Archived: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2015 to 2016 report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 4
Section 4: Targets and Implementation Strategies for Theme IV (Greening Government Operations)
This section presents ECCC’s 2015-16 results achieved for 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 (GHG) emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
Departmental Target
17% below 2005 by 2020
Scope and Context
Targeted GHG emissions sources include facilities and fleet. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) monitors and reports annually, on GHG emissions from its entire fleet inventory and 15 of its custodial facilities, representing 93% of its floor space. In 2015-16, fleet emissions dropped 35% and facility emissions dropped 4% below 2005-06 levels, exceeding last year’s emissions reductions of 23% and 2% respectively. The Department continues its focus on reducing 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.
ECCC will implement Real Property Environmental Performance, water management, and GHG reduction measures in all custodial buildings that are likely to remain in the portfolio after 2020, with a particular focus for buildings over 1,000 square meters. These buildings mainly include laboratories and are: the Canada Centre for Inland water (CCIW) in Burlington, ON; the River Road complex in Ottawa, ON; the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) in Egbert, ON; the National Hydrometric Research Center (NHRC) in Saskatoon, SK; the Pacific Environmental Science Centre (PESC) in Vancouver, BC; the facility in Whitehorse, YT; and the Eureka Weather Station in Nunavut.
Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture
- Sub-Program 4.1.8: Real Property
- Sub-Program 4.1.9: Materiel
- Sub-Program 4.1.10: Acquisition
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 2005-06. | 22.7 kt |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2015-16, not accounting for renewable power emission credits, if applicable. | 20.3 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. | 10.3 % decrease |
| Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions. | Yes 0.08 kt decrease 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 ECCC. These factors, which are used to calculate the Department's emissions from purchased electricity, have been updated due to changes in ECCC’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 the departmental Real Property Sustainability Framework, an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.
Scope and Context
ECCC will implement Real Property Environmental Performance, water management, and GHG reduction measures in all custodial buildings that are likely to remain in the portfolio after 2020, with a particular focus for buildings over 1,000 square meters. These buildings mainly include laboratories and are: the Canada Centre for Inland water (CCIW) in Burlington, ON; the River Road complex in Ottawa, ON; the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) in Egbert, ON; the National Hydrometric Research Center (NHRC) in Saskatoon, SK; the Pacific Environmental Science Centre (PESC) in Vancouver, BC; the facility in Whitehorse, YT; and the Eureka Weather Station in Nunavut.
Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture
- Sub-Program 4.1.8: 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. | Yes [February 2, 2016] |
| 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 total associated floor space (m2). | 15 Crown-owned buildings 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 and major renovations projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance, and total associated floor space (m2). | 0 Crown-owned buildings 1 New construction projects 0 Build-to-lease projects 0 Major renovation projects 3 Green Globes Building Performance Assessment |
| Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance. | 0 Fit-up and refit projects 0 m2 |
| 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 training for building operators of 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). | 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. |
Reached “Achieved” status |
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 Program Alignment Architecture
- Sub-Program 4.1.10: 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. | Yes [31 September 2015] |
| 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 2015-16. | 20 of 25 officers (80%) |
| Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2015-16. | 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% (excluding 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. | 70% (by volume) [March 31, 2016] |
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. | 91% [March 31, 2016] |
| Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Reached “Achieved” status |
Best Practice 7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers. |
Reached “Achieved” status |
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.
Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture
- Sub-Program 4.1.1: Management and Oversight
- Sub-Program 4.1.7: Information Technology
- Sub-Program 4.1.9: Materiel
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. | Yes [February 2, 2016] |
| 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 (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 increase 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.
Scope and Context
ECCC will implement Real Property Environmental Performance, water management, and GHG reduction measures in all custodial buildings that are likely to remain in the portfolio after 2020, with a particular focus for buildings over 1,000 square meters. These buildings mainly include laboratories and are: the Canada Centre for Inland water (CCIW) in Burlington, ON; the River Road complex in Ottawa, ON; the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments (CARE) in Egbert, ON; the National Hydrometric Research Center (NHRC) in Saskatoon, SK; the Pacific Environmental Science Centre (PESC) in Vancouver, BC; the facility in Whitehorse, YT; and the Eureka Weather Station in Nunavut.
Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture
- Sub-Program 4.1.8: Real Property
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 in place by March 31, 2015. | Yes [February 2, 2016] |
| Amount and percentage of floor space in buildings over 1000 m2 that includes water metering, in fiscal year 2015-16 (where feasible). | Crown, existing: 102,237 m2 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. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 8.1.1.2. Manage storm water run-off. | Reached “Achieved” status |
| 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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