ARCHIVED - Human Resources and Social Development Canada

Has the department incorporated environmental performance considerations in its procurement decision-making processes?

Yes

the Departmental procurement processes are based on achieving value-for-money while leveraging procurement to achieve broader social, economic and environmental outcomes. This includes meeting the various federal social, economic and environmental policies, such as PWGSC's Policy on Green Procurement. Departmental purchasing patterns for key commodities essential to operations are assessed using key standards to support sustainable development.

Summary of initiatives to incorporate environmental performance considerations in procurement decision-making processes:

Electronic-based Green Procurement processes through HRSDC’s Purchasing Portal and promotion of appropriate use of the Acquisition Card are important parts of the department's green operations commitments. This work is reducing the environmental footprint of paper-based transactions particularly for thousands of low dollar value transactions, HRSDC has increased its use of acquisition cards by some 22,000 transactions. To promote the increased use of the Acquisition Card where appropriate, the departmental purchasing system uses a “pop-up” screen to remind employees to consider using the Acquisition Card where appropriate for all transactions with a dollar value < $5k. Thus, eliminating the paper based transaction generated through the system and improving the efficiency and costs associated with the low dollar value procurements.

The Department is also raising the awareness and understanding of green procurement through training and communications. Functional specialists receive training through courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service, and administrative assistants and managers receive information through departmental awareness sessions. A green procurement information/job aid is being added to the departmental Purchasing Portal and departmental employees receive information through the HRSDC and Service Canada Intranet sites.

And as well, departmental purchasing is subject to the use of mandatory standing offers established by PWGSC, work continues with PWGSC commodity councils to identify opportunities where expansion in the type and number of "green" items available can be leveraged. As these become available, appropriate communications strategies and tools, including the Purchasing Portal, actively promotes their use.

Results achieved:

Over the past 3 years, HRSDC has increased the number of Acquisition Card transactions by approximately 22,000 which represents a total dollar value of approximately $14m. Thus, demonstrating HRSDC’s achievements in reducing the number of paper based transactions in support of Green Procurement initiatives.

In fiscal year 2008/2009, HRSDC conducted 25 awareness sessions in the department. Including promoting Sustainable Development/Green Procurement and green tools like the Acquisition Card.

Contributions to facilitate government-wide implementation of green procurement:

HRSDC is a member of the Green Procurement Form coordinated by the Office of Greening Government Operations within Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). In this way, HRSDC remains current on government wide initiatives.

Has the department established green procurement targets?

In progress

Are these green procurement targets the same as those identified in your Sustainable Development Strategy (Table 6)?

Yes

Summary of green procurement targets:

The department is seeking 100% target of paper purchasing for major operations. It will establish further targets for other key areas on an ongoing basis based on major asset plans.

Awareness sessions will continue in fiscal year 2009/2010 to support the departmental wide distribution of Green Procurement information.

The department will continue to promote the Acquisition Card as a green tool and Purchasing Portal eliminating paper-based.

The department will target full alignment with all available green standing offers from PWGSC.