Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2016–2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) (PDF, 7.1 MB) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) supports reporting on the implementation of the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

2. Sustainable Development in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

IRCC’s Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for 2017 to 2020 describes the department’s actions in support of achieving the low-carbon government goal. This supplementary information table presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to this goal. Previous years’ supplementary information tables are posted on the IRCC’s website.

3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal

The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2.

Context: Low-Carbon Government

The Government of Canada leads by example be making its operations low-carbon.

FSDS Target: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025.

FSDS Target(s)	FSDS contributing actions	Corresponding departmental actions	Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s)	Results achieved	Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Reduce GHG emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral)	Modernize our fleet	Develop annual fleet plans in support of efficient fleet management including renewing vehicles or reducing vehicle size as required	Starting point: GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year (FY) 2005–06 (base year) = 0.094 kt CO_2e Target: 40% reduction by 2030 Performance indicator: Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from FY 2005–06 to FY 2019–20	GHG emissions from fleet in FY 2019–2020 = 0.038 ktCO_2e Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2019–2020 = 59.57% decrease from baseline	Annual fleet plans are developed and used to monitor vehicle usage, determine disposal and recommend replacements with newer vehicle technologies such as hybrids or all electric powertrains that reduces GHG emissions. UN SDG target 13.2 climate action : Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
		Optimize fleet size	Starting point: Fuel consumption (litre gas equivalent (LGE)) in base year 2005–06: 39,781 L Performance indicator: Overall fuel consumption (LGE) relative to base year: 2005–06: 39,781 L	Fuel Consumption (LGE) in FY 2019-20= 16,574 L Percentage (%) change in fuel consumption from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2019–2020 = 58.34% decrease from baseline	An annual fleet plan is used to determine the efficiency of IRCCs existing fleet against the Treasury Board Guideline on Fleet Management. For example, if a vehicle travels less than 20,000kms/year and is used less than 200 days/year, the vehicle is recommended for Intra/Inter Governmental transfer or public sale in order to optimize existing fleet size and reduce GHG emissions. UN SDG target 12 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
		Reduce carbon intensity through vehicle purchase or replacement with fuel-efficient vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Purchasing of electric vehicles will also be considered.	Starting point: In base year 2016–17, the number of hybrid vehicles in inventory was three and electric vehicles was zero. Performance indicator: Number of hybrid vehicles in FY 2019–20 Number of electric vehicles in FY 2019–20	Number of hybrid vehicles in FY 2019–20: 9 Number of electric vehicles in FY 2019–20: 0	Fleet management adheres to Treasury Board Guidelines on Light Duty Vehicles and Executive Vehicles when acquiring new or replacing existing vehicles. PSPC standing offers are leveraged in order to obtain the most fuel efficient option for a specific application (hybrid or all electric). The acquisition reduces carbon intensity and lowers GHG emissions. UN SDG target 12 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
		Promote behavioural change (e.g., anti-idling messages, fleet manager and driver training)	Performance indicator: Number and percentage of fleet managers who receive training on vehicle fleet best practices	4 out of 8 (50%) fleet managers received training on vehicle fleet best practices In addition, two messages were sent to fleet managers/drivers to encourage “no idling” behaviour	Fleet management supports behavioral change by developing training material and providing one on one training sessions to fleet managers and fleet users on the best greening practices which lead to reduced GHG emissions. UN SDG target 13.3 climate action : Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
	Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement	Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls. Procure green items (e.g., paper, vehicles, and electrical equipment) through mandatory National Master Standing Offers	Performance indicator: Percentage of all vehicles purchased with an average rated fuel efficiency of 10 litres per 100 km or less	100% of new vehicle purchases (1 out of 1) was a hybrid with fuel efficiency of less than 10 L/100km)	Fleet Management and Procurement supports transition to Low-Carbon economy via acquisition of fuel efficient fleet vehicles. This is reflected in acquiring only hybrid, electric or fuel efficient vehicles where appropriate. Such vehicles have a high fuel efficiency rating and positively impact GHG emission rates. UN SDG target 12.7 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target]			Performance indicator: 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	100% of paper purchases contained 30% recycled content or better via the National Master Standing Offers	Procurement activities support the transition to a low-carbon economy by procuring green items via National Master Standing Offers. For example, all printing paper is procured via National Master Standing Offers which requires suppliers to offer paper that contains minimum 30% of recycled content. These practices support the reduction of IRCC’s ecological footprint and contribute to reducing GHG emissions. UN SDG target 12.7 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
		Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles	Performance indicator: Number of policies, processes and practices that include FSDS considerations	Total: 3 1 Information bulletin containing procedures and instructions regarding the Department’s writing instruments recycling program and office supplies recycling program 1 Information bulletin regarding the renewal of PSPC’s Paper Standing Offer (SO) which came into effect on October 30, 2020 and included environmental, technical and environmental certifications. 1 Instruction document detailing shredding activities related to the National Passport Program.	IRCC’s Material Management Policy team supports low-carbon economy by creating new policies, procedures and information bulletins that include FSDS environmental considerations. These instruments create awareness amongst employees about existing recycling, shredding and paper acquisition programs while promoting their use which directly contributes to the reduction of waste and GHG emissions. UN SDG target 13.2 climate action : Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
		Ensure all procurement officers and decision makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement	Performance indicator: Percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement	100% of procurement specialists have completed green procurement training 100% of materiel management specialists have completed green procurement training	Green procurement and green procurement training incorporates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions which directly lead to reduced embodied GHG emissions in acquired goods and services. Procurement officers who are trained to apply such criteria can result in the award of contracts to suppliers with a reduced GHG footprint. This is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce GHG emissions associated with their goods, services and supply chains. UN SDG target 12.7 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
		Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance management agreements	Performance indicator: Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement in the current fiscal year	7 out of 7 (100%) managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement This includes: 1 Director General 1 Director 3 Assistant Directors 2 Managers	Performance evaluations of Managers and functional heads of procurement include Green procurement objectives in order to educate and ensure procurement officers are leveraging green procurement criteria in solicitations whenever possible. UN SDG target 12.7 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
	Promote sustainable travel practices	Encourage sustainable travel practices through messages and events (e.g., teleconferencing, videoconferencing, telecommuting, green meetings guide, carpooling and public transportation, bike to work event, commuter challenge, etc.)	Performance indicator: Number of messages and events stemming from communications encouraging sustainable travel practices	6 messages sent out via internal communications to all staff promoting the use of teleconferencing and videoconferencing for meetings, and promoting green meetings, carpooling, use of public transportation and biking or walking to work 1 event, Bike to Work Safety Workshop	The Supply Chain Support Services Team promotes and encourages sustainable travel practices to reduce GHG emissions via messaging and events. For example, we hosted a Bike to Work Event, one less car challenge and developed guides on how to conduct E-Meetings and green meetings. The outcome of these initiatives results in employees maximizing existing technologies while minimizing unnecessary travel which contributes to reduced GHG emissions. UN SDG target 13.3 climate action : Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

