Activity 1.1.1.1: Develop a methodology for estimating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from waste management programs at priority facilities.

Due Date: B/F from March 31, 2008

The CRA developed a methodology to translate solid waste diversion rates into GHG emissions. The results showed that in 2007, the No Waste Program at the CRA avoided the generation of over 2,000 tonnes of Co2 Equivalents. Further analysis determined that the general methodology was suitable for application to future solid waste audits.

Activity 1.1.1.2: Implement the No Waste program in additional priority facilities representing a total of 75% of CRA employees (FTE).

Due Date: March 31, 2009

The CRA identified an additional 20 facilities for implementation of the No Waste Program. Implementation involved acquiring recycling bins, installing recycling stations, consulting stakeholders and communicating to employees.

Activity 1.1.1.3: Implement reduction and reuse programs at priority facilities, such as green meetings, office moves, paper reduction, and reusable mugs.

Due Date: Annual

Optimal recycling programs incorporate reduction and reuse activities. Within CRA facilities, these activities include the Second Life Paper program, recycling centres for office supplies, reusable mugs, green meetings, and green office move. The Agency continued to provide employees with information to implement these initiatives. Work will ensue to formalize a green office toolkit for employees

The draft management plan to green the procurement of Information Technology (IT) equipment was finalized during the period. It includes analysis of hardware and software components, and identified areas for SD intervention. The plan is used to inform the annual plan for green procurement at the CRA. During the period, the Agency incorporated environmental criteria into the CRA national contract for end-user devices (laptops, desktops, servers, monitors). The E-criteria require end-user devices to meet certain green criteria established by a third party.

*Activity 1.1.2.3: Review and improve the efficiency of the CRA procurement process when working with suppliers, such as the bidding process, ordering systems, e-capabilities, green procurement tracking, and any new contracting tools.

Due Date: March 31, 2009

Activity 1.1.2.4: Explore opportunities to green services procured by the CRA.

Due Date: March 31, 2009

The Agency conducted a scan of CRA, other government departments and Industry practices related to the procurement of services. From this, a standard definition and criteria for identifying and procuring green services were developed. The report will be used as a tool for ongoing greening of CRA service contracts. During the period, the criteria were incorporated into the national service contract for translation services.

*Activity 1.1.4.1: Establish an emissions (GHG) baseline for business travel to include local and long-distance travel and videoconferencing.

Due Date: B/F from March 31, 2008
[ Federal Goal 3: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.]

In 2007-2008, the Agency identified data pertinent to developing a greenhouse gas (GHG) baseline for CRA business travel. Though we advanced the data analysis, due to staff turnover and competing priorities, the analysis was not completed as planned.

Activity 1.1.4.3: Communicate best practices for sustainable business travel to priority employee groups, such as frequent travellers and travels administrators at the CRA.

Due Date: March 31, 2009
[ Federal Goal 3: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.]

The Agency sought to promote sustainable business travel to employees through:
1. General communications on sustainable business travel: The CRA prepared communication materials for employees on best practices for sustainable business travel. These included new content for the Transportation section of the SD Website. The Website provided:

• Links to tools such as a GHG emissions calculator and a trip planning tool; information on road conditions, and the PWGSC Accommodation and Car Rental Directory;
• Instructions and templates for creating posters to promote public transit, videoconferencing, and teleconferencing ; and
• Information on sustainable travel provisions contained in the CRA Travel Policy.

The communications materials were provided to SD Coordinators for release to frequent travel employees in their respective areas.

2. Promotion of the Sustainable Business Travel (SBT) course: The SBT course was finalized, and an implementation plan drafted. The plan outlines the approach and communications materials that will be communicated to the various employee groups that travel frequently.

Further work is required in 2009-2010 to complete the identification of frequent traveller groups, and to communicate.

*Activity 1.1.5.1: All vehicles purchased/leased by the CRA are either hybrid or alternative fuel capable, where operationally feasible.

Due Date: Annual
[Federal Goal 3/G GO Target: Reduce by 15% from 2002-2003 levels, GHG emissions per vehicle kilometre from the departmental fleet by 2010.]

One of the objectives of fleet management at the CRA is to reduce pollution and comply with federal policies and legislations such as the Alternative Fuels Act [Footnote 9]. At the beginning of the period, the CRA owned and leased a total of 95 vehicles. Ten vehicles were acquired during the year. Five were conventional fuel vehicles due to operational requirements, and five were alternative transportation fuel (ATF) vehicles. No hybrid vehicles were acquired during the period. By March 31, 2009, the CRA owned/leased 94 vehicles. Of that number, 13 vehicles (14%) were hybrids, and 27 vehicles (29%) were ATF vehicles).

*Activity 1.1.5.2: All gasoline purchased for CRA road vehicles will be ethanol blended, where available.

Due Date: Annual
Federal Goal 3/G GO Target: All gasoline purchased for federal road vehicles will be ethanol blended, where available (timeline - immediate.]

The Agency finalized the draft CRA Fleet Manager's Handbook, and CRA's Fleet Directives and Procedures in 2008-2009. Both policy instruments promote the use of Ethanol-10 fuel, as feasible, for CRA fleet vehicles.

*Activity 1.1.6.2: Identify priority facilities, such as Crown-owned facilities where the CRA is the sole tenant and where the service provider can measure building energy use, establish an energy use baseline and emissions (GHG) baseline.

Due Date: March 31, 2009
[Federal Goal 3/G GO Target: Tenant departments and agencies will work with their facilities' provider to establish meaningful targets and the means to measure the reduction of GHG emissions by 2010.]

