Public Services and Procurement Canada
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy: 2020 to 2023 (updated January 2023)
On this page
Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's (GC) sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the 2008 Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the act to integrate environmental, social and economic considerations into decision-making, and to make such decisions more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) supports reaching the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
Section 2: Sustainable development vision and context in Public Services and Procurement Canada
PSPC plays a vital role in the daily operations of the GC, enabling and supporting the successful execution of programs, objectives and activities across federal departments and agencies. With an annual budget of over $4 billion and more than 16,000 employees across the country, PSPC provides federal organizations with expertise in a wide variety of fields, from procurement to translation, from accounting to banking, and from engineering to sustainable development expertise. Together, PSPC employees serve a multitude of roles, including the largest pension and payroll administrator in Canada, the GC's central purchaser, the largest translation organization in Canada, and the largest federal owner and manager of office space in Canada.
PSPC is committed to continually improving its operations. Over the last few years, as part of transformation efforts, the department strived to identify opportunities to better deliver its work and initiated the delivery of foundational initiatives to support corporate priorities which included greening the way we work. The transformation agenda has ended, but efforts to improve continue. Corporate priorities have since been embedded in the way that the department plans and manages its day-to-day work. Efforts continue on greening operations in a way that is better for the planet and for future generations.
PSPC is supporting the overall GC's greening efforts by embedding environmental considerations into its day-to-day operations, and given its vast operations, PSPC is uniquely positioned to support 3 goals under the 2019 to 2022 FSDS: Greening Government, sustainable food and safe and healthy communities.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Greening Government
The federal government is leading by example through operations that are low-carbon, resilient and green. The GC is committed to sustainable consumption and production which requires a reduction in resource use, degradation and pollution along the whole life cycle and supply chain of the materials and products consumed.
Over the last decade, PSPC contributed to meeting targets under the Greening Government goal and supported the GC by implementing a wide range of measures to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings and fleet. As the first department to complete a national plan to achieve a carbon neutral portfolio, PSPC is leading and creating a culture change in the real property community. To date, the department has already realized a 54% reduction in GHG emissions, surpassing the 2016 to 2019 FSDS target of 40% by 2030.
Following the 2018 G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, PSPC purchased carbon credits on the voluntary Canadian market, where each carbon credit represents a reduction of 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. These credits are generated by compensatory projects specifically implemented to reduce GHG emissions, and PSPC's purchase of carbon credits offset a total of 8,634 tons of CO2 equivalent. Furthermore, the Acquisitions Program maintained procurement instruments that facilitate greener purchases for federal, provincial and territorial organizations, with over 40% [or 1,035 instruments] dedicated to goods and services with a reduced environmental footprint.
Under the 2019 to 2022 FSDS goal for Greening Government, the GC established an additional target to further reduce GHG emissions across federal operations by 80% by 2050. PSPC is likely to surpass this target by 2050, taking into account the department's successes to date and its ambitious target to achieve a carbon neutral portfolio by 2050. Through a national battery recycling program [with Call2Recycle] available throughout federal buildings, PSPC also managed the collection of approximately 300,000 kilograms of batteries since 2014, thereby diverting toxic heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, zinc and manganese.
Contributing to the 2019 minister's mandate commitment to develop a strategy that will power federal buildings with 100% clean electricity by 2022, PSPC's Real Property Services Program is implementing energy efficiency/GHG reduction projects across the country, including light-emitting diode (LED) lighting conversions, and has installed smart building services in over 100 federal assets. Smart building is a technology and a service to monitor heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems with a goal to reduce a building's energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Looking toward the future
PSPC's Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP) manages and operates the existing district energy system that connects over 80 buildings in the National Capital Region, including the Parliament buildings, to central heating and cooling plants using over 14km of underground piping, providing heating by steam or high temperature hot water and cooling by chilled water. These plants were built between 1916 and 1971. Through ESAP, the department supports both the greening of federal operations, as well as Canada's progress towards the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for affordable and clean energy. Through a public-private partnership, PSPC is leading the modernization of 4 central heating and cooling plants from steam. This investment in modern technology will result in an estimated cost avoidance of more than $500 million over the next 35 years. In addition, modernization of the district energy system will increase safety, efficiency, reliability and environmental performance, resulting in a reduction of operating costs and an estimated reduction in GHG emissions of approximately 33%. Future activities will move towards “deeper greening” by replacing natural gas with carbon neutral energy sources for baseload operation, a move that has the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
As the GC's central purchaser and one of the country's largest buyers, PSPC's Acquisitions Program manages approximately $15 billion in procurements, allowing PSPC to promote a sustainable life-cycle management approach when purchasing goods across departments and agencies. To contribute toward meeting the commitment on exploring measures that support the conversion of government fleets to zero-emission vehicles in the 2019 mandate letter to the minister of Public Services and Procurement, the department also maintains procurement instruments for electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for use across the federal government. To support this fleet of low and zero-emission vehicles, PSPC has installed 97 electric vehicle charging stations in 28 owned or leased federal buildings across the country, for a total investment of approximately $3.5 million.
