Reporting on Green Procurement

This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.

1. Context

Although the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS), the NSERC adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with 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, NSERC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision‑making process through the actions described in the 2019 to 2022 FSDS “Greening Government” goal.

2. Commitments

Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) 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

Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement

Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions

Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls

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.

Target: 90% of paper will contain 100% recycled content by end of 2021

No change in 2021. 95% of current paper contains a minimum of 30% recycled content.

Due to the current environment of remote work, the department has not purchased paper in the last fiscal year.

Motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of their goods, services and supply chains.

Green procurement incorporates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions. Applying such criteria, contracts can be awarded to suppliers
while taking environmental considerations into account in purchasing decisions. 

   

Insert in all contracts a procedure to provide Finance with an electronic copy of invoices instead of a paper copy.

This target was achieved in 2020

In 2021–22 100% of contracts included a procedure to provide Finance with an electronic copy of invoices instead of a paper copy.

 
   

Minimize packaging waste by adding a packaging criterion to RFQ’s when ordering goods.

Starting point: 10% in 2020

Target: 60% by end of 2021

In 2021, the 60% target was achieved.

A criterion requiring minimal or green packaging was added to NSERC’s Statements of Requirement (SOR) and Requests for Quotes (RFQ) when purchasing goods.

 

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees

Ensure that decisions makers, and material management and procurement specialists have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement

Percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent.

Starting point: 85% in 2020

Target: 100% by 2021

In 2021–22, 100% of procurement and/or materiel management specialists have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent.

Green procurement incorporates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions.

Procurement officers who are trained to apply such criteria can award contracts while taking environmental considerations into account in purchasing decisions.

3. Report on integrating sustainable development

During the 2021–22 reporting cycle, NSERC had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and no public statements were produced.

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