Archived: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2014-15 report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 4
Section 4: Theme IV Targets and Implementation Strategies (Greening Government Operations)
This section presents Environment Canada’s 2014-15 achievements towards Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government.
Goal 6: 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.
Departmental target: 17% below 2005 levels by 2020
Scope and Context
Targeted GHG emissions sources include facilities and fleet. Environment Canada monitors and reports annually on GHG emissions from its entire fleet inventory and 16 of its custodial facilities, representing 93% of its floor space. Fleet emissions have dropped by 25% below the 2005-06 levels; therefore, focus has shifted to reduce facility emissions. Site-specific, SMART targets have been set focusing on the implementation of reduction opportunities in six categories: operational improvements; maintenance procedures; occupant engagement; life cycle management; energy performance contracting; and other best practices.
Link to department's PAA
Sub-Program 4.1.3: Asset Management Services
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 [February 25, 2015] |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005-2006 | 22.8 kt |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2014-15, not accounting for renewable power emission credits, if applicable | 21.6 kt |
| Renewable power emission credits applied in fiscal year 2014-15 (kt CO2 equivalent) | 0 kt |
| Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005-2006 to the fiscal year 2014-15, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable | -5.1% |
| Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions (indicate if not applicable) | +0.2 kt The Department's base year GHG emission levels (FY 2005-06) have been recalculated using emission factors from the latest electricity intensity tables published by Environment Canada. These factors, which are used to calculate the Department's emissions from purchased electricity, have been updated due to changes in Environment Canada's methodology for quantifying emissions from electricity generation in Canada. |
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.
Link to department's PAA
Sub-Sub-Program: 4.1.3.1 Real Property
Performance Measurement
Expected Result
An industry-recognized level of high environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
| Real Property Sustainability Framework in place to improve the management of energy, waste and water in departmental real property assets by March 31, 2015. | No [Fall 2015] Environment Canada is working to finalize its Real Property Sustainability Framework by mid-year 2015-16. |
| 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) | 16 Crown-owned buildings 103,937 m2 0 New lease or lease renewal projects Assessment tool used: BOMA BESt level 1 |
| Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings, new construction, build-to-lease projects, major renovations projects, achieving an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance, and associated floor space (m2) | 0 Crown-owned buildings 0 New construction projects A new building project began in 2014-15, but due to construction delays it will be built in 2015-16. 0 Build-to-lease projects 0 Major renovation projects |
| Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance | 0 Fit-up and refit projects |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Performance level achieved |
| 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). | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.3. Develop plans to address environmental performance assessment recommendations for existing Crown-owned buildings. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.4. Manage the collection, diversion and disposal of workplace waste in Crown-owned buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.5. Manage construction, renovation and demolition waste in Crown-owned buildings in an environmentally responsible manner. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.6. Develop an approach to improve performance of Crown-owned buildings via automation and commissioning. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.7. Develop an approach to building operator training in Crown-owned buildings. | Reached “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, facility condition etc.). | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.1.1.9. Benchmark and report annually on the energy usage intensity of Crown-owned office buildings using an industry recognized tool. | Reached “Achieved” Status |
Best Practice 7.1.2. Real property managers and functional heads responsible for new construction, leases or existing building operations will have clauses related to environmental considerations incorporated into their performance evaluations. |
Did not reach “Achieved” status Starting in 2015-16, performance agreements of all building superintendents and their managers now include clauses related to environmental considerations. |
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.
Link to department's PAA
Sub-Sub-Program: 4.1.3.3 Acquisition
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. | A departmental approach was developed in 2014-15 and is on track to be implemented by mid-year 2015-16. |
| Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in fiscal year 2014-15. | 26 of 29 90% |
| Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution towards green procurement in fiscal year 2014-15. | 4 of 4 100% |
Departmental Green Procurement Target
By March 31, 2017, 90% of copy paper will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
| Percentage of copy paper purchases that contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and have forest certification of EcoLogoM or equivalent. | 100% [March 31 2015] Excludes specialty papers used for plotters, graphs and scientific equipment. |
Departmental Green Procurement Target:
By March 31, 2017, 70% of office furniture purchases will include criteria to reduce the environmental impact associated with the production, acquisition, use and/or disposal of the furniture.
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
| Dollar value or volume of purchases that meet the objective relative to total expenditures on all office furniture. | 81% of furniture purchases (by volume) [March 31, 2015] |
Departmental Green Procurement Target:
As of April 1, 2015, 90% of new contracts that include janitorial services will include the use of janitorial products, equipment and processes that minimize the environmental impact.
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
| Number of new contracts awarded that include terms related to minimizing environmental impact, relative to the total number of contracts for janitorial services. | 50% [March 31, 2015] It is expected that the target will be reached in 2015-16 with full implementation of new templates containing environmental impact clauses and additional training. |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Result (DPR) |
| 7.2.1.5. Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible. | Reached “Achieved” Status |
Best Practice 7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement. |
Did not reach “Achieved” status The Department has been using the Green Procurement course available through the Canada School of Public Service as the standard. Training of acquisition card holders has commenced in 2015-16. Progress will be monitored and reported in the next DPR cycle. |
Best Practice 7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers. |
Did not reach “Achieved” status The Department is on track to disseminate guidance documents in 2015-16. |
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 is in place by March 31, 2015. | Yes [March 31, 2015] |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Performance level achieved |
| 7.3.1.1. Engage employees in greening government operations practices. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.2. Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e. printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings). | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.4. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.7. Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.8. Minimize all non-hazardous solid waste generated and leverage service offerings to maximize the diversion of waste. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.9. Increase the population density in office buildings and space utilization in special purpose buildings. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 7.3.1.10. Maintain or improve sustainable fleet management. | Reached “Achieved” status |
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.
Performance Measurement
Expected Result
Water is managed sustainably in Government of Canada real property operations.
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
| Approach to improving water management included in Real Property Sustainability Framework by March 31, 2015. | No [Fall 2015] An approach to improving water management will be established as part of Environment Canada’s Real Property Sustainability Framework, which the Department is aiming to finalize by mid-year 2015-16. |
| Amount and percentage of floor space in buildings over 1000 m2 that includes water metering, in fiscal year 2014-15 (where feasible). | Crown, existing: 103,937 m2; 100% of floor space New Crown, built-to-lease: 0 m2 Major renovations: 0 m2 Leases: 0 m2 |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Performance level achieved |
| 8.1.1.1. Conserve potable water. | Did not reach “Achieved” status Management of potable water will be addressed as part of Environment Canada’s Real Property Sustainability Framework which the Department is aiming to finalize by mid-year 2015-16. |
| 8.1.1.2. Manage storm water run-off. | Did not reach “Achieved” status Management of storm water run-off will be addressed as part of Environment Canada’s Real Property Sustainability Framework which the Department is aiming to finalize by mid-year 2015-16. |
| 8.1.1.3. Improve the metering of water utility usage for existing Crown- owned buildings. | Reached “Achieved” status |
Best Practice 8.1.2 Conduct potable water audits in Crown-owned assets. |
Reached “Achieved” status |
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