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2019–20 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

Although Shared Services Canada (SSC) is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, SSC adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by implementing 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, SSC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision making process through the actions described in the “FSDS goal: low-carbon government” table in section 2.

2. Commitments for Shared Services Canada

FSDS target FSDS contributing action Corresponding departmental action(s) Support for UN Sustainable Development Goal target Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions Link to the department’s Program Inventory
Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025.

Under the Greening Government Strategy, the Government of Canada will aid the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement and the adoption of clean technologies and green products and services. This will include:

  • integrating sustainability and life-cycle assessment principles in procurement policies and practices, including the government’s supply chain;
  • working with major suppliers to encourage the disclosure of their GHG emissions and environmental performance information;
  • supporting departments in adopting clean technology and clean technology demonstration projects; and
  • increasing training and support on green procurement to public service employees.

Under the Policy on Green Procurement, the Government of Canada will advance the protection of the environment and support sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process. The Policy on Green Procurement identifies specific responsibilities for Shared Services Canada, including:

  • supporting the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in implementing this policy government-wide This will include: scientific, technical and environmental policy expertise; advice on environmental aspects and impacts, and environmental standards; setting environmental performance measures; and information on performance data and availability of environmental goods and services; and including environmentally preferable options in the procurement services offered to client departments, where feasible.

SSC will integrate environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process for the replacement of aging infrastructure.

SSC will commit to using clean electricity in its enterprise data centres.

SSC will disclose GHG emissions from enterprise data centres.

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impacts

Starting point (baseline): Not Available

Target: TBD*.

Performance indicator: Percentage of electricity used in Enterprise Data Centres classified as clean.

* Consultations with Data Centre Services Branch to establish a target are ongoing.

 Data Centre Facility
SSC will contribute to Innovative Solutions Canada by sponsoring the development and adoption of technological innovation for a greener government. Sustainable Development Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

Starting point (baseline): Not Available

Target: Develop and launch one Innovative Solutions Canada Challenge in FY 2019-20.

Performance indicator: Number of Innovative Solutions Canada Challenges funded by SSC focused on the development of innovative green technologies.

Chief Technology Officer Branch

Internal Services
SSC will promote Canada School of Public Service course C215 – Green Procurement, primarily to functional specialists in procurement and/or materiel management. Sustainable Development Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

Starting point (baseline): Not Available

Target: TBD*

Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent.

* Consultations with the Procurement Policy, Governance, Engagement and Training Directorate to establish a target are ongoing.

 Internal Services

3. Integrating Sustainable Development

Shared Services Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. A 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.

Public statements on the results of Shared Services Canada’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA 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 considered during proposal development and decision-making.

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