Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2020 to 2023

On this page

• List of abbreviations
• 1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
• 2. Sustainable development vision and context for Employment and Social Development Canada
• 3. Commitments for Employment and Social Development Canada
• 4. Integrating sustainable development into Employment and Social Development’s operations and decision-making
• Annex 1: United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

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List of abbreviations

CSPS

Canada School of Public Service

DSDS

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

ESDC

Employment and Social Development Canada

FSDA

Federal Sustainable Development Act

FSDS

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

GHG

Greenhouse Gas

MS

Microsoft

PSPC

Public Service and Procurement Canada

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal

SEA

Strategic Environmental Assessment

SOSA

Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements

SUV

Sport Utility Vehicle

TBS

Treasury Board Secretariat

ZEV

Zero emission vehicle

2030 Agenda

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

ktCO2e

Kiloton of carbon dioxide equivalent

1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) supports the sustainable development objectives articulated in the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). The FSDS sets out the Government of Canada sustainable development priorities. It establishes goals and targets, and identifies actions to achieve them. Actions to implement the FSDS also support the environmentally-focused Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda^{Footnote 1}.

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2019 to 2022 FSDS presents the Government of Canada’s goals and targets for sustainable development. Putting goals and targets in place is required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). The Act helps guide the development of the federal Government’s strategy. This Act is also in place to make sure that the government’s strategy related to the environment is transparent, and that government is held accountable to Parliament for its actions. ESDC supports the goals of the FSDS through initiatives described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

ESDC is the lead department responsible for the coordination of the country’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Canada and all other 192 United Nations Member States adopted in September 2015.^{Footnote 2} Canada’s approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda includes working with multiple stakeholders at once. It also includes multiple initiatives with equal consideration of social, economic, and environmental factors. The approach is centered on the commitment to leave no one behind and it also focuses on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)^{Footnote 3} that aim to address current and future social, economic and environmental challenges.

The 17 SDGs recognize that ending poverty must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth. These strategies must also aim to tackle climate change and must work to protect and preserve the environment. The department’s DSDS supports ESDC’s contribution to environmental sustainability and the 2030 Agenda.

2. Sustainable development vision and context for Employment and Social Development Canada

Sustainable development vision

ESDC's vision for sustainable development is to support the improvement of Canadians’ social, economic, and environmental well-being through policies, services and operations that contribute to:

• the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, and
• the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

ESDC’s management team and employees will demonstrate leadership on sustainable development by striving to:

• integrate economic, social, and environmental considerations into the department’s decision-making related to:
  • policies
  • services, and
  • operations
• include stakeholders from across all levels of government, Indigenous peoples, the private and non-profit sectors and the public to help implement actions that build a more sustainable society
• adopt practices that reduce the department’s environmental footprint and reflect sustainable development principles in all its operations
• use technologies strategically in the transformation of services and operations to reduce the environmental impact of the department’s activities, and
• foster a workforce and culture that is committed to sustainable development and aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste

Employment and Social Development Canada’s context

The department delivers a wide range of programs and services that support Canadians throughout their lives. The department is responsible for distributing over $140 billion in benefits to individuals and organizations through Government of Canada programs and services. Examples of programs and services are: Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, the Canada Pension Plan and the Canada Student Loans Program. Service Canada provides government services and information online, by phone, by mail, and in person to millions of Canadians each year.^{Footnote 4}

ESDC’s operations contribute directly to the Greening Government goal of the 2019 to 2022 FSDS. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint of government operations. More specifically, the target is to reduce overall Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

Until now, ESDC has put in place initiatives to support the Greening Government goal of the FSDS. These have already reduced the department’s GHG emissions by 79% from 2005 levels. To further reduce its GHG emission and its overall environmental footprint, ESDC will explore new initiatives that cover:

• fleet management practices
• green procurement procedures, and
• information management and technology

Section 3 includes ESDC’s commitments to support the FSDS Greening Government goal.

