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Green Procurement
Meeting Policy Requirements
Has the department incorporated environmental performance considerations in its procurement decision-making processes?
Yes
Summary of initiatives to incorporate environmental performance considerations in procurement decision-making processes:
Green Procurement has been a focus of federal greening efforts as reflected in the Green Procurement Policy, based on the approach that life-cycle management of assets begins with procurement. Integrating environmental performance into planning, acquisition, use and disposal can improve the purchasing of green products, reduce the in-use costs and impact, and ensure disposal is in accordance with environmental standards. Purchasing greener products, whether more energy efficient, less harmful or containing a higher percentage of recycled material, can make a significant impact. The government-wide guidance document on greening operations had specific suggestions for green procurement, green fleet and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. In support of the environmentally focused efforts being made by the department and the federal government as a whole, AAFC has placed significant focus on the need to "green" its departmental operations where possible. The department continues to explore greener options related to vehicle acquisition processeses, and has increased the number of ethonol blend rated and hybrid vehicles in the department's fleet. The departmental Procurement Review Board reviews all significant procurement activities and strives to incorporate environmental performance considerations where practical and feasible. The department also continues to educate clients on the importance of incorporating green elements into procurement requirements where feasible. For example, AAFC only approves a major cleaning-services contract if the client incorporates green initiatives into the Request for Proposal. The department is also actively engaged in seeking a means to promote and make mandatory the use of duplex printing to decrease paper consumption; it also considers duplex capability in its acquisition plans.
Results achieved:
AAFC has been successful in incorporating green elements into the procurement approval process. AAFC awarded seven contracts for cleaning services in 2008-09 (total value of $5.3 million), all of which incorporated the use of green products and practices where feasible.
Contributions to facilitate government-wide implementation of green procurement:
AAFC strives to share any success stories with other departments and welcomes any best practices that have been established. Members of the Asset Management Team attend various government-wide working groups and encourage government-wide implementation.
Green Procurement Targets
Has the department established green procurement targets?
Yes
Are these green procurement targets the same as those identified in your Sustainable Development Strategy?
Yes
Summary of green procurement targets:
AAFC has identified four green procurement targets, which are included in its Sustainable Development Strategy:
- Ongoing provision of green procurement training to the procurement community within AAFC, either through the TBS Professional Development and Certification Program or other green procurement course offerings.
Benefits: Improved awareness and application of the Green Procurement Policy. Through this awareness and knowledge, the procurement community can integrate green procurement practices in their areas of responsibility.
- Reduction of three per cent per year in paper consumption in its offices and facilities in the National Capital Region (NCR) through the increase in the number of duplex printers.
Benefits: Reduced paper usage has a direct and positive impact on the environment through energy savings and less waste.
- Inclusion of green technical specifications (use of green products and practices), where possible, in building cleaning contracts for facilities.
Benefits: Increased use of green products and practices has a direct and positive impact on the environment.
- 10 per cent annual increase in the number of duplex printers in
operation across the department.
Benefits: Assist the department in its goal to decrease paper consumption.
Results achieved:
AAFC has registered 110 staff as PMMRP (procurement, materiel management, real property) functional specialists. Of these individuals, 43 per cent have completed all training requirements, while 57 per cent require only one or two courses.
AAFC has met its paper-use reduction target with a decrease in paper consumption (# of sheets) by 24 per cent since the 2005 baseline year.
AAFC awarded seven contracts for cleaning services in 2008-09; all of which incorporated the use of green products and practices where feasible.
AAFC has 1005 printers enabled for duplex printing. AAFC is currently exploring the feasibility of setting the majority of its duplex printers to default for this function.