Policy on Green Procurement

Objective

It is the objective of this policy to advance the protection of the environment and support sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process.

Expected results

The expected results of this policy are:

• contribution to environmental objectives, such as:
  • reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants;
  • improving energy and water efficiency;
  • reducing ozone depleting substances;
  • reducing waste and supporting reuse and recycling;
  • reducing hazardous waste;
  • reducing toxic and hazardous chemicals and substances; and
  • supporting biodiversity
• lever the purchasing power of the federal government to achieve economies of scale in the acquisition of environmentally preferable goods and services, thereby reducing the cost for government and strengthening greener markets and industries;
• result in more environmentally responsible planning, acquisition, use and disposal practices in the federal government;
• support a healthier healthy working environmentworkplace for employees and for citizens in general through the purchase of environmentally preferable goods and services; and
• a federal government that is resilient to climate change.

Policy Requirements

• 7.1 Deputy heads are required to ensure that the objectives of green procurement are realized while maintaining compliance with all legislative, regulatory and policy obligations.
• 7.2 Deputy heads are accountable to ensure their management control frameworks incorporate environmental considerations: from procurement planning, identification and definition of requirements, acquisition, operation and maintenance of assets, to disposal of goods or closure activities of services.Specifically, Deputy heads are accountable to:
  • 7.2.1 Integrate environmental stewardship and life-cycle principles in procurement planning and practices, including the government’s supply chain;
  • 7.2.2 Establish management processes and controls to identify environmental risks and mitigation and adaptation strategies, as appropriate;
  • 7.2.3 Set green procurement targets tailored to reflect mandates, departmental buying patterns, as well as the nature and risks associated with the assets and services used to support the achievement of program objectives;
  • 7.2.4 Buy environmentally preferable goods and services where value for money is demonstrated (i.e. appropriate balance of many factors, such as cost, performance, availability, quality, and environmental performance) and meet green procurement targets;
  • 7.2.5 Ensure that officials in key management, procurement, materiel and asset management, and oversight positions, have the necessary training to support the objectives of the policy;
  • 7.2.6 Include the contribution and support for the green procurement policy objectives in the performance evaluations of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel, as appropriate; and
  • 7.2.7 Monitor and report on green procurement performance through the annual Departmental Plan, the Departmental Results Report or the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
• 7.3 Deputy heads will contribute scientific, technical and environmental expertise where possible to support the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in its lead role in ensuring the implementation of this policy and PWGSC in the development of procurement or materiel strategies and instruments.