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Archived: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2013-14 report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 4

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Section 4: Theme IV Implementation Strategies

This section presents Environment Canada’s 2013-14 results for Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government based on the 2010-13 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. In previous planning and reporting cycles, this table was presented as an independent supplementary table (Greening Government Operations) to Report on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports.

Green Building Targets

As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, new construction and build-to-lease projects, and major renovation projects, will achieve an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance.Footnote 9 (Target 8.1 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status On Track
Number of completed new construction, build-to-lease, and major renovation projects in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Number of completed new construction, build-to-lease, and major renovation projects that have achieved an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes, Completed in October 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

The criteria and supplemental information that apply to the above indicators include:

  1. Minimum level of environmental performance: 3 Green Globes or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) NC (New Construction) / CI (Commercial Interiors) Silver.
  2. Appropriate threshold (dollar value and floor area): $1 million and 400 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: All departmental custodial buildings, as per the departmental Green Building Strategic Framework.
  4. Industry-recognized assessment and verification tool(s) to be used: Green Globes or LEED.
  5. Projects are identified during the departmental Integrated Investment Planning process.
  6. The target identified was specifically for projects scheduled for completion in 2013-14.
  7. Rationale for target status: One project identified in 2013-14 had not yet been completed due to project delays, but is expected to be completed by 2015-16. Strategic framework is in place.

As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, existing crown buildings over 1000 m2 will be assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool.Footnote 10 (Target 8.2 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Number of buildings over 1000 m2, according to the departmental strategic framework.  16
Percentage of buildings over 1000 m2 in the given fiscal year that have been assessed using an industry-recognized assessment tool, according to the departmental strategic framework.  100%
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes, Completed in October 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

As of March 31, 2014, all 16 buildings scheduled for assessment had been registered and assessed.

A decision was made to divest two buildings for which assessments were on hold in the 2012-13 DPR. This has reduced the total number of buildings which needed to be assessed from 18 to 16. 

Level 1 certification has been achieved at one site, and is being sought for the remaining 15 sites.

The criteria and supplemental information that apply to the above indicators include:

  1. Minimum level of assessment: BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) BESt (Building Environmental Standards) Level 1.
  2. Appropriate threshold (floor area): 1000 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: All departmental custodial, Crown-owned buildings over 1000 m2, as per the departmental Green Building Strategic Framework.
  4. Industry-recognized assessment tool(s) to be used: BOMA BESt.
  5. Rationale for target status: Target has been met. Strategic framework is in place.

As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, new lease or lease renewal projects over 1000 m2, where the Crown is the major lessee, will be assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool.Footnote 11 (Target 8.3 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Number of completed lease and lease renewal projects over 1000 m2 in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework.  0
Number of completed lease and lease renewal projects over 1000 m2 that were assessed using an industry-recognized assessment tool in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework.  0
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes, Completed in October 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

The criteria and supplemental information that apply to the above indicators include:

  1. Minimum level of assessment: BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) BESt (Building Environmental Standards) Level 1.
  2. The appropriate threshold (floor area): 1000 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: All departmental custodial, direct-leased buildings over 1000 m2, as per the departmental Green Building Strategic Framework.
  4. Industry-recognized assessment tool(s) to be used: BOMA = BESt.
  5. Rationale for target status: No projects fell within the threshold (floor area) of 1,000 m2 in 2013-14. Strategic framework is in place.

As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, fit-up and refit projects will achieve an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance.Footnote 12 (Target 8.4 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Number of completed fit-up and refit projects in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework.  0
Number of completed fit-up and refit projects that have achieved an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework.  0
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes, Completed in October 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

The criteria and supplemental information that apply to the above indicators include:

  1. Minimum level of environmental performance: 3 Green Globes or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) Silver.
  2. The appropriate threshold (dollar value and floor area): $1 million and 400 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: All departmental custodial buildings, as per the departmental Green Building Strategic Framework.
  4. Industry-recognized assessment and verification tool(s) to be used: Green Globes or LEED.
  5. Projects are identified during the departmental Integrated Investment Planning process.
  6. Rationale for target status: No projects fell within the threshold (dollar value and floor area) of $1 million and 400 m2 in 2013-14. Strategic framework is in place.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target

The federal government will take action now to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its operations to match the national target of 17% below 2005 by 2020. (Target 8.5 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status On Track
Departmental GHG reduction target: Percentage of absolute reduction in GHG emissions by FY 2020-21, relative to FY 2005-06. 17%
Departmental GHG emissions in FY 2005-06, in kilotons of CO2 equivalent. 22.6
Departmental GHG emissions in the given fiscal year, in kilotons of CO2 equivalent. 22.1
Change in departmental GHG emissions from FY 2005-06 to the end of the given fiscal year, expressed as a percentage. -2.9%
Existence of an implementation plan to reduce GHG emissions. Yes

