2017–18 Departmental Plan: Supplementary Information Tables – Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Overview of the federal government’s approach to sustainable development

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 Canadian Institutes of Health Research supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision‑making process through the activities in this supplementary information table.

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

2. Department and agency commitments under the 2016–19 FSDS

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) is the Government of Canada’s primary vehicle for sustainable development planning and reporting. It sets out its sustainable development priorities, establishes goals and targets, and identifies actions to achieve them.

The 2016–19 FSDS is the third whole-of-government strategy prepared in accordance with Subsection 9(1) of the Federal Sustainable Development Act. The Strategy presents 13 aspirational goals that are a Canadian reflection of the environmentally-related, sustainable development goals outlined in the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Leading by example, the Government of Canada is making its operations low-carbon. Although CIHR is not bound by the Act, and is not required to develop an organizational sustainable development strategy, it adheres to the Policy on Green Procurement.

By implementing the principles of the 2016–19 FSDS Goal 2, “Low-carbon government”, CIHR is demonstrating its willingness to contribute to Canada’s ability to honour its international climate change commitments and reduce our carbon footprint.

CIHR does not measure its progress on achieving low-carbon government by tracking Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from its operations due to the fact this organization does not have buildings or fleets. However, CIHR will continue its strategy to support clean technologies and green products and services by taking environmental considerations into account in its purchasing decisions and by promoting sustainable workplace practices.

Scope and Context

CIHR procures over $10 million in goods and services per year, in multiple commodity categories. Greening of CIHR’s procurement will be integrated throughout its activities, practices and processes.

Link to CIHR's PAA

CIHR’S Performance Measurements

Target: Green Procurement

Expected Result

Environmentally responsible acquisition of its goods and services, and of the use and disposal of its goods.

Green Procurement Target

By March 31, 2018, CIHR will continue to take action to integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes, controls and training that furthers the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement.

Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
CIHR’s internal procurement training, provided to Managers and Directors General, includes the roles and responsibilities relating to the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement. 100% of training sessions provided will mention roles and responsibilities in terms of 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 fiscal year 2017–18. 4 (100%)
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 2017–18. 2 (100%)
Strategies and/or Comments:
  • Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls;
  • Train procurement and materiel management functional specialists on green procurement; and
  • Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers.

Target: Sustainable Workplace Operations

Expected Result

Existence of organizational approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of workplace policies and practices

Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment Target

By March 31, 2018, CIHR will ensure to reuse or recycle all electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Reduce percentage of IT hardware (servers) that will be in use to meet the environmental criteria contained in the Security, Corporate and Information Services (PSPC) policy. 70%
Strategies and/or Comments:
  • Information technology (IT) hardware and software will be purchased to consolidate procurement instruments and meet the environmental criteria; and
  • Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage.

Printing Unit Reduction Target

By March 31, 2018, CIHR will ensure to reduce average ratio of office employees to printing units. The organization will apply the target where building occupancy levels, security considerations, and space configuration allow.

Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Ratio of CIHR employees to printing unit from 2016–17 fiscal year which is 2.7:1 10:1
Strategies and/or Comments:
  • CIHR is planning to decommission most of the personal printers, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow; and
  • Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e., printer ratios).

Paper Consumption Target

By March 31, 2018, CIHR will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee; will establish a baseline in 2017–18, and an applicable scope.

Performance Indicator Targeted performance level
Suppress the identification (banner) as a print page 100%
Improve existing paper usage by reducing internal paper consumption TBD*
Strategies and/or Comments:
  • Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e., paper usage); and
  • Reduce internal paper consumption by using security employee card, and green meetings.

* This is a new performance indicator and data was not collected previously.

3. Additional departmental sustainable development activities and initiatives

Not applicable

4. Sustainable development decision making

Not applicable

5. Strategic environmental assessment

Canadian Institutes of Health Research will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An 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 Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s assessments will be made public when an initiative 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.

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