Reporting on Green Procurement

Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement

Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions

1. Centrally purchase copy paper and basic office supplies for the PSC’s headquarters, ensuring it contains recycled content and is certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production. This will also reduce the quantity of deliveries and subsequently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Complete a review of basic office supplies the PSC normally buys to identify non-essential items which are not certified to a recognized environmental standard.
3. Conduct an analysis of the PSC’s average paper consumption per employee over a 3 year period.

1. Performance indicator: Volume of purchased white bond copy paper that meets the target objective relative to the total volume of all copy paper centrally purchased in the year.

Starting point: 90% in 2019–20
Target: At least 90% by March 31, 2022

2.1 Performance indicator: Volume of purchased basic office supplies that is considered certified to a recognized environmental standard and that meets the target objective relative to the total volume of all basic office supplies centrally purchased in the year.

Starting point: 50% in 2019–20
Target: 50% by March 31, 2022

2.2 Performance indicator: The identification of non-essential basic office supplies that are not certified to a recognized environmental standard and which the PSC will no longer buy.

Target: N/A         

3. Performance indicator: Declining year-over-year average paper consumption per employee.

Starting point: Average yearly impression by FTE for 2019–20 (3 500 sheets*)
*Based on 857 FTE
Target: A yearly consumption of less than 2 500 sheets of paper by FTE, by March 31, 2022

1. 100% of white bond copy paper centrally purchased for headquarters contained a minimum of 30% recycled content and was certified to a recognized environmental standard.

2.1 40% of office supplies centrally purchased at headquarters included criteria to reduce the environmental impact of the supplies.

2.2 The PSC has identified certain essential basic office supplies (ex: pens, notebooks, etc.) which are not certified to a recognized environmental standard and which the PSC will discontinue purchase.

While aiming to achieve paperless environments where possible, the PSC has diminished its printing footprint by reducing its fleet of multi-function printers by 50%.

3. The PSC’s average paper consumption per employee is approximately 269* impressions, based on 826 indeterminate employees. This is a slight increase compared to 255 in 2019-2020.

*This number takes into consideration all impressions done at the PSC (tests, impressions done by students, contracted employees, and consultants). Most employees were in telework during 2020–21 fiscal year.

With virtual work, employees are using more electronic documents and applications instead of paper.

FSDS: Green procurement incorporates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions. Procurement agents who are trained to apply such criteria can award 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:
SDG 12 – Target 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

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

4. The PSC will ensure that material management and procurement specialists have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.

4.1 Performance indicator: Percentage of designated specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement at fiscal year-end (March 31).

Starting point: 100% in 2019–20
Target: 100% by March 31, 2022

4.2 Performance indicator: Usage of environmental considerations clauses in all contractual documents.

Starting point: 100% in 2019–20
Target: 100% by March 31, 2022

4.1 100% of specialists in procurement and/or material management completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course or equivalent.

4.2 Where feasible, 100% of environmental considerations clauses were used in contractual documents.