Strategies and/or Comments

The criteria and supplemental information that apply to the above indicators include:

  1. Targeted GHG emissions sources include facilities and fleet.
  2. Environment Canada monitors and reports annually on GHG emissions from its entire fleet inventory and 93% of its owned floor space. The annual quantification of emissions from the remaining 7% of floor space is calculated by assuming that the GHG emissions and energy consumption at these facilities will remain constant at 2005 levels. The calculation is necessary because of the excessive amount of time and effort involved in obtaining complete and accurate data for these facilities. Environment Canada owns many small structures located in remote areas, such as National Wildlife Areas and upper air stations.
  3. Environment Canada’s implementation plan to reduce GHG emissions includes site-specific targets and actionable measures focused on specific categories (e.g. operations).
  4. Rationale for target status: 2.9% reduction in GHG emissions represents progress toward the longer-term target of 17% reduction by 2020.

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. (Target 8.6 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Existence of an implementation plan for the disposal of all departmentally generated EEE. Completed by March 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 and/or Comments

  1. Definition of “location”: For the purpose of this Departmental Performance Report, departmental locations will be defined as regions.
  2. Number of locations: Environment Canada is located in 6 regions across Canada.
  3. Implementation strategies: A department-wide EEE implementation plan has been developed that outlines all considerations as required by the mandatory implementation strategies for this target in the FSDS.
  4. Rationale for target status: Target has been met.

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 configuration allow. (Target 8.7 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Exceeded
Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units in fiscal year 2010-11, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow. (Optional) Data not currently available
Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units at the end of the given fiscal year, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow. 9:1

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Definition of “printing units”: For the 2013-14 target, Environment Canada continued to define printing units as network printers and multi-functional devices, and has also added plotters into the data. In future years, the Department will work to include other categories such as desktop printers, fax machines and/or photocopiers as departmental inventories progress and improve.
  2. Environment Canada anticipates a flux in the ratio as it makes progress with scanning of all servers. Previous scanning and data collection were directed to and from print servers; The Department is now finding that devices in the regions are also being configured on regular file servers by Shared Services Canada and staff who were previously outside the Department’s scanning range.
  3. Environment Canada will include all departmental employees, instead of only office employees, and will track its calculation using annual data from a departmental human resource inventory. Printing devices will be tracked using departmental scanning and inventory data.
  4. In 2013-14, the Print Services group began to map the locations of print devices in all buildings and floors, allowing the number of devices to continue to decrease while still supporting clients with adequate printing solution (e.g., using multi-function devices to replace multiple older, slower network printers).
  5. Rationale for target status: Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units exceeds target of 8:1.

Paper Consumption Target

By March 31, 2014, each department will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee by 20%. Each department will establish a baseline between 2005-06 and 2011-12, and an applicable scope. (Target 8.8 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Exceeded
Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per office employee in the selected baseline year, according to the departmental scope.  2468:1
Cumulative reduction (or increase) in paper consumption per office employee in the given fiscal year, expressed as a percentage, relative to the selected baseline year.  48%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Environment Canada established a baseline year of 2010-11, and has established baseline paper consumption quantities, a tracking methodology, and applicable scope.
  2. Environment Canada has implemented a number of best practices including default duplex printing and printer rationalization; these contribute to less paper being consumed (as fewer printers are in use). Online document management and collaboration tools have both improved information management across the department and contributed to the 48% reduction in paper use, due to changes and improvements in how the Department creates, stores, organizes and manages documents electronically.
  3. Rationale for target status: Cumulative reduction in paper consumption per office employee exceeds target of 20%.

Green Meetings Target

By March 31, 2012, each department will adopt a guide for greening meetings. (Target 8.9 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Presence of a green meetings guide.

Yes

Updated in July 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Environment Canada developed the Green Meeting Guide and has encouraged its use in all types and levels of meetings since its release. The guide is also applied to major events hosted by the Department.
  2. Over 150 videoconferencing locations across Canada are accessible to Environment Canada employees for virtual meetings or presentations with colleagues throughout the Department.
  3. Rationale for target status: Target has been met.

