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Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Official title: Employment and Social Development Canada 2015–2016 Departmental Performance Report

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1. Overview of the federal government's approach to sustainable development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16 presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the [insert name of department] supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities described in this supplementary information table.

This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the results for Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.

4. Theme IV: Targets and implementation strategies

Goal 6: GHG emissions and energy

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Departmental target

17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Performance measurement
Expected result

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations.

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

Updated GHG reduction implementation plan in place by March 31, 2015.
  • Yes [March 31, 2015]

GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005–06.
  • 44 kt

GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2015-16, not accounting for renewable power emission credits, if applicable.
  • 302 kt

Renewable power emission credits applied in fiscal year 2015-16(kt CO2 equivalent).

  • 0 kt

Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2015-16, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable.
  • 79% decrease

Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions [indicate if not applicable].
  • Not applicable

Goal 7: Waste and asset management

Target 7.2: Green procurement

Performance measurement
Expected result

Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014.
  • Yes [April 1, 2014]

7.2.1.2 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.

Targeted: 70% by March 31, 2016

  • 40/48 (83%) 12 procurement specialists and 36 materiel management specialists

7.2.1.3 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.

Targeted: 90% by March 31, 2016

  • 21/21 (100%) 36 other related positions such as procurement specialists, material managers and accommodations also have green procurement in their performance evaluation. 22 managers and functional heads
Departmental green procurement target performance indicator 1

By March 31, 2017, 70% of new contracts for logistics services will include measures to improve environmental performance

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

Percentage of new contracts for logistic services (by volume) that include measures to improve environmental performance (as a percentage of all new contracts for logistic services)

Targets: 60% of new contracts for logistics services, Fiscal Year 2015–16

  • Achieved
Departmental green procurement target performance indicator 2

The average rated fuel efficiency of new light-duty vehicles purchased by ESDC between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2017 will be 10 litres per 100 km or less

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

The average rated fuel efficiency of new light-duty vehicles purchased by ESDC between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2017
  • Achieved
Departmental green procurement target performance indicator 3

Departmental Green Procurement Target: By March 31, 2017, 90% of toner cartridges are recycled at end of life.

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

Develop contract requirements with all vendors to ensure that 90% toner cartridges are recycled at end of life by March 31, 2017

Targets: 80% of new contracts for Fiscal Year 2015–16

  • A Managed Print Service (MPS) contract is in place with a vendor requirement for a recycling program for toner cartridges.

Implementation strategy element or best practice

Performance level achieved

7.2.1.5. Leverage common-use procurement instruments where available and feasible.

Target: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • Achieved

7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Exceeded” status under 7.2.1.2 through mandatory training for all new cardholders (100%) and any existing cardholders who request an increase in card limits.

  • Exceeded

Best Practice

7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Exceeded” status under 7.2.1.2 through online training for managers

  • Exceeded

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.

Performance measurement
Expected result

Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.

Performance indicator

Performance level achieved

Approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace in place as of March 31, 2015.

Target: Yes [March 31, 2015]

  • Approach developed to maintain / improve departmental sustainability.

Implementation strategy element or best practice

Performance level achieved

7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings).

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status.

  • In 2015-16 the department consumed 109.8M sheets of paper. The plan is to reduce per capita volume, by 5% in 2016-17. However with the additional hiring of over 1100 employees for EI readiness, it is reasonable to assume there will be an increase of printing which of course will lead to an increase of paper consumption.
  • Continuing efforts to minimise paper consumption through efficient online access to files and documents, we have successfully deployed over 450 tablets and continue to expand the client base; through e-binders to Ministers’ office, tablets to the departmental executive community, as well as tablets to Labour field agents. Additionally, in partnership with SSC, ESDC’s the implementation of GC WIFI in certain national boardrooms and common work areas has also allowed laptop users to access online files and document sharing during meetings.
  • The MPS contract called for ratios to fall within the 10:1 to 15:1 range. The current user to print device ratio is 11.8:1 exceeding the TBS target of 8:1.
  • To improve sustainable workplace and green meetings best practices, the department is seeking to reach “Exceeded” status as defined in the GGO implementation guidelines for this target area.

