Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16 – archived presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in this supplementary information table.

This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the results for Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.

2. Our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

IRCC’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) contains actions in support of Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government. The DSDS report for 2016–17 presents a high-level overview of results over and above those reported on in detail last year. Last year’s DSDS progress report can be found here: Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2013-16.

3. Themes I to III

IRCC is not responsible for any targets under Themes I-III of the FSDS.

IRCC’s Highlights for Theme IV

Under Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government, IRCC contributed to the FSDS through two implementation strategies, under Goals 6 and 7.

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations.

FSDS Target

  • 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.

FSDS Performance Indicator

  • Departmental GHG emission reductions from building and fleets relative to fiscal year 2005–06, expressed as a percentage.
    • Performance status: 46% decrease from baseline year.

Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management

Reduce waste generated and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life-cycle.

FSDS Target

  • 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.

FSDS Performance Indicator

  • Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place.
    • Performance status: The Policy is in place and maintained annually.
  • Number and percentage of specialists in procurement and/or material management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Procurement course or equivalent, in the given fiscal year.
    • Performance status: Of 17 employees in procurement, 14 (83%) have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215). The three remaining employees are new and will complete the course in 2017–18 as will any new hires.
  • 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.
    • Performance status: In FY 2017–18, seven managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management (100%, i.e., one director general, one director, two assistant directors, and three managers) will have performance evaluations that include support and contribution toward green procurement.
Departmental performance indicators for departmental green procurement targets.
  • Overall fleet fuel efficiency: By March 31, 2017, percentage of vehicles that are purchased that are right sized for operational needs and are the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their class available at the time of purchase and/or are an alternative fuel vehicle.
    • Performance status: One fuel-efficient vehicle was purchased in 2016–17 (see below). This represents 100% of all vehicles purchased.
  • Light-duty fleet fuel efficiency: Percentage of all new light-duty vehicles purchased between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2017, with an average rated fuel efficiency of 10 litres per 100 kilometres or less.
    • Performance status:
      • Two vehicles were purchased in 2014–15 in accordance with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Motor Vehicle Standing Offer and fuel efficiency standards:
        • 2015 Toyota Venza: 10.4 litres per 100 km
        • 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan: 11.5 litres per 100 km
      • No vehicles were purchased in 2015–16
      • One vehicle was purchased in 2016–17 in accordance with PSPC’s Motor Vehicle Standing Offer and fuel efficiency standards:
        • 2016 Toyota RAV4: 10.5 litres per 100 km
      • Although none (0%) of the vehicles purchased between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2017 reported an average fuel efficiency of less than 10 litres per 100 kilometres, two of the three vehicles purchased had fuel efficiency of less than or equal to 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
  • Use of recycled paper products: Percentage of copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelope purchases that contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and are certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.
    • Performance status: Achieved 100% of the target established for 2016–17, through PSPC’s standing offer.

FSDS Target

  • Target 7.3: Sustainable Workplace Operations

FSDS Performance Indicator

  • An approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of departmental workplace operations is in place by March 31 2016.
    • Performance status: Policy and directives are in place and reviewed annually for asset management, disposal of assets and printing devices.

Theme IV - Implementation Strategy Performance Summary 2016–17

IRCC has successfully achieved targets 6.1 and 7.2. For the GHG emission targets, the Department is continuing to reduce its vehicle fleet. In addition, vehicles are purchased in accordance with PSPC’s Motor Vehicle Standing Offer and fuel efficiency standards. For the Green Procurement target, IRCC has a green procurement policy in place that is maintained annually. All procurement and materiel management specialists receive green procurement training through the Green Procurement course offered by the Canada School of Public Service, and environmental considerations are incorporated into the performance evaluations of all functional heads of procurement and materiel management.

For target 7.3, IRCC continues to successfully engage employees in greening government operations practices through regular procurement training, FSDS training, outreach meetings, activities and regular communications posted on the IRCC intranet. IRCC has also successfully integrated environmental considerations into procurement and material management policies, processes and practices. For procurement, environmental considerations were incorporated into bid documents (printing, publications, etc.).

4. Strategic Environmental Assessment

During 2016–17, IRCC 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. In 2016, through the Strategic Environmental Assessment process, IRCC reviewed 84% of all Department-led proposals (Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions) before presentation to Cabinet and the Treasury Board. The remaining proposals were reviewed outside the Strategic Environmental Assessment process and found to be exempt under the “previously assessed” Directive exemption for low risk.

For further information on IRCC’s activities to support sustainable development and strategic environmental assessments, please visit the departmental Sustainable Development webpage.

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