3.3 Sustainability Practices and Operations within Industry Canada

Sustainable development strategic outcome: Increased implementation of greening operations and practices, and integration of sustainable development principles into departmental planning, performance measurement and evaluation frameworks

In order for Industry Canada to credibly encourage the use of sustainability practices within Canadian industry, it is important that the Department continues to ensure that its internal operations are managed sustainably. Industry Canada has, therefore, strived for continuous improvement in the sustainability of its operations. It has also made considerable progress in recent years in integrating sustainable development principles into its policy, planning, program and evaluation strategies and in its senior management decision-making processes. For instance, its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process is an important aspect of using a sustainable development management systems approach to improving policy capacity. In addition, employees have been provided training in sustainable development and awareness-raising programs in an effort to encourage the development of a culture of sustainability. These activities also increase the overall sustainability knowledge capacity of the Department.

Industry Canada's "3Rs" Program Industry Canada continues efforts to further green its internal operations and create an eco-friendly workplace through its "3Rs" program: Reduce: Cut down on office consumables, use double-sided printing and photocopying, encourage sustainable transportation (Eco-Pass, Green Hotels) and reduce solid waste. Re-use: Re-use office consumables, including toner cartridges for laser printers. Recycle: Recycling should include batteries, toner and ink cartridges, mixed paper, clear glass, metals, plastic and composting. The recycling program will be strengthened to address the disposal of small office items that contain metals (e.g., BlackBerrys, cell phones, label makers).

The Department will respond to two important government-wide initiatives related to its sustainability operations and practices: the 2004 amended SEA guidelines and the 2006 federal Green Procurement Policy (and associated Public Works and Government Services Canada Guidance on Greening Government Operations).

Six action plan items are intended to achieve this strategic outcome. Details on each are provided below.

Greening Operations

Industry Canada is committed to reducing resource consumption and waste in its operations. It has a comprehensive greening operations plan in place that is continuously improved, and which is consistent with the government-wide priorities regarding building and vehicle fleet operations.

The 2006 federal Green Procurement Policy requests that departmental sustainable development strategies report on actions concerning three specific outcomes: (1) green procurement targets for 40 key commodities representing 90 percent of the government's purchases; (2) the executive vehicle fleet retooled to exclude cars over three years old unless they are four-cylinder, hybrid or e-85 (ethanol-powered) vehicles; and (3) five new federal buildings that will meet leading building standards and an energy assessment conducted for all existing buildings. Industry Canada will contribute, as appropriate, to these government-wide goals and improve other aspects of its greening operations programming.

Action Plan Item
Supports Federal Sustainable Environmental Quality Goal: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Industry Canada will continue to promote the greening of its operations in the following key areas: efficient energy consumption in buildings to reduce GHG emissions green procurement and fleet management to decrease GHG emissions waste management to reduce the negative impacts of landfill sites land-use management to control environmental risk regulatory compliance to manage environmental regulatory obligations green stewardship to build employee awareness and engagement Responsibility:  Facilities Management Branch

Expected Three-Year Results Reduced energy consumption, reduced material sent to landfill, increased use of recycled material and reduced use of consumables Improved awareness among Industry Canada employees of environmental practices and increased purchases of environmentally efficient products Achievement of full compliance with environmental regulations

Performance Indicators Reduced GHG emissions and building energy consumption, increased fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet and reduced costs, collection of recycled products, and fewer products sent to landfill Level of feedback from purchasing agents Number of employees reached through greening initiatives and number of visits to the greening operations website Documented evidence of regulatory compliance information

Renewed Strategic Environmental Assessment

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) provides information on potential and anticipated environmental effects of a policy, plan or program, and plays an important role in enhancing the sustainability of an initiative. SEA requirements are detailed in the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. In 2004, the Cabinet Directive was amended to include the publication of public statements when a detailed SEA is conducted.

Industry Canada has an SEA process in place that has been audited and rated as “satisfactory” by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD). However, the CESD's 2004 audit report and a subsequent Industry Canada internal review both suggested that improvements to the Department’s SEA regime were warranted. Consequently, Industry Canada is revisiting its SEA regime to make improvements so that it is in full compliance with the Cabinet Directive. Industry Canada will also enhance its SEA regime by improving its SEA guidance, questionnaire and training. In addition, the Department will include preparation and publication of public statements in its SEA processes and make its SEA website publicly accessible. The website will include Industry Canada’s SEA questionnaire, training materials and other useful guidance. Taken together, these changes will increase transparency and accountability of decision making with respect to the environmental impacts of Industry Canada’s policies, plans and programs.

Action Plan Item
Supports Federal Sustainable Development Management Goal: Strengthened Federal Governance and Decision Making to Support Sustainable Development

Industry Canada will improve and update its SEA regime by incorporating public statements into it, and by amending its guidance, questionnaire, tracking system and training materials. Responsibility: Strategic Policy Branch (SD website)
Expected Three-Year Results Fulfillment of Industry Canada administrative and operational obligations required by the Cabinet directive Increased quality of all SEAs completed by Industry Canada Greater understanding by officers of the potential environmental impacts of policies and programs Improved communication with the public	Performance Indicators Number of satisfied users with the renewed SEA approach Number of participants at SEA-related courses and number of satisfied participants Number of visits to the public stakeholder interest section of Industry Canada's publicly accessible SEA website

Sustainable Development Senior Management Champions

Industry Canada will reinforce efforts to build sustainable development capacity and encourage a culture of sustainability within the Department. This action item involves further integrating sustainable development principles into policy, planning, programs and decision making. Industry Canada's sustainable development management frameworks for planning, performance measurement, reporting and evaluation have become well established within departmental processes and systems. The Department plans to further reinforce these efforts through a range of improved strategic planning and management activities. For instance, the Department will explore options for integrating sustainable development into senior management performance agreements. Senior management will also be encouraged to seek opportunities to promote sustainable development principles and practices to external stakeholders and partners, such as individual firms, industry associations and consumer groups.