Plastic waste poses a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems, oceans and wildlife, and under the Ocean Plastics Charter, the GC is taking a life-cycle approach to the management of plastics. The Real Property Plastics Action Plan demonstrates PSPC's commitment to reduce the use of plastic in construction projects. In addition, the Acquisitions Program is incorporating plastic waste considerations and alternatives into modernized procurement processes; it is developing and integrating standard procurement language with respect to packaging and durability in order to increase the procurement of sustainable plastic products and reduce associated plastic packaging waste. PSPC will also complete waste audits in federal buildings to determine how much plastic is being diverted, contributing to the GC's commitment to divert at least 75% of plastic waste from federal operations.
Greening the GC's operations depends equally on the responsible divestment of surplus goods. Through GCSurplus, PSPC will continue to manage the sale and divestment of government surplus assets, facilitating re-use, and operates special programs designed to facilitate the diversion of certain forms of waste from landfills across the country.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Sustainable food
Canada's food is harvested on farmlands, caught in oceans and freshwater systems, hunted and gathered in the wilderness, and grown in homes and communities across the country. Working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, PSPC's Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) creates and updates strong standards to safeguard Canadian economic, health, safety and environmental interests, including some relating to agriculture and aquaculture. These CGSB standards promote the principles of organic agriculture, as well as organic aquaculture, ensuring that operations in these industries are harmonious with the environment and maintain long-term biological stability and diversity.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Safe and healthy communities
Under the FSDS goal for ensuring safe and healthy communities, the GC is committed to ensuring that Canadians live in clean, safe environments that contribute to their health and well-being. Among other measures, this means managing harmful substances to protect Canadians and the environment. Working with Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), PSPC participates in the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) by assessing and remediating high priority contaminated sites. As of 2019, PSPC has managed the remediation of 28 high priority federal contaminated sites. These efforts have not only reduced the environmental and human health risks related to harmful substances on federal lands, but they have also reduced Canada's associated financial liability by $85 million.
In collaboration with ECCC, PSPC's CGSB also maintains several standards for petroleum fuels, helping to minimize their environmental impacts.
Section 3: Commitments for Public Services and Procurement Canada
In this section
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Greening Government
The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations.
Note
This goal captures commitments from the Greening Government Strategy (GGS), as well as reporting requirements under Treasury Board Secretariat's (TBS's) Policy on Green Procurement. The GGS is the mechanism in which the government informs departments on the targets they need to achieve to meet high-level FSDS commitments.
Responsible ministers: all ministers.
Learn how PSPC is committed to the targets and contributing actions under the Greening Government goal.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government facilities and fleets
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Reduce GHG emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to become carbon neutral)
1- Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
All new buildings and major building retrofits will prioritize low-carbon investments based on integrated design principles, and life-cycle and total cost of ownership assessments which incorporate shadow carbon pricing.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 1
Incorporate GHG emissions reduction into the departmental decision-making process using GHG options analysis methodology which is a lifecycle cost-benefit analysis required for all new buildings, major renovations and any other project that affects energy consumption.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainment Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
PSPC's most recent GHG report to TBS (2018 to 2019) has presented a 54% reduction in emissions when compared to the 2005 to 2006 baseline year.
The department is well on its way to achieving the FSDS 80% GHG reduction target set for 2050. The FSDS 2030 GHG emission reduction target of 40% has already been met.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
This action indirectly supports goal 13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Performance indicator for action 1
Percentage of GHG emissions reduction.
Starting point for action 1
The baseline year is 2005 to 2006. In 2018 to 2019, PSPC reported a 54% reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to the 2005 to 2006 baseline.
Target for action 1
PSPC has committed to achieving a carbon neutral portfolio by 2050, with aspirations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Office of prime interest for action 1
Real Property Services.
