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Key Environmental Issues and Green Procurement

The objective of the Policy on Green Procurement is to advance the protection of the environment and support sustainable development. Below are descriptions of specific environmental issues and how green procurement can be used to lessen the environmental impact of federal procurement and thereby protect the environment. A description of how green procurement supports sustainable development is also provided.

  1. Key Environmental Issues
    1. Greenhouse gases and climate change
    2. Resource efficiency
    3. Ozone: the ozone layer and ozone depleting substances
    4. Solid waste and the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
    5. Hazardous waste
    6. Renewable energy sources and fossil fuels
  2. Sustainable development

Key Environmental Issues

1. Greenhouse gases and climate change

Greenhouse gases (GhGs) include any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the 'greenhouse effect'. The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat within the earth's atmosphere by these gases, which include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). Emissions of these gases and accumulation in the atmosphere are accelerated by human activities, and manmade chemicals, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in aerosols, refrigeration and air conditioning, rigid foam, fire extinguishers, and cleaning solvents which act as greenhouse gases when released through the use of consumer and industrial goods. As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they contribute to climate change.

An analysis of temperature records shows that the Earth has warmed an average of 0.5°C over the past 100 years. Major concerns associated with this climate change include increased frequency of severe weather events (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, drought, etc.), shifting/loss of species habitat, and disruption to critical human activities such as farming. The reduction in emissions of these gases is therefore being targeted to reduce ongoing climate change.

How can green procurement help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Consider reducing energy and fossil fuel consumption, specifying energy and fuel efficient models, identifying replacement sources of energy that are renewable and specifying alternate goods with lower fossil fuel consumption. Some examples include:

  • A vehicle that has better fuel efficiency burns less fuel per kilometre driven and therefore emits less GhGs than comparable vehicles;
  • The less electricity an appliance uses, the lower the demand on power-generating stations, which generate GhGs when they burn fossil fuels to produce electricity;
  • The better insulated a building is, the less heat is lost to the exterior and therefore less fuel is burned to maintain comfortable temperatures. As a result, the building will cause lower emissions of GhGs than one that is poorly insulated.

Other Resources

2. Resource efficiency

Resources include raw materials such as timber, minerals and metals, water and energy sources. Resource efficiency means using these materials in the most productive and economical way possible, keeping quantities consumed and waste to a minimum. Ideally an item should be resource-efficient throughout its life – from design and manufacture through to use and disposal. The amount of resources consumed by a good during its life is an important issue because this impacts the burden of human activity on the environment.

Resource efficiency is an environmental priority because resources are dwindling, while world population continues to grow and place more demands on those same resources. According to the World Water Council, "while the world's population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50%. This population growth – coupled with industrialization and urbanization – will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment."

The need to reduce resource consumption is clear.

How can green procurement support resource efficiency?

When assessing resource efficiency, consider elements such as:

  • Energy consumption during delivery;
  • Use/maintenance and disposal;
  • Features that reduce energy, fuel or water use;
  • Capacity of good (e.g. is it larger than necessary to meet the need?);
  • Service life of good (e.g. is it a single use product? Can it be economically repaired or upgraded?);
  • Waste generation during use; and
  • Quantity and reusability of packaging.

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3. Ozone layer and ozone depleting substances

All life on Earth is protected by the ozone layer. This layer of gas acts as an invisible filter that protects all life forms from over-exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most incoming UV radiation is absorbed by ozone and prevented from reaching the Earth's surface. Without the protective effect of ozone, life on Earth would not have evolved the way it has.

Ozone depletion is the term commonly used to describe the thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of ozone in the stratosphere is tipped in favour of destruction. Human activity is the major factor in tipping that natural balance, mostly from releasing artificial chemicals, known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), to the atmosphere.

Under the Montreal Protocol, 95% of the production and consumption of all ozone-depleting substances have been phased-out.

How can green procurement help to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances?

Refer to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations for more on which substances are considered ozone depleting. The United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also maintains a list of ozone-depleting substances.

Goods that do not contain these substances should be considered preferable to those that do. Consider reducing consumption of goods containing ODSs and services that use goods containing ODSs. Consider also specifying goods and services with low levels of ODSs. Consult certification program criteria, product database information, and/or information from the supplier to identify alternatives and/or acceptable levels.

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4. Solid waste and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

Reducing the amount of solid waste we produce is by far the most effective way to reduce the flow of garbage into landfill. To be really effective, we have to incorporate the Managing and Reducing Waste – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – into our daily routine. This means reducing and reusing materials and packaging wherever possible. Materials and packaging that cannot be reused should be recycled. Purchasers can help close the loop on recycling by purchasing recycled and recyclable goods. This leads to solid waste reduction.

Waste diversion is a practice that reduces the flow of solid waste to landfill. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities Hyperlinking Notice describes the following waste diversion actions:

  • Reuse: using the material in its same form. This activity is generally internal to the business or the residence that is the source of the solid waste;
  • Recycling: recycling typically refers to the recovery of dry materials, paper, plastics, glass and metals from the waste stream for reprocessing and incorporating into new uses.

How can green procurement help to reduce solid waste?

By applying the 3Rs principle, green procurement can result in reduction of material consumed, reuse of old material and recycling of spent materials. All of these actions divert solid waste away from the landfill. At the same time, significant energy savings can be realized by reprocessing waste materials instead of extracting virgin raw materials.