Action Plan Item
Supports Federal Sustainable Development Management Goal: Strengthened Federal Governance and Decision Making to Support Sustainable Development

Industry Canada will name senior management champions to continue to further integrate sustainable development into the Department's Program Activity Architecture and improve its performance measurement and reporting system. Responsibility:  Strategic Policy Branch, and Service and Industries and Consumer Products Branch
Expected Three-Year Results Sustainable development is integrated into Industry Canada's Program Activity Architecture (Report on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Report) Increased sustainable development knowledge, awareness and collaboration between the Department and its stakeholders/partners	Performance Indicators Number of branches within Industry Canada that are integrating sustainability into their planning and reporting practices Number of consultations with Industry Canada stakeholders/partners Number of senior management champions designated Number of initiatives undertaken that are supported by senior management

Sustainable Development Awareness, Training and Employee Challenge

Industry Canada has a responsibility, based on its legislative mandate and policy agenda, to promote sustainable development to management and employees. Greater awareness of sustainable development tools and practices will help support the development and adoption of policies, programs and initiatives that incorporate sustainable development principles and practices. Promotional efforts within the Department through its sustainable development website, its internal communications products, and the preparation of specific industry case studies will help inform and engage discussion of the Department's continuing role in this policy field.

Action Plan Item
Supports Federal Sustainable Development Management Goal: Strengthened Federal Governance and Decision Making to Support Sustainable Development

Industry Canada will develop and coordinate initiatives to raise awareness, increase understanding and improve the overall integration of sustainable development into its operations. These initiatives will include: creating inventories of research and best practices coordinating seminars and courses contributing to consumer awareness and eco-efficient supplier activities managing a sustainable development employee challenge initiative Responsibility:  Strategic Policy Branch

Expected Three-Year Result Increased capacity within Industry Canada to fully integrate sustainable development into all programs, policies and plans

Performance Indicators Number of sustainable development-related research studies undertaken Number of sustainable development articles in This Week @ IC Number of participants in sustainable development courses and seminars Number of employees that carpool to work Number of employees that select accommodations that have an Eco-Rating

The Department will continue to offer a sustainable development course for employees and offer further learning opportunities for management. It will also work in partnership with other federal departments and the Canada School of Public Service to support the delivery of federal training materials in sustainable development.

Industry Canada will also challenge employees to contribute to reducing GHG emissions and air pollution by carpooling and using public transit. They will also be encouraged to select accommodations with an Eco-Rating when travelling on government business.⁸

Telework and Sustainable Development

The 2002 Public Service Employee Survey reported that only 5 percent of government employees benefit from telework arrangements. The federal government has had a telework policy in place since December 1999, but it is clearly underutilized. On average, Canadians spend 12 days per year (275 hours) commuting to work, which is a daily average of 63 minutes, up from 54 minutes in 1992. The average transit user takes 106 minutes to get to work and home, up from 94 minutes in 1992. Increased energy prices and congested roads support the call for a re-examination of telework as a commuting option. Telework provides a number of advantages for employers and employees, from improving work–life balance to reducing office space requirements. It also helps to reduce GHG emissions, alleviate pressures on urban infrastructure, and supports a healthier society, providing employees with more personal time and work flexibility. The Department will examine the possible use of information technology options to ensure employees can telework more efficiently. Industry Canada will support and promote telework by raising awareness of employees and managers on the benefits of teleworking.

Action Plan Item

Industry Canada will raise awareness and build managerial support for more teleworking among employees. Responsibility: Strategic Policy Branch, and Service Industries and Consumer Products Branch SD website
Expected Three-Year Result Greater utilization of telework by Industry Canada employees	Performance Indicators Number of Industry Canada employees teleworking Amount of GHG emissions reduced and kilometres not travelled

Mid-Term Evaluation of Sustainable Development Strategy 2006–09

Industry Canada will perform a mid-term evaluation of its SDS IV in fiscal year 2007–08. This will provide management with an analysis of the Strategy's strengths and weaknesses, lessons learned, and potential areas of interest for Industry Canada’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2009–12.

The study will focus on the SDS's rationale, results to date and cost-effectiveness. It will be conducted over the course of approximately five months, and will include interviews and surveys with stakeholders, analysis and reporting. The report will be published and posted on Industry Canada’s sustainable development website.

Action Plan Item

In fiscal year 2007–08, Industry Canada will conduct a mid-term evaluation of SDS IV , which will examine its rationale, results to date, the cost-effectiveness of SDS IV , and will provide an update on SDS III. The findings will be used when preparing the Department's SDS V. Responsibility:  Audit and Evaluation Branch
Expected Three-Year Result Enhanced Industry Canada capacity and stakeholder engagement to prepare SDS V	Performance Indicator Departmental Audit and Evaluation Committee approval of the SDS IV mid-term evaluation report and the management response

---

8. Eco-Rating programs are voluntary, graduated rating systems designed to identify accommodations that are committed to improving their fiscal, environmental and social performance.