2015-16 Report on Plans and Priorities

CRA Sustainable Development Strategy

Overview of the Federal Government's approach to sustainable development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013-2016 guides the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Canada Revenue Agency supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities in this supplementary information table.

This section presents the planned contributions and expected results for theme IV – Shrinking the environmental footprint – Beginning with government.

Theme IV: Targets and implementation strategies

Greenhouse gas emissions and energy

Greenhouse gas emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

CRA target: By 2020, the CRA will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its fleets by a minimum of 17% relative to 2005-2006 levels.

Performance measurement

Expected result: Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations.

Performance indicator Targeted performance level
Updated GHG reduction implementation plan in place by March 31, 2015  Yes—March 31, 2015
GHG emissions (CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005-2006  403 tonnes
GHG emissions (CO2 equivalent) in current fiscal year  334 tonnes
Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005-2006 to the current fiscal year  -17%

Waste and asset management

Green procurement

Target: As of April 1, 2014, the CRA will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Performance measurement

Expected result: Environmentally responsible acquisition, use, and disposal of goods and services.

Performance indicator Targeted performance level
An approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014  Yes—April 1, 2014
Number and percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course or equivalent in the given fiscal year  100% (number will be reported in DPR)
Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and material management whose performance evaluation includes green procurement, in the given fiscal year 100% (number will be reported in DPR)

Target: By March 31, 2017, 90% of vehicles purchased are right sized for operational needs and are the most fuel efficient vehicle in their class available at the time of purchase.

Performance indicator Targeted performance level
Number and percentage of vehicles purchased that meet the requirements, in the given fiscal year  90% (number will be reported in DPR)

Target: By 2021, the CRA will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from business related air travel by a minimum of 25% relative to 2008-2009 levels.

Performance indicator Targeted performance level
GHG emissions (CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2008-2009   11,572 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Emissions associated with business related air travel (CO2 equivalent) in the given fiscal year  8,679 tonnes CO2 equivalent
Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2008-2009 to the current fiscal year -25%
Implementation strategy element Targeted performance level
Improve sustainable business travel  Seeking to reach "Achieved"

Target: By March 31, 2017, 90% of copy paper, publications, and envelopes purchased will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content paper that is certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.

Performance indicator  Targeted performance level
Percentage of copy paper, publications, and envelopes purchased that meet the requirements in the given fiscal year  90%

Implementation strategy element   Targeted performance level
Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Sustainable workplace operations

Target: As of April 1, 2015, the CRA will continue to update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.

Performance measurement

Expected result: CRA workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.

Performance indicator Targeted performance level
An approach to improve the sustainability of CRA workplace operations in place by March 31, 2015  Yes—April 1, 2014
Implementation strategy element Targeted performance level
Engage employees in greening government operations practices  Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes, and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e., printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings) Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Minimize the ratio of information technology assets per employee Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage Seeking to reach "Achieved'
Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Minimize all non-hazardous solid waste generated and leverage service offerings to maximize the diversion of waste Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Increase the population density in office buildings and space utilization in special purpose buildings Seeking to reach "Achieved"
Greening services to clients

Target: By March 31, 2015, departments will establish SMART targets to reduce the environmental impact of their services to clients.

Performance measurement

Expected result: CRA services to clients, taxpayers, and benefit recipients have a reduced environmental impact.

Performance indicator  Targeted performance level

An approach to further greening of services to clients, taxpayers, and benefit recipients is in place by March 31, 2015 

Yes—April 1, 2014

The Canada Revenue Agency will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of the FSDS goals and targets through the 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 the FSDS goals and targets. The results of CRA's detailed assessment are made public when an initiative is announced. 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 appropriately considered during proposal development and decision making.

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