Section B - Evaluating our progress

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The Corporate Affairs Branch conducted an internal review of our 1997 SD strategy. This was done in response to a recommendation from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, which encouraged departments and agencies to involve senior management in assessing their first SD strategies. The findings were to be used to improve the development of new departmental SD strategies.

In February 2000, the formal review of the SD strategy for 1997-2000 began, with the aim of assessing how appropriately and effectively it was implemented. The main findings were that some targets were not specific, measurable, and time-bound, which made it difficult to determine whether or not they had been met. The strategy was also considered to be an ambitious plan that relied on a high level of SD awareness, understanding, commitment, and resources to realize the intended impact. The key recommendations were that changes be made to our operating environment to support the strategy. These included ensuring:

• SD is recognized as a value that is integrated into all aspects of the business planning and reporting processes;
• enough resources are provided for critical aspects such as SD training and awareness;
• a performance management system is developed; and
• SD is coordinated throughout the CCRA.

We sought to incorporate the recommendations of the management review into our new strategy. We committed to developing and implementing an environmental management system for our key operations. We developed an action plan that had clear and measurable targets, and which focused on areas where we can make the greatest impact. Priority has been given to awareness and learning through our planned efforts to prepare managers and engage employees to contribute to SD. The new strategy also encourages collaboration with other government departments in key areas such as climate change initiatives, common performance measures, and compliance issues.

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