Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2016 to 2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act 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, we support reporting on the implementation of the 2017 to 2020 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

2. Sustainable development in Veterans Affairs Canada

Our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for 2017 to 2020 describes the department’s actions in support of achieving the following goals:

  1. Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations;
  2. Modernize our fleet;
  3. Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement;
  4. Promote sustainable travel practices; and,
  5. Understand climate change impacts and build resilience.

This supplementary information table presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Previous years’ supplementary information tables are posted on our website.

3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal

The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2.

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:

  1. 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025.
  2. 80% compared with 2005 levels by 2050 Footnote1
FSDS contributing action(s): Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations.
Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Effective space utilization
  1. Apply Workplace 2.0 fit-up standards of 12m2/FTE in departmental facilities as leases expire. Footnote2
  2. Explore / implement activity based workspace approaches, as opportunities arise.
 Density of use – the number of m2/FTE. Average for 2018–19 is 17m2/FTE.
  • Density of use – the number of m2/FTE. Average for 2019-20 is 18m2/FTE in a GCWorkplace set up, rather than Workplace 2.0
  • 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

This helps to contribute to low carbon operations, will reduce the demand for energy which will lead to reductions in GHGs.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
FSDS contributing action(s): Modernize our fleet.
Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Optimize vehicle fleet size and that the vehicle be the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class and / or is an alternative fuel vehicle. Percentage of vehicle purchases in any given year will meet the target. Current = 100% 100%

Veterans Affairs Canada purchased 4 hybrid vehicles in FY 2019-2020. This helps to contribute to low carbon operations and reduces GHG emissions from federal government fleet.

Related SDGs:
SDG 7 – Affordable and clean energy
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
FSDS contributing action(s): Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement and the adoption of clean technologies and green products and services.Footnote3
Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Integrate environmental considerations into 100% of procurement management processes and control. Number of departmental procurement processes and controls that incorporate environmental considerations relative to the total number of departmental procurement processes and controls. 100%

All 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. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Incorporate environmental considerations into the development of 100% of any common-use procurement instruments. Percentage of common-use procurement instruments developed that incorporate environmental considerations. 100%

VAC uses procurement tools set up by PSPC which incorporate environmental considerations. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Ensure 100% of decision makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. Percentage of specialists in procurement and material management who have completed training on green procurement in 2016–17 = 100%; 2017–18 = 100%; 2018–19 is 100% 100%

All procurement specialists have completed training on green procurement. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations. 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%; 2018–19 = 100% 100%

Manager and functional heads of procurement have completed green procurement training. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Set departmental targets to reduce the environmental impact of specific goods or services. Percentage of purchases that include criteria or clauses which reduce the environmental impact of the product or service being purchased 95%

Veterans Affairs Canada uses PSPC generated templates which include clauses that incorporate the Government of Canada’s Policy on Green Procurement in all high and medium complexity contracts. The procurement unit provides advice and guidance to internal clients on the importance of environmental considerations when developing their requirements. VAC will incorporate language into low dollar procurements to reduce the environmental impact of the product or service being purchased. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
  • 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.
 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%.

100% Copy Paper

98% Commercial Printing & Envelopes

The procurement unit purchases paper products via the PSPC issued national master standing offer, which contains environmental standards. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices:  
  • Printer ratio = 1 printer for 8 FTEs
  • Printers per FTE – current ratio is 1 printer/ 8 FTEs
 Pre-COVID VAC was moving to 1:15 from 1:8 with the expectation of reducing this even further with the move to GCWorkplace and digital signatures

As offices are renovated and refitted, the approach will be to reassess printer needs.

With our current plans for GCWorkplace and reduced building occupancy, as our buildings begin to slowly re-open, our printer requirements will continue to change for the foreseeable future as a reduced need for printers along with printer supplies, such as paper. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
  • 10% reduction in paper usage per FTE
  • Paper usage per FTE – current use is approx. 7500 sheets/FTE.
 The annualized paper use was at 4350 pages per user, down from 7500 sheets per user last reporting period, and continues to trend downward, resulting in 10% or more reduction in paper usage per FTE.

This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
  • Senior Management approval of the green meetings awareness guide and distribution to all management teams.
  • On track to achieve this goal by March 31, 2018.

Delayed due to operational priorities.

This goal has not been met. We will aim to adopt a green meetings awareness guide by March 31, 2021.

Once completed, this will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.
  • Additionally, VAC Head Office locations in Charlottetown participate in a battery recycling program.
 Departmental locations with electronic and electrical equipment disposal plan implemented.
  • Weight (lbs.) of batteries collected per year.
 The percentage of disposal plans in departmental locations is 100% for this period.
  • 658.1 lbs. of batteries collected for 2019-20

This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it contributes to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Train 100% of acquisition cardholders on green procurement as a best practice. Percentage of acquisition cardholders with green procurement training. 50% On track to achieve this goal by March 31, 2021. To support this, the procurement unit has incorporated a notice in procurement information sessions to be offered to staff highlighting the need for cardholders to complete Green Procurement training. Finance division will send a directive to all acquisition card holders advising of the requirement to complete Green Procurement C215 training. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it will contribute to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers as a best practice.

Percentage of managers with purchasing ability who have had Policy on Green Procurement awareness training.

Target is 100% of managers trained by 2020.

