of its initiatives (subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals) and determined that no strategic environmental assessments were required during the year under review.
[1] Environment Canada, Planning for a Sustainable Future: A Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada, 2010.
[2] Ibid.