ESDC is also taking action to offset its GHG emissions. As a first pilot, the Department implemented a tree planting initiative to minimize the environmental impacts for real property projects in British Columbia. ESDC partnered with Trees Canada to plant 5,000 Red Cedar and Douglas Fir seedlings on First Nations land. As a result, up to 25,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be sequestered.

COVID-19 has significantly affected the department’s operating context, including the way in which the Government of Canada delivers programs and services. In response to this health crisis, ESDC led the rapid creation and delivery of social and economic programs to support Canadians in these difficult times. The Department also expanded and created more ways to digitally deliver services to Canadians. The increased availability of online applications means that, in some circumstances, Canadians do not have to visit Service Canada offices. Online applications also reduce paper consumption and ESDC’s carbon footprint associated with the delivery of documents. While the department will continue to have in-person service, the ability for Canadians to choose how they interact with the department should sustain some of the positive environmental impacts associated with changes to service delivery made during the pandemic.

The department also adopted new technologies and ways of working. The department has adjusted its operations, including by encouraging widespread teleworking, enabling electronic signatures, and increasing the use of virtual meeting tools. The use of these tools has shifted the department away from the use of paper and reduced the carbon footprint associated with daily employee commutes and occasional travel outside the office. The department’s operational responses to COVID-19 have resulted in more sustainable business practices with positive environmental impacts that are expected to be largely sustained into the future. ESDC will also go further and build off these positive changes to make the way its works for and serves Canadians even more sustainable in the future.

Section 4 presents ESDC’s approach to make its operations greener. This section also outlines how ESDC plans to include broader sustainable development considerations into its policy, services, and operational decisions.

3. Commitments for Employment and Social Development Canada

Greening Government Goal: The Government of Canada will transition to low carbon, climate resilient and green operations.

4. Integrating sustainable development into ESDC’s operations and decision-making

Sustainability in policy and program development

ESDC integrates sustainable development through key documents that support Government of Canada decision-making. ESDC requires that these key documents, such as Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board Submissions and Budget Proposals, undergo a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). An SEA is an analysis of the impacts of a policy or program proposal on the environment. SEAs also include consideration of relevant FSDS goals and targets. Through its use of SEAs, ESDC will continue to include considerations of FSDS goals and targets in its decision-making process.

When SEAs are completed, public statements on the results of ESDC’s assessment are published. These public statements demonstrate that the department considered the environmental effects of an approved policy, plan or program. They also include the impacts on achieving FSDS goals and targets.

Sustainability in the design of services and operations

ESDC and Service Canada are transforming large parts of their operations to meet client expectations and enhance the quality of their experience. The use of information and digital technologies are at the centre of major initiatives that will reduce the department’s operational footprint and GHG emissions. Key initiatives include:

• modernizing benefits delivery for key programs such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security:
  • in addition to improving client service, improvements to service delivery processes and renewal of information technology infrastructure will reduce the environmental impact of delivering these programs and benefits through increased efficiencies
• the introduction of eServiceCanada and the Outreach Support Centre have assisted Canadians in reaching Service Canada without the need to travel to a Service Canada Center:
  • with some employees working from home and Canadians accessing services from home, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced
  • this will have an environmental impact, at least in the short term, until all offices reopen and client behaviour stabilizes
  • reducing the department’s operational footprint could have an impact on, for example, the amount of travel done by regional staff to deliver programs via outreach initiatives
• increasing use of online collaborative technologies and virtual training capacity for employees:
  • this initiative also implies a reduction of the carbon footprint through a decrease of the department’s transportation needs
• implementing internal e-approval processes and adopting digital briefings and e-binders to reduce approval time and the use of paper, printers and ink

In response to COVID-19, ESDC has made significant changes in how it operates and delivers services to Canadians. The department has adopted operational practices that are more sustainable and it will maintain these positive gains and build off them to make the way ESDC works even more sustainable in the future.

