Greening Government Operations - RPP 2015-16

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013-16 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 Department of National Defence supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in supplementary information table.

Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the planned contributions and expected results for Theme III – Protecting Nature and Canadians and Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.

Sustainable Development Management System

Serving as the strategic direction for the Environmental Program, the Defence Environmental Strategy (DES) will continue to support the Defence Team in developing sustainable defence activities. The DES considers current Defence Team activities that have environmental aspects that need to be managed as well as emerging environmental issues that could potentially impact Defence. The DES also includes activities that support the advancement of the Government of Canada’s Environmental Agenda such as Defence’s contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS).

Strategic Environmental Assessment

The Department of National Defence will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of the FSDS goals and targets through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on the FSDS goals and targets. The results of the Department of National Defence's detailed assessment are made public when an initiative is announced. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been appropriately considered during proposal development and decision making.


Themes I to III: Department-Led Targets

Target 4.1: Species at Risk

Context: Defence commits through program implementation to continue to consult and collaborate with Species and Risk Act (SARA) competent Departments in order to comply with SARA and contribute Departmentally to the protection of species at risk.

Expected Result: By 2020, populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3.5 Real Property – Environment and Remediation

Performance Measurement
FSDS Performance Indicator FSDS Target
Species at risk protection 4.1.1. Commit to collaborating and consulting with Species at Risk Act competent departments for the development of recovery strategies, action plans and management plans for species at risk on DND lands.


Themes I to III: Departmental Contribution to Federal Targets

Target 4.8: Chemicals Management - Contaminated Sites

Scope and Context: The Department of National Defence (DND), as a custodian of federal contaminated sites receiving Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) funding for site assessment or remediation, is required to manage its contaminated sites in a manner that is consistent with Treasury Board Policy, prioritize the sites based on human health and environmental risks using approved criteria, develop and implement management strategies for proposed projects and report on results.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3.5 Real Property – Environment and Remediation


Theme IV: Greening Government Operations

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Target 6.1: GHG Emissions Reduction - The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Expected Result: Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations.

Departmental Target: 10% below 2005 by 2020

Scope and Context: Only fuel and energy consumed in buildings and commercial vehicle fleets are included within the scope of this target.

National Safety and Security (NSS) Fleets and Residential Housing Units (RHUs) are excluded from the GHG emissions reduction exercise.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3 Real Property Lifecycle

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicators Targeted performance level
Updated GHG reduction implementation plan in place by March 31, 2015. N/A *
GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005–06. 786 kt
GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2015−16. 747 kt
Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005–06 to the current fiscal year, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable. 5% decrease
Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions. 4 kt decrease

Comments: *The included elements are subject to change as the department was in the process of completing its implementation plan for March 31, 2015 at time of completion of this table.


Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management

Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance - As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

Expected Result: An industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

Scope and Context: New construction, build to lease and major renovation projects where the construction contract is valued at over $1 million must achieve a high level of environmental performance.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3 Real Property Lifecycle

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicators Targeted performance level
A Real Property Sustainability Framework in place to improve the management of energy, waste and water in departmental real property assets by March 31, 2015. N/A *
Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings (over 1000 m2) and new lease or lease renewal projects (over 1000 m2) where the Crown is the major lessee, assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool, and associated floor space (m2).

141 Crown-owned buildings

616,368 m2

0 new lease or lease renewal projects
0 m2
Planned assessment tool to be used: Green Globes DND Light Industrial
Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings, new construction, build-to-lease and major renovation projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance, and associated floor space (m2). 9 Crown-owned buildings
14,200 m2
5 new construction projects
8,200 m2
0 build-to-lease projects
0 m2
4 major renovation projects
6,000 m2
Planned environmental performance level to be achieved: LEED 2009 Silver or 3 Green Globes
Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance. 2 refit projects
2,440 m2
Planned environmental performance level to be achieved: Green Globes DND Light industrial
Implementation strategy elements or best practices Targeted performance level
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). Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.1.1.2. Conduct cost assessments for major construction and renovation projects using an industry-recognized tool. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.1.1.3. Develop plans to address environmental performance assessment recommendations for existing Crown-owned buildings. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.1.1.5. Manage construction, renovation and demolition waste in Crown-owned buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.1.1.7. Develop an approach to training for building operators in Crown-owned buildings. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
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 (e.g., density, energy intensity and facility condition). Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

Comments: *The included elements are subject to change as the department was in the process of completing its implementation plan for March 31, 2015 at time of completion of this table.

Target 7.2: Green Procurement - As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Expected result: Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services.

