Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
2020 to 2023 Short-form Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
| Name of department | Privy Council Office (PCO) |
|---|---|
| Date | April 2021 |
| Context | Although PCO is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, PCO adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with the Policy on Green Procurement. The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, PCO supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision‑making process through the actions described in the 2019 to 2022 FSDS “Greening Government” goal. |
| Commitments | PCO’s most important contribution to sustainable development lies in the development of advice and polices that contribute to the achievement of government-wide sustainable development strategies. In addition, PCO sets an example for other federal organizations through a commitment to sustainable development in its operations. (Source: 2019-20 DSDS) |
| Integrating sustainable development | PCO 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 policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on FSDS goals and targets. The results of PCO’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA is announced on its web page. 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. (Source: 2019-20 DSDS) |
FSDS Goal: Greening Government
| FSDS target | FSDS contributing actions | Corresponding departmental actions | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target. | Starting points Performance indicators Targets |
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050. |
Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and operations | PCO occupies office space in both Crown owned and leased assets. PCO endeavours to ensure the space employs technologies and procedures to maximize energy efficiency. | PCO actively works with Public Services and Procurement Canada to promote and support ongoing greening of building operations leading to a reduction in GHG emissions. This action supports UN SDG target 12.7. |
GHG emissions are reported by Public Services and Procurement Canada. | Internal Services |
| Modernizing the fleet | Reduce carbon intensity by replacing executive vehicles at the end of their life-cycle with electric vehicles, hybrids, or more fuel efficient vehicles. Promote behavior change – e.g. anti-idling campaigns, driver training. Promoting fleet infrastructure - e.g. charging stations. |
PCO will replace executive vehicles with new electric, hybrid or more fuel efficient vehicles that will contribute to GHG reductions. This action supports UN SDG target 12.7. |
As part of life cycle management, PCO executive vehicles will be replaced with efficient options when they reach the end of their life-cycle. PCO has two (2) charging stations for electric vehicles. |
Internal Services | |
| Support the transition to a low‑carbon economy through green procurement | Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management purchasing decisions, processes and controls. Ensure decisions-makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations. |
PCO will continue to reduce GHG emissions by incorporating environmental considerations into its purchasing decisions. These actions support UN SDG target 12.7 and 12.8. |
Environmentally responsible practices are used in contracting for services, from procurement to pay processes. PCO’s Director of Administration and the Manager of Procurement continue to have performance objectives supporting green procurement activities. Departmental functional specialists in procurement and material management are up to date with the Green Procurement course. The Department continues to use common-use procurement instruments for IT hardware purchases (desktops, computers, laptops and tablets) through different SSC vehicles. The Department is committed in continuing to purchase copy paper, commercial printing, and/or envelopes containing a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production. |
Internal Services | |
| Promote sustainable travel practices | Promoting the use of the Department’s video conferencing, teleconference facilities. | PCO will take action to reduce travel or switch to less GHG intensive modes of transportation that will reduce GHG emissions. This action supports UN SDG target 12.8. |
Encourage the use of video conferencing to reduce unnecessary travel and in person meetings when possible. | Internal Services | |
| Promote sustainable workplace operations | Increase the waste diverted from landfill through the promotion and use of recycling centres and composting programs. Engage employees in greening government operations practices. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings). |
PCO will take action to promote recycling and improve on waste prevention across the organization. This action supports UN SDG target 12.5. |
Continuing to ensure recycling stations are available in all workspaces and common area as well communicate tips and facts to employees to promote sustainable workplace operations. Continue to promote the use and sharing of electronic documentation over printed copies throughout the department. |
Internal Services |
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