FSDS target	Additional departmental activities and initiatives	Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s)	Results achieved	Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal
Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target]	Dispose of waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.	Performance indicator: Number of lots of disposed and/or recycled products annually	The following waste was disposed of or recycled through various programs: Furniture: 1,079 units Workstations: 88 units Executive Office Suites: 26 units Office Supplies: 8 pallets / 5,982 lbs IT equipment: 5,977 units / 62,834 lbs Vehicles: 3 Machinery: 11 Toner: 11 pallets / 4,767 lbs Scrap: 14,507 lbs IRCC Passport Program Shredding Services in 41 locations across Canada: Recycled volume – 514,950 lbs Trees Saved – 4,401 Oil Saved – 97,841 gallons Energy Saved – 1,029,900 Kilowatts Landfill Space Saved – 772 Cubic yards Water Saved – 1,802,325 gallons For National Headquarters only: Writing instruments: 14 boxes (approximately 46 lbs) Batteries: server batteries: 1 pallet (approximately 1,780 lbs) other small batteries: 23 boxes (approximately 726 lbs)	This action contributes directly to the goal of low-carbon Government by promoting, encouraging and ensuring the proper reuse, recycling and disposal of assets, instruments and paper in a safe, secure and environmental manner. All assets are sold on GCSurplus while obtaining highest sale value for the Crown and in compliance with Treasury Board Directive on Disposal of Surplus Material. UN SDG target 12.5 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
	Reduce printing devices to achieve a target of 8 employees to 1 printing device.	Starting point: Ratio of employees to printing devices in FY 2015–16 (base year) = 3.86 employees to 1 printing device (3.86:1) Target: 8 employees per printing device Performance indicator: Ratio of employees per printing device in FY 2019–20	Ratio of employees per printing device in FY 2019–20 = 11.65 employees per printing unit (11.65:1)	A reduction plan was developed in order to increase the printing device ratio to one employee via the printing services modernization project. The end result increased the ration to 11.65 employees to 1 printing device and resulted in reduced GHG emissions. UN SDG target 12 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government [This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target]	Meet or exceed paper consumption reduction by 20%.	Starting point: Number of sheets per employee in FY 2010–11 (base year) = 5,996 sheets per employee Target: 20% reduction Performance indicator: Percentage (%) change in paper consumption from FY 2010–11 to FY 2019–20	Number of sheets per employee in fiscal year 2019-20= 1,197 sheets per employee Percentage (%) change in paper consumption from fiscal year 2010-2011 to fiscal year 2019-20 = 80% decrease from baseline	IRCC promotes Green practices and sustainable Workplace Operations via messaging and programs which encourages employees to reduce their paper consumption leading to lower GHG emissions. UN SDG target 12 ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
	Continue to optimize population density in office buildings.	Performance indicator: Maximize IRCC space utilization, and meet the GOC target of 14.5m² per FTE (usable space/total FTEs) by 2020.	The Department continues to implement the Government of Canada’s Workplace Standards where business lines permit. This implementation and move to new standards contributes to the reduction and/or need for paper. The department continues to find efficiencies within its current space envelope by repurposing space, optimizing fit-ups and supporting and adopting creative workplace solutions (e.g. transitioning branches to ABW and or GC workplace design and concepts, enabling a mobile workforce). Out of 54 IRCC occupied floors within the National Capital; 22% meet either ABW or GC workplace standards, while 49% meet the WP 2.0 standard. Regional offices are incrementally moving towards new office configurations leveraged via lease renewal projects (e.g small space in Scarborough office (325 Milner) was retrofitted to ABW/unassigned seating model). Additionally, certain operations in the NCA and within Regions have adopted shift work and desk sharing practices to meet growing departmental demands reducing the need to acquire additional space. Programs have also taken steps to redistribute workload across regional offices in order to reduced physical footprint within the NCA. IRCC continues to maximize its space utilization, and is currently at 13.82m² per FTE which sits below the GOC target of 14.5m². Modernizing of space to new GC workplace Standards enables better utilization and flexibility, and reduces the overall footprint of the department.	Accommodations is maximizing IRCC space utilization in order to meet GOC Workplace Standards of 14.5m². This is achieved by finding space efficiencies and optimizing fit-ups by using high density standards such as Workplace 2.0 and Agility based workspace which reduces IRCC’s overall environmental footprint. UN SDG target : Not applicable

4. Report on integrating sustainable development

IRCC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.

During the 2019–20 reporting cycle, IRCC considered the environmental effects of 8 proposals subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes.

Public statements on the results of IRCC’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see Department’s website). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision-making. None of the 8 departmental proposals were found to have significant positive or negative environmental effects towards achieving the 2016–19 FSDS goals and targets. As such, IRCC did not publish a public statement during this period.

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Date modified:: 2024-10-02

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