Section 1: Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Although the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS) is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, the CICS adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (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 CICS 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 3.

Section 2: Sustainable Development in the Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat

CICS supports federal, provincial and territorial governments in the planning and conduct of senior level intergovernmental conferences held across Canada, which is a critical component of the workings of the Canadian federation. The interests of all Canadians are represented by their elected governments participating in these intergovernmental conferences.
As an institution dedicated to supporting events that give rise to, and support the spirit of cooperation and negotiation among governments, CICS seeks to execute its role to maximum effect, creating an environment conducive to productive discourse and optimal decision-making and promoting a sustainable development culture, to the benefit of all Canadians.
The CICS is a small organization of about 32 people. All of our employees are located at our headquarters in Ottawa. The focus of the CICS’s Sustainable Development Strategy is to take small but effective steps to contribute to the greening of government.


Section 3: Commitments for the CICS

FSDS goal: low-carbon government

Low-Carbon Government FSDS target

FSDS contributing action(s)

 

Action(s)

Contribution to the FSDS goal and target

 

Performance indicators

Core Responsibilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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

 

 

 

Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain.

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014.
Targeted Performance Level : March 31, 2019
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.
Number: 1; Percentage: 100%
Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in the given fiscal year.
Number: 1; Percentage: 100%

 

 

Intergovernmental Conference Services

Management Processes and Controls

CICS will maximize the use of PWGSC procurement instruments such as standing offers and supply arrangements. CICS will continue to review and update internal processes and controls in order to integrate environmental considerations.
Targeted Performance Level : 75%

Intergovernmental Conference Services

Ensure all those with procurement responsibilities have the necessary Training

CICS has ensured that all staff with procurement responsibilities completed the CSPS course C215. CICS will also require that all new staff with procurement responsibilities complete the course within three months of being hired.
Targeted Performance Level : 90%

 

Performance Evaluations

CICS will ensure that an objective to include environmental considerations in procurement activities is integrated into individual performance evaluations.
Targeted Performance Level : 2

Intergovernmental Conference Services


Section 4: Integrating Sustainable Development

Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement
Support clean technologies and green products and services by taking environmental considerations into account in our purchasing decisions. Our approach is to continue leveraging instruments established by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) designed to meet federal government green procurement standards.

Reduce our office space and Workplace 2.0
Collaborated with Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to reduce office space, as mandated by Blueprint 2020. Hence, when the office required a lease renewal, it underwent a Workplace 2.0 Fit-up. The latter entails a much smaller area with a more open and bright workspace by constructing less walls and by locating offices and meeting rooms along the core – away from perimeter windows. As a result, the space gained better natural light and air circulation for all occupants. In turn, this reduces the workload on the buildings’ heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Less walls, smaller workstations and enclosed offices, a lower usage of HVAC, and a reduced overall footprint bring benefits both, the environment and long term costs.

Reduce, reuse and recycle
The CICS has sets its multi-function devices’ to double-sided and black and white printing as the default standard. Purchased paper and toners contain recycled materials. Empty toner cartridges are also re-cycled. The CICS is considering creating an inventory of surplus items for re-use internally. Currently, old computers are sent to Computers for Schools while other surplus items are sent to GC Surplus.
Control printing with card access has been added to most multi-function devices at Headquarter, thus enabling the monitoring of printing activities and the reporting of paper utilization and color printing.

Promote responsible disposal
The CICS continues to ensure that surplus electronic and electrical waste (e.g., batteries, networking equipment, and electrical wiring) are handled in an environmentally appropriate manner.

Going Paperless
The CICS is using technology to encourage a paperless environment: smart boards and Bring your own devices (BYOD) connected to WiFi. Finance and Procurement plan to eliminate the use of paper files and accept electric signatures.