 75% On track to achieve this goal by March 31, 2021. The Procurement team provides advice and guidance highlighting the need to incorporate environmental considerations to internal clients when processing contract requests. Procurement also incorporated messaging on environmental considerations, the Policy on Green Procurement, and Green Procurement C215 training into procurement training sessions to be offered to staff in the future. This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it will contribute to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Integrate sustainability and life-cycle assessment principles in procurement policies and practices, including the government’s supply chainFootnote4 To be determined. Where relevant, VAC will integrate sustainability and life-cycle assessment principles in procurement policies and practices.

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Work with major suppliers to encourage the disclosure of their GHG emissions and environmental performance informationFootnote4 To be determined. When possible, VAC will encourage major suppliers to disclose their GHG emission and environmental performance information.

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Support departments in adopting clean technology and clean technology demonstration projectsFootnote4 To be determined. Where relevant, VAC will support departments in adopting clean technology and clean technology demonstration projects.

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Increase training and support on green procurement to public service employeesFootnote4 To be determined. VAC will work towards implementing increased training and support on green procurement to public service employees. To support this, the procurement unit has incorporated a notice in procurement information sessions to be offered to staff highlighting the need for cardholders to complete Green Procurement training. Finance division will send a directive to all acquisition card holders advising of the requirement to complete Green Procurement C215 training.
FSDS contributing action(s): Promote sustainable travel practices.
Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
By March 31, 2021, reduce GHG emissions from business travel by 25% of 2008-09 levels.

Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq).

2018-19: 2,178 CO2eq tonnes

 2019-20: 1,940 CO2eq tonnes

VAC will continue to work toward reducing GHG emissions from business travel by 25% of 2008-09 levels by March 31, 2021 which will contribute to low carbon operations. As a result of COVID-19 VAC officials will have minimal travel in 2020–21. Accordingly, our CO2eq tonnes will be significantly reduced.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
FSDS contributing action(s): Understand climate change impacts and build resilience
Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Identify the range of climate change impacts and adaptation measures that could potentially affect departmental assets, programs, and services across the country.
  • Develop and begin to implement a departmental climate adaptation plan.
 Participate in an intradepartmental working group to develop a climate adaptation plan, as part of Business Continuity Planning by March 31, 2018. The VAC OPIs responsible for Business Continuity participate in interdepartmental working groups where climate change is discussed. Business Continuity Plans (BCP) currently take into account natural disasters (e.g. flooding). VAC are taking action to understand the potential impacts of changes in weather events that could be affected by climate change, as part of VAC’s hazard risk assessment.

This will help to reduce GHG emissions as it will contribute to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
Integrate consideration of climate change impacts and adaptation into departmental planning, policy, programs, and operations.
  • 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.
 Development and Implement Strategic Environmental Assessment policy and process by March 31, 2018. Current status = complete. SDG 13 – Climate action
Ensure service disruptions are avoided by incorporating climate change considerations and adaptation measures into corporate risk and business continuity planning.
  • Review and revise the departmental corporate risk and business continuity plans to integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
 Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation by March 31, 2018. Risk planning, including BCPs, take into account natural disasters (e.g. flooding). We are taking action to understand the potential impacts of changes in weather events, that could be affected by climate change

This will help to understand climate change impacts and build resilience and factors in climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations

Related SDG(s):
SDG 13 – Climate action
Climate change impacts and adaptation inform investment planning:  
  • Review and revise the departmental investment plan to integrate consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
 Investment plan incorporates consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures as part of the 2018-2023 Investment Plan. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Investment Plan cycle has been delayed. Relevant information will be included when the cycle resumes. Not applicable
  • Key officials incorporate the Federal Adaptation Policy Framework in their performance evaluations.
 Climate change adaptation is addressed in performance management agreements for executives. Work is underway to explore measurable commitments and performance measures in Executive performance agreements.

This will help executives understand climate change impacts and build resilience, which will help to reduce GHG emissions as it will contribute to low carbon operations.

Related SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Understand and address the wide range of climate change impacts that could potentially affect federal assets, services and operations across the countryFootnote4 To be determined. Climate change was one of the risks assessed in the Departmental Hazard Risk Assessment analysis and is mentioned in the Departmental Security Plan implementation strategy.

This will help to understand climate change impacts and build resilience and factors in climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Minimize service disruptions, incorporate climate change impacts in business continuity planning, and explore how climate change impacts and adaptation can be integrated into program design and delivery considerationsFootnote4 To be determined. Climate change was one of the risks assessed in the Departmental Hazard Risk Assessment analysis and is mentioned in the Departmental Security Plan implementation strategy. All BCPs were updated in March 2020 which included climate change related considerations (e.g. impact of weather patterns on office access).

This will help to understand climate change impacts and build resilience and factors in climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations

Related SDGs:
SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Incorporate climate-resilient design and delivery into all major real property projectsFootnote4 To be determined. All major real property projects are led by PSPC. However, where relevant, we will incorporate climate-resilient design and delivery into real property projects. SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Adopt climate-resilient building codes being developed by National Research Council CanadaFootnote4 To be determined. Where relevant, VAC will adopt climate resilient building codes being developed by NRCC. SDG 13 – Climate action
New: Incorporate adaptation in departmental risk planning or equivalent processesFootnote4 To be determined. Where relevant, climate change considerations are included in risk identification and planning at VAC. Not applicable
 
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