2- Greening Government Federal Sustainment Development Strategy contributing action
Departments will adopt and deploy clean technologies and implement procedures to manage building operations and take advantage of programs to improve the environmental performance of their buildings.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 2
Undertake the implementation of various clean technologies in building operations, such as Smart Building Services, deep energy/GHG retrofit, lighting upgrades, fuel switching, space utilization optimization and central heating/cooling plants modernization.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainment Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
Understanding the range of applications for clean technology in building operations will raise awareness in the built environment and ultimately reduce GHG emissions and support more efficient production and consumption.
Related United Nations sustainable development goals
- Goal 9: build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation (target 9.4)
- Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (target 12.2)
Performance indicator for action 2
Percentage of GHG emissions reduction.
Starting point for action 2
The baseline year is 2005 to 2006. In 2018 to 2019, PSPC reported a 54% reduction of its GHG emissions, when compared to the 2005 to 2006 baseline.
Target for action 2
PSPC has committed to achieving a carbon neutral portfolio by 2050, with aspirations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Office of prime interest for action 2
Real Property Services.
Divert non-hazardous operational waste from landfills
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030.
Greening Government Federal Sustainment Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 3
Complete waste audits and develop waste reduction strategies in applicable PSPC Crown-owned buildings on a 3 year cycle starting in fiscal year 2019 to 2020.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
The completion of waste audits and waste reduction workplans at PSPC Crown-owned and leased buildings will provide PSPC with data as it relates to how much waste is being sent to landfills versus recycled and composted. It will also include information on types of plastic waste sent to landfill. Having this data will allow PSPC to focus its efforts on poor performing buildings and put strategies in place to reduce the amount of waste and plastic materials being sent to landfill and therefore assisting in meeting the 75% diversion target.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (target 12.5).
Performance indicators for action 3
- Total waste generated per occupant per year (kg/occupant)
- Percentage of annual waste diverted from landfillsfootnote 1
Starting point for action 3
- In 2019 to 2020, total waste generated per occupant per year (kg/occupant) was 66 kg/full-time equivalent
- In 2019 to 2020, PSPC diverted 60% of annual waste from landfillsfootnote 2
Targets for action 3
- Reduce total operational waste 10% by 2025
- Divert 75% of remaining waste by 2030 including :
- 75% of plastics
- 95% of paper
Office of prime interest for action 3
Real Property Services.
Divert plastic waste from landfills
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030.
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 4
Implement the Real Property Plastics Action Plan, including:
- update PSPC's fit-up and base building standards and integrate diversion clauses into construction project specifications and procedures
- implement revised national waste audit methodology that incorporates zero plastic waste objectives
- complete waste audits and develop waste reduction strategies in applicable PSPC Crown-owned buildings
- complete 6 occupant awareness pilot projects in PSPC Crown-owned buildings
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
The implementation of PSPC's Real Property Plastics Action Plan contributes directly to the FSDS target on diverting plastic waste from landfill. Through various initiatives, PSPC will determine how to reduce plastic in fit-up projects, complete various studies, analysis and engage federal employees in order to reduce plastic waste in federal buildings. The results of these initiatives will be used to inform future updates to PSPC's fit-up and base buildings standards and furniture specifications, which will assist the department in using less plastic material, therefore contributing to less plastic being sent to the landfill.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (targets 12.4 and 12.5).
Performance indicator for action 4
Percentage of completed actions under the PSPC Plastics Action Plan by 2030.
Starting point for action 4
0%. PSPC initiated the Plastics Action Plan in 2019 to 2020. footnote 3
Target for action 4
Complete 100% of the activities in the plan.
Office of prime interest for action 4
Real Property Services.
Divert construction and demolition waste from landfills
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste from landfills (striving to achieve 100% by 2030).
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 5
PSPC will track and disclose its waste diversion rates by 2022 for completed applicable projects. PSPC will also integrate performance targets and reporting requirements into applicable PSPC procedures and processes such as the National Project Management System (NPMS), and GC workplace base-buildings and fit-up standards.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
By integrating the target into applicable PSPC procedures and processes, PSPC will ensure that the reduction target is incorporated and reported for applicable PSPC managed project.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (targets 12.4 and 12.5).
Performance indicators for action 5
- Amount of total construction and demolition waste generated per m² (tonnes/m²)
- Percentage of construction and demolition waste diverted
Starting point for action 5
- The amount of total construction and demolition waste generated per m² (tonnes/m²) in 2019 to 2020 was 0.2 tonnes/m²
- Percentage of construction and demolition waste diverted in 2019 to 2020 was 79%footnote 4
Target for action 5
Divert at least 90% (by weight) of construction and demolition waste from landfills for applicable projects.
