Reporting on Green Procurement

This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.

1. Context

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 (DSDS), SSC adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with 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 2019 to 2022 FSDS “Greening Government” goal.

2. Commitments

Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
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

Integrating sustainability and life-cycle assessment principles in procurement policies and practices, including the government’s supply chain.

SSC will adhere to the Policy on Green Procurement and integrate environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making processes.

Including environmentally preferable options in the procurement services offered to client departments, where feasible.

Performance indicator: All new standing offers and supply arrangements (SOSAs) for fiscal year 2020-21, other than the ones related to Professional Services, will include environmental criteria.

Starting point (baseline): 0

Target: 100% Footnote 1

Result: In 2020-21 100% (2/2) of new standing offers and supply arrangements (SOSAs), other than the ones related to Professional Services, included environmental criteria.

FSDS: Including environmental criteria in standing offers and supply arrangements reduces the environmental impact of SSC’s procurements.

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

SSC will contribute to Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) by sponsoring the development and adoption of technological innovation for a greener government.

Performance indicator: SSC will fund at least three (3) ISC Challenges focused on the development of innovative green technologies.

Starting point (baseline): 0

Target:Footnote 2

Result: In 2020-21, SSC funded one (1) ISC Challenge focused on the development of innovative green technologies – the Plastics E-Waste Challenge.

This challenge is specifically focused on developing a solution for the recycling of e-waste plastics and metals, that can be leveraged by the GC. Footnote 3

FSDS: By funding the development of an innovative solution for the recycling of e-waste plastics, SSC is helping lower the environmental footprint of government operations, supporting domestic action and innovation on plastics while also contributing to the success of clean-tech businesses in Canada.

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

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees SSC will promote Canada School of Public Service course C215 – Green Procurement, primarily to functional specialists in procurement and/or materiel management.

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

Starting point (baseline): 100%

(As of May 2019, 100% of 615 employees had completed the course)

Target: 95%

Result: In 2020-21 74% (127/172) of designated specialists in procurement and materiel management were trained in green procurement.Footnote 4

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 Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint. This is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce GHG emissions associated with their goods, services and supply chains.

Sustainable Development Goal 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns

3. Report on integrating sustainable development

SSC 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 a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.

During the 2020–21 reporting cycle, SSC had no proposals that required a SEA and no public statements were produced.

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