2013-2014 Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

   1. Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development
  • The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16, (Opens in a New Window) tabled on November 4, 2013, guides the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDS). In keeping with the objectives of the FSDS, to make environmental decision–making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in this departmental strategy.
     
  • Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitments for Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government based on the 2010–13 FSDS.
   4. Theme IV: Implementation Strategies
Printing Unit Reduction Target
By March 31, 2013, each department will achieve an 8:1 average ratio of office employees to printing units. Departments will apply the target where building occupancy levels, security considerations, and space configuration allow. (Target 8.7 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target Status Achieved
Ratio of departmental office employees to
printing units in fiscal year 2010–11, where
building occupancy levels, security
considerations and space configuration
allow. (Optional)		 2.17:1
Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units at the end of the given fiscal year, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow. 8.2:1
Strategies / Comments
  1. Definition: Networked printers and multifunction devices
  2. Scope: To reduce reporting and simplify tracking of this target, the Board has scoped its building, space configurations and employees to achieve an average ratio of 8.2 : 1.
  3. Method used for determining number of printing units: Administrative Services Unit performed a manual count.
  4. Method used for determining # of office employees: GC HRMS PeopleSoft Workforce Administration Report
  5. Number of office employees subject to the target: 91 office employees
  6. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected: The Board achieved the target by March 31, 2014.
  7. Reporting requirements: Head of Administrative Services collects printing unit information annually.
  8. Roles and responsibilities: Head of Administrative Services is target lead.
  9. Plans for Engagement: Further meetings with the Director General and Management Team
Paper Consumption Target
By March 31, 2014, each department will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee by 20%. Each department will establish a baseline between 2005–06 and 2011–12, and an applicable scope. (Target 8.8 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Opportunity for improvement
Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per office employee in the selected baseline year, according to the departmental scope. 12,111
(in 2008-09)
Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per office employee in the selected baseline year, according to the departmental scope. 16%
Strategies / Comments
  1. Scope: The Board has elected to include all employees.
  2. Method used for determining paper consumption: Stock and Forms Inventory System Report.
  3. Method used for determining # of office employees: GC HRMS PeopleSoft Workforce Administration Report.
  4. Number of employees subject to the target: 104 employees.
  5. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected: The Board almost met the 20% reduction in paper consumption by March 31, 2014. As a result of improvements in hearing documents which increased the information prepared for veterans' cases, paper consumption did not fully meet the targeted reduction.
  6. Reporting requirements: Head of Administrative Services collects PWGSC standing offer information annually.
  7. Roles and responsibilities: Head of Administrative Services is target lead.
  8. Plans for engagement: Procurement personnel and acquisition card holders are now required to purchase paper off the PWGSC standing offers only.
Green Meetings Target
By March 31, 2012, each department will adopt a guide for greening meetings.
(Target 8.9 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status Achieved
Presence of a green meetings guide Adopted 31 March 2012
Strategies / Comments
  1. Scope of the green meeting guide: All Board meetings held with at least ten participants.
  2. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected: The Board has adopted a green meetings guide.
  3. Reporting requirement: Our Administrative Services Unit is responsible for implementing the green meetings guide and monitoring its use.
  4. Evidence that the green meetings guide has been adopted: Reduction in paper consumption and increased use of video-conferencing or teleconferencing to reduce travel.
  5. Roles and responsibilities: Head of Administrative Services is target lead.
  6. Key components: Planning, travel / accommodations, procurement / hospitality, and tracking / accountability.
  7. Opportunities for continuous improvement: Opportunities for improvement are continuously sought; however, it can be challenging to monitor the use of the guide. There are ongoing efforts to educate and put more onus on meeting organizers.
  8. Mechanisms to evaluate: In order to help determine the level of adoption and effectiveness of this guide, the Administrative Services Unit endeavors to monitor its use and efficiency. Because of the level of difficulty of effectively monitoring the greening of small day-to-day office meetings, efforts will focus on monitoring regular or formalized meetings, as well as less frequent medium and large meetings and events. Key large meetings such as training events, all-staff meetings and staff functions will be targeted and evaluated each year for extent of greening. Organizers of large events and meetings are requested to report on the efforts they have made to green their meetings using the Green Meetings Organizer Checklist. Checklists for targeted meetings are to be provided to the Administrative Services Unit.
  9. Plans for engagement: Board Policy mandating use, email dissemination, discussions at management committee, ongoing communications and monitoring.
  7. Strategic Environmental Assessment
During 2013–14, none of the initiatives undertaken by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board were subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. (Opens in a New Window.)
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