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Table 6: Green Procurement


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.

Electronic-based Green Procurement processes through Service Canada's Purchasing Portal are also an important part of the department's green operations commitments by reducing the environmental footprint of paper-based transactions particularly for thousands of low dollar value transactions.

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 be added to the departmental Purchasing Portal and departmental employees will receive information through the Service Canada Intranet site and Info Service communiqués.

As well, since 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, will ensure their appropriate use.
Baseline data is currently being compiled to support the establishment of realistic targets that will reflect the buying patterns and current procurement processes supported across the department, aligned with procurement tools from PWGSC as they become available. Targets will include elements such as types and quantities of products purchased, as well as the promotion of environmentally responsible tools and processes used to support various types of procurement transactions. The number of employees receiving training and awareness related to green procurement are also considered.

More specifically, the department, through promotion of appropriate use of the Acquisition Card and the Purchasing Portal will decrease paper-based transactions and improve the efficiency and costs associated with low dollar value procurement.

In establishing firm targets that encourage green procurement, however, the department is constrained by what is currently available through the use of mandatory standing offers from PWGSC.