Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

From Employment and Social Development Canada

Official title: Employment and Social Development Canada 2016–2017 Departmental Results Report

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.

2. Our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes ESDC’s actions in support of Theme IV: shrinking the environmental footprint, beginning with government. The report for 2016–17 presents a high level overview of results and is the final report under the 2013–16 FSDS. Last year’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy report is available on the departmental website.

3. Departmental performance highlights

Theme IV: shrinking the environmental footprint, beginning with government

Under Theme IV, the ESDC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through 9 implementation strategies for Goal 6: GHG Emissions and Energy, and Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management.

Goal 6: GHG emissions and energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

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.
  • 1.44 kt
GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2016−17.

Targeted: 1.20 kt

  • 0.319 kt
Renewable power emission credits applied in current fiscal year (kt CO2 equivalent).

Targeted: 0 kt

  • 0 kt
Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005–06 to fiscal year 2016−17, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable.

Targeted: 17% decrease (ESDC aims to maintain or exceed this figure).

  • 78% 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]
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: 90% by March 31, 2017 (18 procurement specialists, 31 materiel management specialists)

  • 38/45 (84%) 17 procurement specialist and 38 material management specialist
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: 100 % by March 31, 2017 (22 managers and functional heads)

  • 31/31 (100%)

Departmental green procurement target: 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: 70% of new contracts for logistics services, fiscal year 2016-2017

  • Achieved (100%)
  • 40% of new contracts for logistics services, fiscal year 2014–15
  • 60% of new contracts for logistics services, fiscal year 2015–16
  • 70% of new contracts for logistics services, fiscal year 2016–17

Departmental green procurement target: 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

Targets: 10 litres per 100  km (or less), between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2017 (three fiscal years; therefore, any single fiscal year within that timeframe may be slightly lower or slightly higher)

  • Achieved (9.2 litres per 100 km)

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: Contracts in place for FY 2016-17.

  • Yes

Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact

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
Best practice:
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
An approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace in place by 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 (i.e., printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings).

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status.
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.

During the 2016/17 fiscal year, ESDC will be collecting statistical information on paper usage across the department to produce a baseline. 

In subsequent years commencing 2017/18, ESDC will establish a targeted performance level and report on the same.

  • The department Exceeded in this target area in FY 2016-17 by achieving the following:
    • In FY 2016-17, the department consumed 109.8M sheets of paper. The plan is to reduce per capita volume by 5% in FY 2017-2018. In fact, ESDC’s paper volume decreased by 8% to 101M sheets during FY 2016-17, even with the increased hiring of over 1100 employees for EI readiness, exceeding the target by 3%.
    • 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 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 user to print device ratios to fall within the 10:1 to 15:1 range. The current ratio is 11.8:1 exceeding the TBS target of 8:1.
7.3.1.5. Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage.  

Targets: IT Asset Management selects hardware via a category on the National Master Standing Offer (NMSO). SSC selects the actual hardware that aligns to the category and our specifications. It is unknown if the NMSO follows a standard for power consumption for hardware.
ESDC selects 100% the small form factor desktop which utilizes a smaller footprint along with a reduction of materials to manufacture the hardware.
ESDC has adopted the use of tablets within the Executive group.

  • ESDC’s implementation of this target is in progress:
    • ESDC procures IT equipment that utilizes a smaller footprint along with a reduction of materials to manufacture the hardware.
    • ESDC has a strategy to increase the current ratio of mobile to desktop devices from 25-75 to 30-70 in the coming 5 years. Increasing the use of mobile devices (laptops/tablets) reduces overall energy consumption within the department.
7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

Targets: Seeking to reach “Achieved” status

  • The department achieved this target. All e-waste follows a standard disposal process and is sent to Computers for Schools (CFS) or Crown Assets Disposal as per the Departmental Asset Disposal process. The department will continue with this process.
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

As reported in the 2015-16 Report on Plans and Priorities, ESDC will increase number of direct deposit services to reduce paper burden.

Expected result: Departmental services to clients have a reduced environmental impact.

Performance Indicator Performance level achieved
Percentage of EI Payments Issued via Direct Deposit.

Seeking to reach “achieved” status (target 90%)

  • 95.6%
Percentage of CPP Payments issued via Direct Deposit.

Seeking to reach “achieved” status (target 90%)

  • 96.4%
Percentage of OAS Payments issued via Direct Deposit.

Seeking to reach “achieved” status (target 90%)

  • 97.7%

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 are 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.

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.

4. Strategic environmental assessment

During the 2016–17 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.

Page details

Date modified: