Reporting on Green Procurement

PCO’s actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement

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.

GHG emissions are reported by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

PCO continues to work with PSPC to implement any recommendations to maximize energy efficiency.

PCO actively works with PSPC to promote and support ongoing greening of building operations leading to a reduction in GHG emissions.

This action supports UN SDG target 12.7

Modernize 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 behaviour change – e.g. anti-idling campaigns, driver training.

Promote fleet infrastructure - e.g. charging stations.

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.

As part of the greening government strategy, all new executive vehicles purchased are either zero-emission or hybrid vehicles.

Drivers are reminded to exercise sound behaviours to help reduce environmental impacts to the greatest extent possible.

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

Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement

Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management purchasing decisions, processes and controls.

Ensure decision-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.

Environmentally responsible practices are used in contracting for services, from procurement to pay processes.

PCO’s Executive Director, Logistics and Special Services, the Director of Accommodations and Administration, and the Senior Contracting Advisor will have performance objectives supporting green procurement activities.

Departmental functional specialists in procurement and material management will complete the Green Procurement course.

The Department will use common-use procurement instruments for IT hardware purchases (desktops, computers, laptops and tablets).

The Department will purchase copy paper, commercial printing, and/or envelopes containing a minimum of 30% recycled content and certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.

Environmentally responsible practices are exercised that includes electronic documents as the default process for solicitation and bidding, and to the greatest extent possible, supplier payments are delivered via direct deposit.

PCO’s Executive Director, Logistics and Special Services, the Director of Accommodations and Administration, and the Senior Contracting Advisor have performance objectives related to green procurement activities.

All department functional specialists in procurement and material management have completed the green procurement course.

Common-use procurement instruments were utilized to the greatest extent possible and the following results were achieved: 78%^* of IT hardware purchases were from green procurement instruments and 80% of all audio visual equipment was from green procurement instruments; 100% of copy paper, commercial printing and envelopes containing a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.

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

Promote sustainable travel practices

Promote the use of the Department’s video conferencing, teleconference facilities.

Ensure travel policies and guidance promote sustainable travel practices.

PCO continued to promote the uses of videoconferencing services, such as Microsoft Teams to enable employees to connect virtually and minimize travel as appropriate.

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

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).

Ensure recycling stations are available in all work spaces and communicate tips and facts to employees to promote sustainable workplace operations.

Recycling stations are available throughout the workplace.   

PCO has further adopted electronic filing and signatures, which has greatly reduced the need for printing and paper waste.

PCO will take action to promote recycling and improve on waste prevention across the organization.

This action supports UN SDG target 12.5

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees

Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management purchasing decisions, processes and controls.

Ensure decision-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.

Environmentally responsible practices are used in contracting for services, from procurement to pay processes.

PCO’s Executive Director, Logistics and Special Services, the Director of Accommodations and Administration, and the Senior Contracting Advisor will have performance objectives supporting green procurement activities.

Departmental functional specialists in procurement and material management will complete the Green Procurement course.

Procurement officers continued to advise on green procurement processes and strategies as applicable.

PCO’s Executive Director, Logistics and Special Services, the Director of Accommodations and Administration, and the Senior Contracting Advisor have performance objectives related to green procurement activities.

All department functional specialists in procurement and material management have completed the green procurement course.

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