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Table 8 Sustainable Development
The commitments in the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Sustainable Development (SD)
Strategy for 2007-2010 are implemented through specific activities. The following tables provides a brief summary of
the progress made against those activities that were scheduled for completion during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
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Activities scheduled for completion in 2008-2009 that contributed
to the Federal SD Goal(s) and/or Green Government Operations
(GGO) Government-wide Target(s)[Footnote 1] below are noted explicitly in the “Department’s Expected Results”
column.
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The CRA developed
a methodology to convert solid waste diversion rates into GHG
emissions. Based on the 2007 solid waste audit results, the CRA
avoided the generation of approximately 2,000 tonnes of Co2 equivalents by diverting 2,700 tonnes of solid
waste from landfill. Further analysis determined that the general methodology was suitable for application
to the next round of solid waste audits that is scheduled in 2009-2010.
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Within CRA facilities,
reduction and reuse programs include the Second Life Paper program, recycling centres for office supplies,
reusable mugs, green meetings, and green office moves. In order to formalize these activities, the
CRA developed a Reduction & Reuse toolkit. The toolkit,
which will be completed in 2009-2010, will assist employees to measure results from reduction and reuse
programs. In the meantime, the Agency continued to provide employees with information to implement these
initiatives.
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The draft management plan to green the procurement of Information
Technology (IT) equipment was finalized during the period. The Agency incorporated environmental criteria
into the CRA national contract for end-user devices (laptops,
desktops, servers and monitors). The environmental criteria include the requirement that end-user devices
meet an internationally recognized green certification program for IT equipment. The management program
for green procurement for 2009-2010 also included the greening of IT hardware equipment.
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The Agency introduced a new electronic-procurement tool, Synergy.
The tool is an integrated suite of software applications specifically designed to automate the purchasing
process. It enables the Agency to eliminate duplication, reduce administrative and paper burdens, increase
process efficiencies; and allows for better tracking of green procurement performance.
Internal collaboration ensured that green products that are available
within Synergy are identified and labelled; and that its reporting capacity meets the Agency's green procurement
reporting requirements. An added benefit is Synergy's improved accessibility to timely reporting. Analysis
is ongoing to estimate paper savings resulting from these efficiencies.
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The Agency conducted a scan of
CRA, industry, and other government departmental practices
related to the procurement of services. A standard definition for green services was developed, along with
criteria for identifying and procuring green services. The report is being used as a tool to green
CRA service contracts.
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1. General communications on sustainable business travel:
The CRA updated the Transportation section within the
SD Website to include information on videoconferencing,
teleconferencing, and the sustainable travel provisions contained in the
CRA Travel Policy.
2. Promotion of the Sustainable Business Travel (SBT) course: The
SBT course was finalized, and an implementation plan
drafted. The plan outlines a structured approach for delivering the course to frequent travellers within
the Agency.
There were 1,361 hits on the Business Travel Web page and 2,977 hits
on the main Transportation Web page on the SD Website
by CRA employees during 2008-2009.
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During the period, the CRA
acquired ten vehicles. Five were alternative transportation fuel (ATF) capable, and the other five were
conventional fuel vehicles due to operational requirements. On March 31, 2009, the
CRA owned/leased 94 vehicles - 13 (14%) were hybrids and
27 (29%) were ATF capable.
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The Agency finalized the draft
CRA Fleet Manager's Handbook, and
CRA Fleet Directives and Procedures. Both policy instruments
promote the use of Ethanol-10 fuel in CRA fleet vehicles,
where feasible.
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The Agency selected six facilities to implement energy conservation
initiatives. To establish a baseline measure of energy use for each facility, the Agency conducted equipment
inventories in five of the six facilities. The remaining inventory will be completed in early 2009. Further
analysis of the inventories is required to establish the energy use baselines.
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The CRA liaised
with PWGSC's Office of Greening
of Government Operations (OGGO),
as they lead the interdepartmental effort to streamline the environmentally responsible disposal of electronic
waste. The plans include enhancements to federal programs for recycling and disposal of electronic waste
such as Computers for Schools, and Crown Assets disposal centres. The Agency will conduct a more detailed
review of its IT disposal practices in 2009-2010 to better inform its management plan for IT hardware and
software disposal.
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[Footnote 1] As referenced in the document
Coordinating the Fourth Round of Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies, June 2006.