Office of prime interest for action 5
Real Property Services.
Carbon neutral domestic office lease transactions
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
By 2030, 75% of domestic office lease transactions must be carbon neutral in situations where the federal government represents 75% or greater of the occupied space (square metres), market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists.
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
In all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres, landlords must report building energy and water usage and waste generated using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 6
As of April 1, 2019, for all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres, landlords must report building energy, water usage and waste generated using the online tool ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® to benchmark the performance of buildings.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
This action will allow PSPC to assist in meeting the 75% FSDS target on carbon neutral domestic office lease transactions. By implementing the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool in the management of domestic office leases and lease renewals, PSPC will be able to give preference to the higher performing buildings that minimize energy use and GHG emissions from heating and electricity.
Performance indicator for action 6
Percentage of office leases that are reporting energy, water and waste using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® (for which the reporting requirement is applicable).
Starting point for action 6
This is a new requirement that will start to be integrated into new leases for office space and lease renewals for office space. The requirement will be applicable only to office leases and office lease renewals which are more than 500 square meter. Starting point is 0.
Target for action 6
As of April 1, 2019, all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres report building energy and water usage and waste generated using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®.
Office of prime interest for action 6
Real Property Services.
Measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations.
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 7
Integrate climate adaptation measures for buildings in:
- the Asset Management Plan process
- the threats and risks assessment process
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
PSPC has completed studies that identified climate hazards specific to real property assets in the National Capital Area and climate risk and vulnerability assessments for specific buildings across the country, and for Parliamentary Precinct. The knowledge gained from pilot assessments will be used to incorporate climate change considerations in business processes (asset management plans, threat and risk assessments, building condition reports). This action is consistent with the government's risk management approach of enhancing the protection of public assets and resources and strengthening planning and decision-making.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
This action indirectly supports goal 13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (target 13.5).
Performance indicator for action 7
Not applicable.
Starting point for action 7
The measures are currently not integrated into the Asset Management Plan process or the threat and risk assessment process.
Target for action 7
Complete the integration of the climate adaptation measures for buildings in business processes by 2021 to 2022.
Office of prime interest for action 7
Real Property Services.
100% clean electricity
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Use 100% clean electricity by 2025.
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 8
In line with the 2019 minister's mandate letter, PSPC is the lead for developing a strategy to power federal buildings with clean electricity. PSPC is:
- developing power purchase agreements (PPAs) to procure electricity from newly installed clean electricity generation
- working with the Treasury Board Secretariat to coordinate participation of all government departments in the procurement of clean electricity through the PSPC clean electricity procurement initiatives
- addressing the purchase of clean power for high-emitting provinces and territories (2 regional initiatives with national coordination: the Atlantic clean energy initiative and the Western Region clean electricity purchase initiative)
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
PSPC has been working to meet the Pan-Canadian Framework to procure 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2025. Recently, that mandate has been accelerated to use 100% electricity from non-GHG emitting sources by 2022. The use of clean electricity eliminates GHG emissions in jurisdictions with emitting generation sources.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 7: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (target 7.2).
Performance indicator for action 8
Percentage of GC electricity that is clean.
Starting point for action 8
In 2018 to 2019, 80% of GC electricity was clean.
Target for action 8
Use 100% electricity from non-greenhouse gas emitting sources by 2022.
Offices of prime interest for action 8
- Real Property Services
- Acquisitions Program
Other contributing actions
Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
This section is for actions that support the Greening Government goal but do not directly support a FSDS target.
1- Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 9
Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Integrating environmental considerations throughout the electronic procurement solution (EPS) will assist in prompting users to consider environmental considerations at various steps in the procurement process and will support the tracking of when environmental considerations have been applied.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (target 12.7).
Performance indicator for action 9
Not applicable.
Starting point for action 9
Manual processes.
Target for action 9
Integration of environmental considerations into the EPS.
Office of prime interest for action 9
Acquisitions Program.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 10
Incorporate environmental considerations into the development of common-use procurement instruments.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Including environmental considerations into PSPC common procurement instruments will allow clients to factor environmental impacts into their purchasing decisions.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (target 12.7).
Performance indicator for action 10
Percentage of PSPC standing offers and supply arrangements that include green goods and services.
Starting point for action 10
43% of PSPC contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements that include green goods and services as of fiscal year-end 2019 to 2020. footnote 5
Target for action 10
42.5% for 2020 to 2021.
