2018–19 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

February 2018

1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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

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 NSERC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision making process through the actions described in the “FSDS goal: low-carbon government” table in section 2, below.

2. Commitments for NSERC

FSDS goal: low-carbon government

FSDS target	FSDS contributing action	Corresponding departmental action(s)	Starting points where available and performance indicators for departmental actions	Programs where the departmental actions will occur
Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025.	Support the transition to a low carbon economy through green procurement.	Integration into processes Integrate environmental consideration into procurement management processes and controls	1) Update the statement of work / request for quotes templates to include language that include environmental considerations. Starting point: 2 Level of performance 100%	Procurement and Materiel Management
			2) Update procurement review checklists to include environmental considerations. Starting point: 2 Level of performance: 100%	Procurement and Materiel Management
			3) Raise awareness on the importance and benefits of green procurement at procurement review board or committees. Starting point: 6 committees Level of performance: 100%	Procurement and Materiel Management
			4) 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. Starting point: 90% Level of performance: 98%	Meeting and Travel Planning Services
			5) Copy paper, commercial printing and /or envelope purchases will contain 100% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production. Starting point: 95% of current paper contains a minimum of 30% recycled content. Level of performance: 95% of paper will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and 7% of paper will contain of 100% recycled content	Information and Innovation Solutions
		Training Ensure decisions makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement	Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in the given fiscal year. Starting point: 5 Level of performance: 100%.	Procurement and Materiel Management
		Performance Agreement 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 toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2018-19. Starting point: 3 Level of performance: 100%	Procurement and Materiel Management

3. Integrating sustainable development

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