Future sustainable development initiatives

In addition to transforming its service delivery and operations, ESDC will move forward with activities that reflect the principles of sustainable development. These principles include fostering innovative and greener ways of working through smaller projects and initiatives. Reducing ESDC’s GHG emissions is not only about fleet management or green procurement. The department will therefore also focus on:

• improving its operations
• encouraging and supporting employees in adopting greener practices, and
• integrating sustainability into its innovation efforts

Along with the SEAs required from all departments, ESDC will develop tools to help analyse and incorporate findings into briefings for ministers and senior officials. These tools will be particularly important for the 8 SDGs in which ESDC plays a key role (a list of all 17 SDGs can be found in Annex 1). In addition, decisions from management and employee practices can also contribute to other sustainable development issues, such as:

• health and well-being
• water usage, and
• healthy communities

To support decisions focused on sustainability, the department will develop training and make information on its buildings’ waste management audit report and GHG data more available. ESDC will also promote a green mindset for operational activities and employee behaviours. The annual Departmental Results Report will identify progress on ESDC’s efforts to ensure sustainable development. Below are some concrete examples of activities the department will undertake.

Seizing opportunities to further green operations

ESDC’s large physical footprint is an opportunity for the department to adopt greener and more sustainable operations. The department works closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in managing its accommodations and real property. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the department was working towards reducing the footprint of its buildings, operations, and maintenance. The pandemic has pushed the entire department to work remotely as much as possible, which has created positive, short-term environmental impacts.

Additional operational changes and improved data collection will be explored to better position ESDC to green its operations, such as:

• improving the capture of GHG data resulting from the department’s operations and activities. This will help identify further opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint
• reviewing departmental policies, practices and standards to promote greener decision-making by managers (for example, air travel, procurement)
• working with PSPC to ensure that recycling programs are implemented where municipalities allow, and
• ensuring ESDC’s facilities are enabling for greener mode of transportation, for example by ensuring enough bicycle parking locations are available to employees or having electric car charging stations

ESDC is undertaking measures to minimize the potential impacts of climate change on the provision of services and benefits to Canadians. For example, ESDC will continue to include considerations of climate change risks into departmental risk assessment and planning activities. ESDC will also integrate climate change-related factors into Business Impact Assessments, Business Continuity Plans and Emergency preparedness exercises.

Employee engagement and innovation

The department’s success towards sustainability goals relies on its employees. Their contribution will be valuable in helping ESDC reduce its environmental footprint. ESDC will therefore support the development of employee-driven initiatives that reflect the diversity of the department. The department will do so by:

• identifying a senior-level departmental champion and establishing a Sustainable Development Committee with department-wide and diverse membership – including representatives of employee networks to support the development of Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies and ongoing idea generation
• creating green teams by branch, region or building and supporting the work of existing committees, and
• promoting a greener mindset among employees and encouraging greener choices through awareness, information sharing, and opportunities for engagement in green activities and training programs to encourage work-related and individual environmental choices

Sustainability also requires innovation to improve current activities and to create new practices and processes. ESDC has a wide range of initiatives to encourage internal innovation. For example, the department has an Internal Innovation Fund to support testing of employee-generated ideas to improve operations and service delivery. Including sustainability considerations into ESDC’s innovation activities will help create new ways of making the department more efficient and its practices greener.

Annex 1: United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

* Sustainable Development Goals related to ESDC’s mission and core responsibilities

1. No poverty – end poverty in all its forms everywhere *
2. Zero hunger – end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Good health and well being – ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Quality education – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all *
5. Gender equality – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls *
6. Clean water and sanitation – ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Affordable and clean energy – ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Decent work and economic growth – promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all *
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure – build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
10. Reduced inequalities – reduce inequality within and among countries *
11. Sustainable cities and communities – make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable *
12. Responsible consumption and production – ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Climate action – take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14. Life below water – conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Life on land – protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Peace justice and strong institutions – promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels *
17. Partnerships for the goals – strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development *