Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development
The 2013–16 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents 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, Veterans Affairs Canada supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities described in this supplementary information table.
Our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) actions in support of Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government. The report for 2016–17 presents a high-level overview of results and is the final report under the 2013–16 FSDS. Last year’s report is available on the departmental website.
Departmental performance highlights
Theme IV: Targets and Implementation Strategies
Under Theme IV, Veterans Affairs Canada contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through various implementation strategies for Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy and Goal 7: Waste and asset management.
Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy
- FSDS goal:
- Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations
- FSDS target:
- Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction
The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020
| FSDS performance indicator | FSDS performance results |
|---|---|
| Departmental GHG emission reductions from building and fleets relative to fiscal year 2005–06, expressed as a percentage | N/A |
Implementation strategies: performance summary
Veterans Affairs Canada was in the process of divesting itself of its only property and it was completed on April 1, 2016. Therefore it was not practical or feasible for the department to develop a strategic framework and implement this target.Goal 7: Waste and asset management
- FSDS goal:
- Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.
- FSDS target:
- Target 7.2: green procurement
As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.
| FSDS performance indicator | FSDS performance results |
|---|---|
| Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in the given fiscal year. | Achieved March 31, 2015 |
| Number and percentage of specialists in procurement and/or material management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Procurement course or equivalent, in the given fiscal year. | 10 100% |
| Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place (as of April 1, 2014). | 3 100% |
Implementation strategies: performance summary
No changes since last year.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
During the 2016–17 reporting cycle, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. As VAC did not develop any initiatives that required a Strategic Environmental Assessment, no related public statements were produced.