Scope and Context: Defence will build on FSDS 2010-2013 performance from fiscal year 2013-2014.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.2 Materiel Lifecycle

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicators Targeted performance level
Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014. N/A *
Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in the given fiscal year. 75% of fiscal year 2013-2014 baseline
Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in the given fiscal year. 25% of fiscal year 2013-2014 baseline
Implementation strategy elements or best practices Targeted performance level
7.2.1.5. Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

Departmental Green Procurement Targets

Target 1: Real Property Services Procurement

Scope and Context: Integrate green procurement clauses in 25% of Real Property Services procurement instruments by March 31 2017.

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Number of procurement instruments with greening clauses to total number of procurement instruments. 25%

Target 2: Vehicle Purchases

Scope and Context: By March 31, 2017, 75% of vehicles purchased annually will meet operational needs and are the most fuel efficient vehicles in its class in the Government Motor Vehicle Ordering Guide and/or are an alternative fuel vehicle, hybrid or electric vehicle.

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Number of vehicle purchases that meet the target relative to total number of all vehicle purchases in the given year. 75%

Target 3: Food and Beverage Equipment

Scope and Context: By March 31, 2017, 50% of food and beverage equipment purchases will include criteria to reduce food waste.

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Number of food and beverage equipment product contracts meeting the target relative to the total number of food and beverage equipment product contracts in the given year. 50%

Comments: *The included elements are subject to change as the department was in the process of completing its implementation plan for March 31, 2015 at time of completion of this table.

Target 7.3: Sustainable Workplace Operations - As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.

Expected result: Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.

Scope and Context: Defence-wide

Links to Department's Program Alignment Architecture:

4.2 Materiel Lifecycle

4.3 Real Property Lifecycle

4.4 Information Systems Lifecycle

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
An approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace in place by March 31, 2015. N/A *
Implementation strategy elements or best practices Targeted performance level
7.3.1.1. Engage employees in greening government operations practices. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.2. Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e., printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings). Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.4. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.9. Increase the population density in office buildings and space utilization in special purpose buildings. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
7.3.1.10. Maintain or improve sustainable fleet management. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

Comments: *The included elements are subject to change as the department was in the process of completing its implementation plan for March 31, 2015 at time of completion of this table.


Goal 8: Water Management

Target 8.1: Water Management - As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will take further action to improve water management within its real property portfolio.

Expected result: Water is managed sustainably in Government of Canada real property operations.

Scope and Context: The water conservation performance of real property represents 10% of eligible heated buildings over 1000m2 by area including FSDS 2010-2013.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3 Real Property Lifecycle

Performance Measurement
Performance Indicators Targeted performance level
Approach to improving water management included in Real Property Sustainability Framework by March 31, 2015. N/A *
Amount and percentage of floor space in buildings over 1000 m2 that includes water metering, in the given fiscal year (where feasible). 6,390,000 m2 existing Crown-owned
10%
5 new construction projects
8,200 m2
4 major renovation projects
6,000 m2
0 build-to-lease projects
0 m2
Implementation strategy elements or best practices Targeted performance level
8.1.1.1. Conserve potable water. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
8.1.1.2. Manage storm water run-off. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status
8.1.1.4. Meter the water usage in new projects. Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

Comments: *The included elements are subject to change as the department was in the process of completing its implementation plan for March 31, 2015 at time of completion of this table.

Additional Departmental Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives: Canadian Forces Housing Agency

Scope and Context:

The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) integrates environmental considerations in maintenance, renovation, and new construction with the aim of reducing the negative environmental impacts of housing management and in order to demonstrate the Agency’s commitment to comfortable and energy efficient housing for military families.

CFHA’s integration of environmental stewardship and green building principles is demonstrated by:

  • CFHA’s Environmental Management System (EMS) considers the environmental impact of all the activities CFHA undertakes to fulfill the housing management mandate. The EMS then drives supporting environmental programs, direction and tools that enable top-to-bottom understanding and consideration for environmental stewardship throughout the Agency;
  • Environmental Assessments are conducted of relevant projects to assess and mitigate environmental impacts of projects, and disposal projects optimize 3Rs demolition;
  • Housing-related Green Globes and LEED principles are integrated into CFHA’s technical standards, which operationalize the use of green materials and methodologies for improved energy efficiency into maintenance, lifecycle replacement and recapitalization projects, corporate programs and related direction to staff; and
  • CFHA conducts energy efficiency evaluations of Residential Housing Units (RHU) by means of Natural Resources Canada’s ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program in order to obtain an EnerGuide for Houses rating for each major renovation or new construction project. Evaluations gathered to date suggest the energy performance of DND RHUs exceed national standards.

CFHA continues to proactively explore additional opportunities to manage the environmental impact associated with housing management, provide green services to clients, and support the department’s environmental objectives.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: 4.3 Real Property Lifecycle

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