Office of prime interest for action 10
Acquisitions Program.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 11
Develop and integrate standard procurement language with respect to packaging and durability.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Developing and integrating standard procurement language with respect to packaging and durability will help to increase the procurement of sustainable plastic products and the reduction of associated plastic packaging waste.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (target 12.7).
Performance indicator for action 11
Not applicable.
Starting point for action 11
Various non-standard approaches with respect to packaging and durability requirements.
Target for action 11
Standard procurement language with respect to packaging and durability.
Office of prime interest for action 11
Acquisitions Program.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 12
Develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to generate information in support of green procurement.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Developing an AI tool that will provide information on the environmentally-responsible acquisition of goods and services within PSPC.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (target 12.7).
Performance indicator for action 12
Not applicable.
Starting point for action 12
Limited data availability via manual processes.
Target for action 12
Automated support via an AI tool.
Office of prime interest for action 12
Acquisitions Program.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 13
Ensure decision-makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Obtaining the necessary training on green procurement will support the environmentally-responsible acquisition of goods and services across government and within PSPC.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (targets 12.7 and 12.8).
Performance indicator for action 13
Percentage of designated specialists in procurement who have been trained on green procurement at fiscal year-end (March 31).
Starting point for action 13
1,215 or 98.9% of Acquisitions Program designated specialists in procurement have completed training on green procurement at fiscal year-end 2018 to 2019.
Target for action 13
90% of designated specialists will receive training in green procurement in 2020 to 2021.
Office of prime interest for action 13
Acquisitions Program.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 14
Develop a suite of measures that will support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles across government fleets.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal
Developing a suite of measures to support the adoption of zero-emission vehicles will contribute to reducing overall GHG emissions and strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change as stated in the Paris Agreement.
Performance indicator for action 14
Not applicable. PSPC makes zero-emission vehicles and hybrid vehicles available for purchase where supply exists to meet client needs.
Starting points for action 14footnote 6
- 100% of executive vehicles purchased are hybrid or zero-emission
- 30 to 40% of administrative vehicles purchased are hybrid or zero-emission
Target for action 14
Incremental progress towards further greening of the administrative fleet: 80% of vehicles to be zero-emission by 2030. footnote 7
Office of prime interest for action 14
Acquisitions Program.
2- Greening Government Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 15
Manage a national battery recycling program (Call2Recycle) at select federal government facilities.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
This program diverts toxic heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc, mercury and manganese) found in batteries, from landfill waste.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (target 12.5).
Performance indicator for action 15
Tons of batteries recycled per year.
Starting point for action 15
50,554.07 KG recycled.
Target for action 15
50,554.07 KG. The target for any given year is equal to the amount of batteries recycled during the previous year.
Office of prime interest for action 15
Receiver General and Pensions Branch (GCSurplus).
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 16
Update and implement the landscape management plans for PSPC Crown-owned buildings promoting sustainable and climate-resilient solutions.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Greening Government goal and target
Minimizing environmentally harmful and hazardous chemicals and materials used and disposed of in real property operations, and supporting low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patters (targets 12.4 and 12.5).
Performance indicator for action 16
Percentage of new or updated landscape management plans that integrate measures and best practices for sustainability and resiliencefootnote 8.
Starting point for action 16
Collect data starting in fiscal year 2022 to 2023.
Target for action 16
Starting in 2022, update and implement landscape management plans to protect, restore, and enhance local ecosystem services and eliminate the use of toxic pesticides.
Office of Prime Interest for action 16
Real Property Services.
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Sustainable food
Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians.
Responsible ministers: minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Learn how PSPC is committed to the targets and contributing actions under the sustainable food goal.
Support organic agriculture
Sustainable food Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
By 2030, support improvement in the environmental performance of the agricultural sector by achieving a score of 71 or higher for the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability (reflecting the quality of the water, soil, air and biodiversity).
Sustainable food Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
No specific FSDS contributing action is applicable.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 17
Revise and update the national standards on organic production systems to support and facilitate the principles of organic agriculture.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy sustainable food goal and target
By updating the general principals and management standards and permitted substances (referenced in the Organic Products Regulations, 2009), PSPC contributes to implementing operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment in a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (target 2.4).
Performance indicator for action 17
National Standards of Canada must be revised on a schedule not exceeding five years from the date of its last publication.
Starting point for action 17
Organic production systems standard revised in 2015.
Target for action 17
Updated standards in November 2020.
Office of prime interest for action 17
Receiver General and Pensions Branch (Canadian General Standards Board).