Green Procurement Targets

As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish at least three SMART green procurement targets to reduce environmental impacts. (Target 8.10 from 2010-13 FSDS)

1. By April 1, 2012, Environment Canada will utilize green consolidated procurement instruments for 95% of its standard office desktop computer purchases.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Number of standard office desktop computer units purchased using green procurement instruments that meet the target relative to the total number of all standard office desktop computer units purchased. 19.8:20
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year. 99%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target meets all criteria of a SMART target that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
  2. Environment Canada buys its standard office desktop computer purchases from Public Works and Government Services Canada's (PWGSC) standing offer (SO) for Information Technology (IT) equipment. The SO offers equipment that meets internationally recognized and multi-faceted environmental standards such as Electronic Product Environment Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Silver, as well as a number of environmental considerations that include levels of hazardous materials content, energy efficiency, design for end of life/disassembly, reduced packaging, supplier environmental performance and extended life of computer assets.
  3. Rationale for target status: 99% of Environment Canada’s desktop computer units purchased (1575 standard office notebooks, 150 standard office workstations and 100 toughbooks / toughpads) were procured using the NMSO/RVD procurement instruments provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada. 

2. By March 31, 2014, Environment Canada will achieve a 90% reduction in bottled water purchases from 2007-08 levels.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Exceeded
Departmental expenditures on bottled water purchased in 2007-08: $149K
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year.

95% reduction

(total expenditure: $7,911)

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target meets all criteria of a SMART target that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A departmental policy on bottled water has been implemented to support the elimination of supplemental bottled water purchases where potable water is already being supplied through the building’s infrastructure.
  2. Environment Canada has implemented the departmental Policy on Bottled Water.
  3. Some municipalities-and therefore buildings-have recently experienced problems with potable water during 2013-14, resulting in a slight increase in purchases of bottled water for staff in those buildings.
  4. Scope: This target is applicable throughout the Department and applies to all buildings where employees occupy a full-time place of work.
  5. Exceptions to this target: Bottled water was purchased for field work or in remote locations, scientific experimentation, emergencies, travel status (as outlined in the National Joint Council Travel Directive) and for hospitality as per the Directive on the Management of Expenditures on Travel and Hospitality and Conference.
  6. Rationale for target status: 90% target has been exceeded.

3. By March 31, 2014, 90% of copy paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and have a forest certification or EcoLogoM or equivalent certification.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Exceeded
Dollar value of paper purchases meeting the target relative to the total dollar value of all paper purchases in the given year of reporting. $94K of $94K
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year. 100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Environment Canada paper purchases are made through standing offers established by PWGSC.
  2. Excludes purchases of specialty papers for mapping, scientific research and scientific instruments.
  3. Rationale for target status: 90% target has been exceeded.

As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish SMART targets for training, employee performance evaluations, and management processes and controls, as they pertain to procurement decision making. (Target 8.11 from 2010-13 FSDS)

Training for select employees
By March 31, 2014, 90% of designated materiel managers and procurement personnel will have taken a recognized training course on green procurement offered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), or any other federal department.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Opportunity for Improvement
Number of designated materiel managers and procurement personnel who have taken the course relative to the total of all designated materiel managers and procurement personnel who must take a recognized training course on green procurement offered by the CSPS, or any other federal department. 17 of 22
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year. 77%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target meets all criteria of a SMART target that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
  2. All Environment Canada procurement specialists are required to take green procurement training. There is a commitment that all new procurement and contracting staff will be trained within 6 months of accepting a position with Environment Canada.
  3. Targets have not been met to date due to continued high levels of staff turnover throughout fiscal year 2013-14.  
  4. Rationale for target status: As of March 31, 2014, 17 of 22 (77%) of the procurement and contracting staff had completed the training, thus falling short of the 90% target.

Employee performance evaluations for managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management

As of April 1, 2014, environmental considerations will be incorporated into 100% of all the performance evaluations of designated functional heads of procurement and materiel management.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Number of performance evaluations of designated functional heads of procurement and materiel management that incorporate environmental considerations, relative to the total number of performance evaluations of all designated functional heads of procurement and materiel management. 3 of 3
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year. 100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Previously vacant positions have now been filled.
  2. Since March 31, 2012, filled positions have incorporated environmental considerations in their performance evaluations.
  3. Rationale for target status: All performance evaluations include environmental considerations.

Management processes and controls

By March 31, 2014, a minimum of 4 designated management processes and controls, as they pertain to procurement, will have incorporated environmental considerations.

Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Exceeded
Number of management processes and controls that pertain to procurement that have environmental considerations. 5
Progress against performance measure in the given fiscal year. 100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This will always be a dynamic, variable number as year-round planning and departmental priorities vary from year to year. Increasingly, program areas or enabling services find it necessary to incorporate management frameworks to continually measure and monitor progress in the current results-oriented environment.
  2. Management processes and controls identified: IT Assets Management Policy; Integrated Investment Planning process; Accommodations Investment Planning process; Accommodations Framework; and Real Property Framework.
  3. Rationale for target status: The Department has exceeded the target of having 4 management processes and controls in place pertaining to procurement that incorporate environmental considerations.
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2018-01-11