Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada's effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process through the activities in this supplementary information table.

Although SSHRC is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a departmental sustainable development strategy, SSHRC adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by implementing the Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management

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.

Scope and Context

SSHRC’s approach to implementing green procurement is to focus on the use of procurement instruments from Public Works and Government Services Canada and the delivery of training to key personnel.

Performance Measurement

Expected result
Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services.

Performance indicators	Targeted performance levels
Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014	Completed August 2015
Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (215) or equivalent, in the fiscal year 2016-17	Planned number: 5 Planned percentage: 100%
Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2016-17	Planned number: 3 Planned percentage: 100%

Departmental green procurement target
Business travel/accommodation

By March 31, 2017, 30% of accommodation stays will take place in establishments that have a high environmental rating (three green environmental keys or higher) based on an industry-recognized tool.

Performance indicators	Targeted performance levels
Dollar value or number of accommodation stays that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or number of all accommodation stays in the year in question Annual amount spent on accommodation	By March 31 2017: 50%

Departmental green procurement target
Imaging, hardware and consumables/toner cartridges
By March 31, 2017, 90% of toner cartridges are recycled at end of life.

Performance indicators	Targeted performance levels
Volume of toner cartridges recycled relative to the total volume of all toner cartridges purchased in the year in question Annual amount spent on toner cartridges	By March 31, 2017: 90%

Departmental green procurement target
Paper
By March 31, 2017, 95% of copy paper, commercial printing and/or 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.

Performance indicators	Targeted performance levels
Volume of annual amount spent on copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelopes that contain a minimum of 30% recycled content relative to the total amount spent on paper in the year in question	By March 31, 2017: 95%

 

Implementation strategy elements or best practices	Targeted performance levels
7.2.1.1. Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”
7.2.1.5. Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”
Best Practice 7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”
Best Practice 7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Target 7.3: Sustainable Workplace Operations

As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.

Performance Measurement

Expected result
Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.

Performance indicators	Targeted performance levels
7.3.1.2. Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”
7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings).	Seeking to reach “Achieved”
7.3.1.7. Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner: Review relevant policies and current practices, such as materiel and asset management and procurement.	Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Strategic Environmental Assessment

SSHRC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An 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 SSHRC’s detailed assessment will be made public when an initiative is announced. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that during proposal development and decision-making of the approved policy, plan or program, SSHRC considered the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving FSDS goals and targets.