Support organic aquaculture
Sustainable food Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
Achieve 90% compliance with Fisheries Act regulations related to aquaculture.
Sustainable food Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
Use legislation and regulations to ensure sustainable aquaculture.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 18
Revise and update the national standard, organic aquaculture (this standard will be referenced in the upcoming Safe Food for Canadians Act), to support and facilitate the principles of organic aquaculture.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy sustainable food goal and target
By updating the national standard, organic aquaculture, PSPC contributes to protecting the environment, maintaining long-term biological stability and recycling materials and resources.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (target 14.4).
Performance indicator for action 18
National Standards of Canada must be revised on a schedule not exceeding 5 years from the date of its last publication.
Starting point for action 18
National standard, organic aquaculture of February 2018.
Target for action 18
Updated standard in February 2023.
Office of prime interest for action 18
Receiver General and Pensions Branch (Canadian General Standards Board).
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal: Safe and healthy communities
All Canadians live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their health and well-being.
Responsible ministers: minister of Environment and Climate Change; minister of Health.
Learn how PSPC is committed to the targets and contributing actions under the safe and healthy communities' goal.
Assessing and remediating contaminated sites
Safe and healthy communities Federal Sustainable Development Strategy target
This section is for actions that support the safe and healthy communities' goal but do not directly support a FSDS target.
Safe and healthy communities Federal Sustainable Development Strategy contributing action
Demonstrate leadership on assessing and remediating contaminated sites.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 19
Identify risks and priorities for remediation by completing environmental site assessments (ESA).
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy safe and healthy communities' goal and target
This PSPC corresponding action indirectly supports the FSDS goal by remediating federal contaminated sites through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) to ensure that ecological risks related to harmful substances on these lands are reduced.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 15: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Performance indicator for action 19
Percentage of sites eligible for the FCSAP funding where ESAs have been completed since the start of FCSAP in 2005.
Starting point for action 19
April 1, 2020footnote 9 custodial inventory.
Target for action 19
95% of FCSAP Assessment funding received by PSPC is spent to evaluate the potential liability by March 31, 2025.
Office of prime interest for action 19
Real Property Services.
Corresponding Public Services and Procurement Canada action 20
Implement risk reduction activities (remediation and risk management) to reduce associated liability.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy safe and healthy communities' goal and target
This PSPC corresponding action indirectly supports the FSDS goal by remediating federal contaminated sites through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) to ensure that ecological risks related to harmful substances on these lands are reduced.
Related United Nations sustainable development goal
Goal 15: protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Performance indicator for action 20
Percentage of remediation expenditures spent at FCSAP-funded remediation sites that reduce liability during phase IV.
Starting point for action 20
April 1, 2020 custodial inventory.
Target for action 20
95% of remediation funding received is spent to reduce liability by March 31, 2025.
Office of prime interest for action 20
Real Property Services.
Section 4: Integrating sustainable development
PSPC is committed to integrating sustainable development considerations into the decision-making, risk management, planning and delivery of its programs and initiatives. These considerations are being integrated through horizontality and collaboration underpinned by a central governance. Through a reinforced departmental planning and reporting process stemming from recent transformation efforts, PSPC's DSDS sets the stage to fulfill the 2019 minister's mandate commitments and key initiatives in support of sustainable development with a focus on greening its operations.
Departmental performance with respect to actions that contributed to achieving the FSDS goals is reported through the departmental results report. In addition to supporting ECCC with the development of the various FSDS iterations, PSPC also collaborates with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and TBS to participate in the advancement of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
To integrate sustainable development into its internal policy and operational processes, the department has published a revised version of its Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment and has reinforced its strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. PSPC must undertake strategic assessments of environmental impacts, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets, at the outset of the development of all policy, plan and program proposals being submitted to the minister or Cabinet for approval, or when circumstances warrant, to determine if important environmental effects, positive or negative, are likely to arise from their implementation. A preliminary scan must be completed first to determine environmental effects and if any are identified, a SEA must be completed. The SEA must identify and recommend appropriate mitigation measures (for potential negative effects) and/or enhancement measures (for potential important positive effects), to respond to the environmental effects likely to result from the implementation of the policy, plan or program proposal.
As PSPC continues to develop its integrated risk management culture, the department will continue to consider risks that relates to its sustainable development objectives. In assessing and managing its organizational and project risks and in developing mitigation strategies to address them, the department will apply the sustainable development lens when appropriate. In addition, in developing its evaluation plan and in conducting program evaluations, sustainable development outcomes and factors will be considered and integrated when applicable.
- Date modified: