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Table 7: Green Procurement

Meeting Policy Requirements

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


In progress

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

In addition to using available mandatory standing offers, DFAIT is incorporating green procurement requirements into requests for contract and clauses on green procurement into the general conditions of its contracts.

DFAIT also launched Shop@DFAIT, a new intranet site for online purchasing of information technology hardware and software for Headquarters and missions, as well as a new and improved way of ordering office supplies for Headquarters. Products that are more environmental friendly are identified.

Based on the 2006 guidance document Coordinating the Fourth Round of Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies, DFAIT has incorporated green procurement commitments into its departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), Agenda 2009. Progress on those targets is monitored through DFAIT's Environmental Management System.

In addition to the training target in Agenda 2009, green procurement training was added to the learning road maps for mission consular officers and procurement personnel, who are encouraged to include this training in their performance management plans.

To maximize the use of resources, DFAIT implemented a program to reuse perfectly functional office supplies that are often left behind when offices are vacated. It is strongly suggested that employees select from these items, which are available at the front of our Central Stores. Surplus furniture resulting from offices that are vacated or retrofitted is inventoried, stored and reissued at no cost to our clients.

To further protect the environment, DFAIT also integrated a recovery program for used batteries into its operations. Employees can ensure proper disposal of used batteries simply by dropping them off in our Central Stores location.

Results achieved:

DFAIT has contributed to the protection of the environment and supports sustainable development by incorporating environmental performance considerations into its procurement decision-making processes.

DFAIT has demonstrated leadership and influenced the use of environmentally preferable goods, thus reducing negative impacts on the environment and conserving natural resources.

Contributions to facilitate government-wide implementation of green procurement:

N/A

Green Procurement Targets

Has the department established green procurement targets?


Yes

Green procurement targets were established as part of DFAIT's Sustainable Development Strategy, Agenda 2009, and are identified below

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

Yes. However, the description below provides further details with regard to the targets as reported in the 2007 progress report on Agenda 2009.

Adjustments to target 1A will be made through the Sustainable Development Strategy Annual Report, since DFAIT is tracking procurement through Shop@DFAIT.

Summary of green procurement targets:

  1. Identify three green procurement targets. These are:

    1. Develop a tracking system within the Integrated Management System (IMS) that will help track and report on green purchases made by the Department. The successful implementation of this initiative will allow DFAIT to track the green purchases made through this system on an annual basis.

    2. Ensure that environmental considerations are included in 100% of contracts and standing offers. The successful completion of this target will further ensure that environmental criteria are taken into consideration when the department contracts for goods and services.

    3. Reduce by 25% the total number of cordless mice purchased by March 31st, 2012, using 2008-09 as a baseline. The successful completion of this target will reduce the number of cordless mice used at the department, which will in turn reduce the number of batteries purchased, used and discarded.

  2. Ensure that 100% of materiel managers and procurement personnel receive green procurement training. The anticipated results associated with this target are that all materiel managers and procurement personnel will obtain a greater knowledge of green procurement, environmental impact will be reduced due to an increase in the purchase of greener products, and financial savings will be passed on to taxpayers.

Results achieved:

1A. To ensure the successful implementation of a tracking system at DFAIT, the Procurement, Materiel Management and Logistics Division developed and implemented the online ordering system Shop@DFAIT, which identifies green products with a green dot.

1B. A "green contracts" initiative is being implemented, which includes the development of environmental criteria that could be included in all contracts and standing offers.

1C. Data are currently being captured in order to set the 2008-09 baseline from which the implementation of this target will be measured.

2. To ensure that all materiel managers and procurement personnel attend green procurement training, the Procurement, Materiel Management and Logistics Division requires all materiel managers and procurement personnel to include green procurement training in their performance management plans. The required course is now available online.