There may be opportunities to work co-operatively with the supplier community to reduce the government's environmental impacts. Continuous improvement should be sought, particularly with long-term suppliers. Opportunities to reduce could include, for example, encouraging suppliers to:

  • use electronic communication wherever possible;
  • specify that, where deliverables are reports, that they be printed or copied in double-sided format or sent electronically;
  • reduce packaging by increasing bulk deliveries and reducing delivery frequency; and
  • extend the life of assets by designing assets for durability and ease of maintenance and/or offering extended warranties.

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5. Hazardous materials and waste

Hazardous materials are considered dangerous to living organisms and the environment. They may be, for example, known cancer-causing agents, poisonous, toxic, highly flammable, or explosive. Hazardous materials can be used for many purposes and within many goods, including cleaners, solvents, flame retardants in furniture and carpeting, lighting, electronic equipment – the list goes on. Improper handling, use or disposal can lead to human or environmental exposure with associated health consequences. Off-gassing from furnishings can diminish indoor air quality. Improperly disposed electronic equipment can result in the leaching of heavy metals into groundwater. Spills of stored hazardous chemicals can expose workers, contaminate soil and affect groundwater quality.

The Hazardous Products Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act regulate the labelling of consumer products, for use in both industrial settings and by consumer households. Consumer products that can pose a safety risk are marked as being flammable, corrosive, poisonous and/or explosive, etc..

How can green procurement help to reduce hazardous material usage?

Good and service specifications should be checked for hazardous material content. Replacement options that contain no hazardous materials should be considered. If non-hazardous options are not feasible, compare available options to identify those with the lowest hazardous material content. Ensure that appropriate use and disposal arrangements exist, to ensure that the good can be safely used and discarded.

Other Resources

6. Renewable energy sources and fossil fuels

Renewable energy sources are increasingly being pursued as alternatives because they don't rely on fossil fuels and they produce very low amounts of pollutants and CO2. Fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, and coal have traditionally provided power to meet the world's energy needs for heat, cooling, lighting, and powering of industrial processes. Fossil fuel is burned and the resulting heat is used to generate steam that spins turbines, which generate power. This process also releases air pollutants (sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, mercury) and carbon dioxide (CO2), which contribute to haze, smog, acid rain, mercury accumulation in fish, and climate change.

Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural resources that can be naturally replenished or renewed within a human lifespan, that is, the resource is a sustainable source of energy. Some natural resources, such as moving water, wind and sunshine, are not at risk of depletion from their use for energy production. Renewable energy sources include:

  • Bioenergy – Bioenergy comprises different forms of usable energy obtained from materials referred to as biomass. A biomass is a biological material in solid, liquid or gaseous form that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Wood and wood waste can be combusted to produce heat used for industrial purposes, for space and water heating, or to produce steam for electricity generation.
  • Wind power – The kinetic energy in wind can be converted into useful forms of energy such as mechanical energy or electricity. Today, wind is used increasingly to generate electricity: turbines with large propellers are erected on ‘wind farms’ located in strategic areas that have good wind regimes and that are in proximity to existing electrical grids.
  • Solar energy – Solar energy is energy from the sun in the form of radiated heat and light. The sun's radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. Today, two solar technologies are common: 1) solar thermal; 2) solar photovoltaic technology.
  • Geothermal energy Hyperlinking Notice – Geothermal energy can be captured from the heat stored beneath the earth's surface or from the absorbed heat in the atmosphere and oceans. In the first instance, geothermal energy can be captured from naturally occurring underground steam and be used to produce electricity. In the second instance, heating and cooling can be achieved by taking advantage of the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater.
  • Marine energy – The ocean is a vast source of energy that can be harnessed to produce different forms of usable energy. For instance, technologies have been developed to convert the energy of ocean waves and tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. However, a number of technical, economic and environmental barriers remain, and, as a result, marine energy is currently not a widely exploited energy source.
  • Hydroelectric power generation produces electricity from the energy in falling or fast-flowing water. Hydroelectric power is one of the more common forms of renewable energy, however, consideration should be given to the loss of land and disruption of local ecosystems involved when evaluating the environmental impacts of its use, particularly when evaluating large-scale projects that involve dams.

All of these renewable technologies can generate considerably less pollution than conventional technologies that rely solely on the burning of fossil fuels.

How can green procurement help to support the use and development of renewable energy?

Green procurement can support the development and growth of renewable energy technologies by considering the purchase of power from renewable energy sources, integrating renewable energy technologies, such as geothermal, into new building construction, and considering suppliers that use renewable energy in their production processes or when delivering services.

Other Resources

Sustainable Development

Environment Canada: Federal Sustainable Development is about meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. It is about improving standard of living by protecting human health, conserving the environment, using resources efficiently and advancing long-term economic competitiveness. It requires the integration of environmental, economic and social priorities into policies and programs and requires action at all levels - citizens, industry, and governments.

The Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on June 26, 2008 in response to a number of international environmental commitments Canada has made. The purpose of the Act is "to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament." The first Federal Sustainable Development Strategy was tabled in Parliament on October 6, 2010. It requires 27 Federal departments and agencies to report on specific targets, including green procurement, in departmental Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports.

Other Resources

How can green procurement help to support sustainable development?

The principles of green procurement are consistent with the objectives of sustainable development. Selecting environmentally preferable goods supports the efficient and environmentally responsible use of resources, a key pillar of sustainable development.

Date Modified: Friday, 02-Dec-2011 08:27:56 EST

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