7.3.1.4. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Exceeded” status

  • ESDC has adopted a stringent one-device policy; exceptions must be signed off by the Chief Information Officer (CIO)
  • Successful achievement of a 1.2 computer: 1 user ratio as outlined by Treasury Board was realized in the 2015-16 fiscal year. 
  • Centralized procurement/asset management and more aggressive deployment of laptops is ongoing to further reduce device ratios.

7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • Achieved: All e-waste is sent to Computers for Schools (CFS) or Crown Assets Disposal. IITB has disposed of  3470 computer devices in fiscal year 2015-16

7.3.1.8. Minimize all non-hazardous solid waste generated, and leverage service offerings to maximize the diversion of waste.

Targets: ESDC will perform an analysis to identify performance indicators that will be used for measuring the performance level of this new target

  • Employment and Social Development Canada offices are located in leased buildings and it is the responsibility of PSPC to collaborate with landlords to achieve this activity.

7.3.1.9. Increase the population density in office buildings, and increase space utilization in special purpose buildings.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • Achieved

7.3.1.10. Maintain or improve sustainable fleet management.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • Achieved

Target 7.4: Greening services to clients

By March 31, 2015, departments will establish SMART targets to reduce the environmental impact of their services to clients.

Performance measurement
Expected result

Departmental services to clients have a reduced environmental impact.

Best practice

Performance level achieved

7.4.1 ESDC will implement electronic tools, including Online Services and Direct Deposit Services to reduce the paper burden of their client services.

- Online services: Percentage of applications and transactions performed through online services

- Direct Deposit: Percentage of payments and transactions performed through direct deposit)

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • Online services: Percentage of applications and transactions performed through online services

2015-16 Results:

  • 98.5% of Employment Insurance applications were made online (target 97%)
  • 24.8% of CPP Retirement Pension applications were submitted online (target 25%)
  • 92.8% of Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) application and Trustee Information forms were submitted online
  • 69.0% of Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) application were submitted online
  • 69.5% of Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) application were submitted online
  • 30.7% of Parents of Murdered or Missing Children (PMMC) application were submitted online
  • 84.1% of Records of Employment (ROE) were received electronically (target 81%)
  • 36.2% of Employment Insurance clients used My Service Canada Account (no target)
  • 46.0% of new OAS claims were enrolled through proactive enrolment (no target)

Direct Deposit: Percentage of payments and transactions performed through direct deposit)

2015-16 Results:

  • 94.7% of EI payments were issued via Direct Deposit (target 90%)
  • 95.3% of CPP payments were issued via Direct Deposit (target 90%)
  • 96.8% of OAS payments were issued via Direct Deposit (target 90%)

5. Additional departmental sustainable development activities and initiatives

The Department first launched the Smart Publishing Initiative back in 2010 to move away from print publishing and take advantage of new technologies to encourage Canadians to get the information they need electronically. This initiative generated significant savings by greatly reducing the costs of printing, distributing and warehousing publications.

All ESDC publications have been closely reviewed and any print requirements is now justified with solid rationale based audience needs and detailed distribution plans for each printed product.

Printing, distributing and warehousing costs were reduced from $2.1M in 2010-2011 to $400,000 in 2013-2014, $324,000 in 2014-2015 and $227,000 in 2015-2016.

6. Sustainable development management system

In support of our modernization agenda at ESDC, our vision is to ensure that effective environmental sustainability is integrated in our daily operations and when providing services to Canadians in order to reduce the Department's ecological footprint.

ESDC over the last fiscal year has enhanced its environmental sustainability perspective it takes in the development of policy, program and service delivery. The focus on digital first service is just one example of effective environmental sustainability practices across the department.  

Additional information on ESDC’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy and Strategic Environmental Assessment process is available on the departmental website publications on sustainable development.

7. Strategic environmental assessment

During the 2015–16 reporting cycle, Employment and Social Development considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. Through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, Employment and Social Development proposals were found to have positive effects on progress toward the 2013–16 FSDS goals and targets in Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.

Additional information on ESDC’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy and Strategic Environmental Assessment process is available on the departmental website publications on sustainable development.

 

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