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Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Low-Carbon Government: The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

Responsible Minister: All Ministers

FSDS target(s): Reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025.

FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Support for UN Sustainable Development Goal target Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions Results achieved
Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations. Effective space utilization
  1. Apply Workplace 2.0 fit-up standards of 14m2/FTE in departmental facilities as leases expire.
  2. Explore / implement activity based workspace approaches, as opportunities arise.
 9.4 Density of use – the number of m2/FTE. Average for 2016–17 is 17m2/FTE.

Working on several strategies to implement a GCWorkplace environment, and will continue to do so as leases expire at VAC office locations across the country.

Average for 2018–19 is 17m2/FTE.
Modernize our fleet. Optimize vehicle fleet size and that the vehicle be the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class and / or is an alternative fuel vehicle. 12.7 Percentage of vehicle purchases in any given year will meet the target. Current = 100%

VAC purchased two vehicles in FY 2018–19:

  1. Mitsubishi Outlander OHEV (Hybrid).
  2. Toyota RAV 4 (Hybrid)

Previous vehicles were not hybrid.
Promote sustainable travel practices. By March 31, 2021, reduce GHG emissions from business travel by 25% of 2008-09 levels.

7.1 or 7.A

 Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq). The 2008–09 baseline level is 2,118 CO2e.Footnote1

During 2018–19, VAC's emissions associated with business was 2,178 CO2e tonnes.Footnote2

The increase in CO2e was due to an increase in front line (Area Office) staff FTE’s as travel for training was required to central location from across the country.

Low-Carbon Government: The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

Responsible Minister: All Ministers

FSDS target(s): Reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025.

FSDS Contributing Action(s): Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement.

Corresponding departmental action(s) Support for UN Sustainable Development Goal target Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions Results achieved
Integrate environmental considerations into 100% of procurement management processes and control. 12.7 Number of departmental procurement processes and controls that incorporate environmental considerations relative to the total number of departmental procurement processes and controls.

100% of procurement and contracting activities at VAC incorporate environmental considerations as per the GoC Policy on Green Procurement. This includes procurement planning, requirement identification and definition, acquisition, use, maintenance and disposal of assets.

Result for 2018–19 is 100%
Incorporate environmental considerations into the development of 100% of any common-use procurement instruments. 12.7 Percentage of common-use procurement instruments developed that incorporate environmental considerations.

VAC uses tools set up by PSPC which incorporate environmental considerations.
Ensure 100% of decision makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. 12.7 Percentage of specialists in procurement and material management who have completed training on green procurement in 2016–17 = 100%; 2017–18 = 100% Result for 2018–19 is 100%
Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations. 12.7 Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution towards green procurement. 2016–17 standard = 2 staff (100%); 2017–18 = 100% Result for 2018–19 is 100%
Set departmental targets to reduce the environmental impact of specific goods or services. 12.7    
  • Copy paper, commercial printing, and envelope purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.
 12.7 Percentage of copy paper, commercial printing and envelope purchases that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or volume of all copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelope purchases. 2016–17 rate = 95%; 2017–18 = 95% The 95% rate remained the same for the 2018–19 period
Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices. 12.7    
  • Printer ratio = 1 printer for 8 FTEs
 12.7 Printers per FTE – current ratio is 1 printer per 8 FTEs The 1:8 ratio remained the same for the 2018–19 period.
  • 10% reduction in paper usage per FTE
 12.7 Paper usage per FTE – current use is approx. 7500 sheets per FTE For 2018–19 year we achieved the result of 10% reduction from the 2011–12 baseline year.
  • Senior Management approval of the green meetings awareness guide and distribution to all management teams.
 12.7 On track to achieve this goal by March 31, 2018.

Delayed due to operational priorities.

A dedicated resource is being identified to create a presentation for senior management review and approval. Guide to be adopted by end of fiscal, March 31, 2020.
  • Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.
 12.7 Departmental locations with electronic and electrical equipment disposal plan implemented. The percentage of disposal plans in departmental locations is 100% for the 2018–19 period.
  • Additionally, VAC Head Office locations in Charlottetown participate in a battery recycling program.
 12.7 Weight (lbs) of batteries collected per year. 2017–18 = 269.4kgs The total weight of batteries collected and recycled from Head Office was 403.2kgs.
  • Train 100% of acquisition cardholders on green procurement as a best practice.
 12.7 Percentage of acquisition cardholders with green procurement training. Delayed due to operational priorities. Will collaborate with Finance Division to achieve our goal of 100% by implementing a new process by March 31, 2020.
  • Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers as a best practice. Target is 100% of managers trained by 2020.
 12.7 Percentage of managers with purchasing ability who have had Policy on Green Procurement awareness training. Currently collaborating with Procurement and HR to identify a means to track this information and accurately report our results based on our target for 2020.

Low-Carbon Government: The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

Responsible Minister: All Ministers

FSDS target(s): Reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025.

FSDS Contributing Action(s): Understand climate change impacts and build resilience.

Corresponding departmental action(s) Support for UN Sustainable Development Goal target Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions Results achieved
Identify the range of climate change impacts and adaptation measures that could potentially affect departmental assets, programs, and services across the country. 13.2    
  • Develop and begin to implement a departmental climate adaptation plan.
 13.2 Participate in an intradepartmental working group to develop a climate adaptation plan, as part of Business Continuity Planning by March 31, 2018. The Business Continuity Coordinator at VAC participates in interdepartmental working groups where climate change is discussed. BCP's currently take into account natural disasters (eg. flooding). We are taking action to understand the potential impacts of climate change as part of VAC’s risk management considerations.
Integrate consideration of climate change impacts and adaptation into departmental planning, policy, programs, and operations. 13.2    
  • Review and revise departmental strategic environmental assessment tools to ensure that climate change impacts and adaptation are fully considered in the development of policy, plan and program proposals.
 13.2 Development and Implement Strategic Environmental Assessment policy and process by March 31, 2018. Completed.
Ensure service disruptions are avoided by incorporating climate change considerations and adaptation measures into corporate risk and business continuity planning. 13.2    
  • Review and revise the departmental corporate risk and business continuity plans to integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
 13.2 Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation by March 31, 2018. Business Continuity Plan documentation currently considers climate change, and is being revised to include climate adaptation plan by 2020.
Climate change impacts and adaptation inform investment planning. 13.2    
  • Review and revise the departmental investment plan to integrate consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
 13.2 Investment plan incorporates consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures as part of the 2018–2023 Investment Plan. VAC's current Investment Plan (IP) does not include this information. The next iteration will be the 2021-2026 IP and will incorporate consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
  • Key officials incorporate the Federal Adaptation Policy Framework in their performance evaluations.
 13.2 Climate change adaptation is addressed in the 2018–19 performance management agreements for executives Due to operational priorities, this goal has not been met. Currently working to discuss the commitment at an upcoming EX Council meeting to include this commitment in the 2020–21 performance agreements.
 
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