The systematic promotion of energy conservation initiatives is a new environmental aspect at the CRA. With a management program for energy developed in 2007-2008; the CRA identified selected facilities in which to baseline energy use, promote conservation initiatives, and measure impact. Given that CRA does not own its facilities, energy conservation initiatives will be focused on encouraging employees to minimize the energy used by office fixtures and equipment. Six facilities were selected Agency wide - covering each region, as well as the CRA Headquarters. The selections were based on facility profiles as well as feedback from the SD Network and other stakeholders.

At the end of the period, the Agency conducted equipment inventories in five of the six priority facilities. The remaining inventory will be completed in early 2009. Further analysis of the inventories is required to complete the energy baselines.

*Activity 1.1.6.3: Implement energy reduction initiatives in priority facilities, in coordination with the landlord, service provider, real property, sustainable development, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.

Due Date: March 31, 2009
[ Federal Goal 3/G GO Target: Tenant departments and agencies will work with their facilities' provider to establish meaningful targets and the means to measure the reduction of GHG emissions by 2010.]

The implementation of energy conservation initiatives was delayed as worked focused on establishing the energy baselines. The Agency however advanced internal consultations to prepare for the implementation of energy conservation initiatives, mainly as they relate to the energy used by computers and monitors. Consultations also included facilities management and unions. Some of the proposed interventions include programming various pieces of office equipment to "sleep mode" if inactive for a certain period of time; and posting reminders for employees to turn off energy-consuming equipment when not in use.

Activity 1.2.1.1: Complete an assessment of IT hardware and software disposal practices across the CRA and use results to expand the scope of the environmental management program (EMP) for hazardous materials.

Due Date: March 31, 2009

The CRA liaised with the PWGSC Office of Greening of Government Operations (OGGO), as they lead the interdepartmental effort to streamline the disposal of electronic-waste. The plans include enhancement of federal programs for recycling and disposal of electronic waste such as Computers for Schools program, 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.

Consultations with PWGSC confirmed that the requirement to use non-toxic cleaning products in CRA facilities was included in the CRA Standard Lease with PWGSC.

Activity 2.2.1.1: Integrate sustainability criteria into new key federal/provincial partnerships, where appropriate.

Due Date: Annual

The Agency promoted the use of sustainability criteria for developing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Letters of Intent (LOIs). To provide guidance on this requirement, a policy paper on SD was drafted

Activity 2.2.1.2: Promote the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) to ensure that eligible Canadians are aware of the assistance that can be obtained through the program; and provide program volunteers and community associations with the necessary software/computers to assist individuals to file their tax returns electronically.

Due Date: Annual

The CRA continued to leverage technology to reduce the paper burden and increase process efficiencies of the volunteers who help taxpayers during the tax filing season.

*Activity 2.2.1.3: Contribute to economic development in Canada and abroad by holding a leadership position within organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and sharing information with partners on better tax administration, encouraging better economic practices, working with partners to develop internationally accepted tax rules, and managing and coordinating technical assistance projects in different countries.

Due Date: Annual
[ Federal Goal 4: Sustainable Communities - Communities enjoy a prosperous economy, a vibrant and equitable society, and a healthy environment for current and future generations.]

As a world recognized leader in tax and benefits administration, the CRA manages ongoing multilateral relations with regional and international tax organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Inter-American Center of Tax administrations (CIAT), Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), Centre de rencontres et d'études des dirigeants des administrations fiscales (CREDAF) and International Tax Dialogue (ITD). We also manage ongoing bilateral relations with foreign tax administrations through the exchange of best practices, the delivery of capacity building projects, and hosting of foreign delegations.

Activity 2.3.1.1: Integrate principles of sustainable development, such as innovation and efficiency, into the CRA's marketing and/or branding strategies, and advertising campaigns.

Due Date: B/F from March 31, 2008

The CRA developed corporate messages, as part of its brand, to equip employees to deliver clear and consistent messaging to both internal and external audiences when conducting CRA business. SD messages were developed, as part of the corporate messages to communicate the CRA commitment to SD. They were included in the Brand toolbox on the CRA Intranet. SD Coordinators were provided with tips for promoting the SD messages in their respective branches and regions.

Activity 3.1.1.1: Include meaningful and measurable SD expectations in the guidelines for preparing performance agreements for EC and MG management levels.

Due Date: Annual

A total of 97% of ECs included SD clauses in their performance agreements - surpassing the March 2010 target of 90%. The results showed that71% of MGs included SD clauses in their performance expectations compared to 43% in 2007-2008.
Promotion of the SD clauses to ECs and MGs will continue in 2009-2010.

Activity 3.1.1.2: Continue to develop and deliver job-specific SD training for MG managers.

Due Date: Annual

The CRA continued to provide SD learning to the CRA Management Group (MG) via the Management Group Learning Program (MGLP). The purpose is to enhance the capacity of managers to influence employee decision-making that supports sustainable development. MGs received information on how to access SD resources, and how to support employees to apply SD in their jobs.

Annually, the CRA communicates SD to employees through SD national events-Earth Day, Environment Week, and Waste Reduction Week; campaigns such as our paper reduction campaign, updates and postings to our SD website; release of national and local SD messages, newsletters; and integration of SD messages and considerations into Agency communiqué and activities, such as BBQs and charitable campaigns.

Through the Sustainable Development Innovation Fund (SDIF), the CRA monitored the implementation of five new employee-driven SD projects. An assessment of the overall performance of the Fund was conducted. Key recommendations and best practices will be used to promote the expansion of successful projects within the Agency.

Activity 3.2.1.3: Strengthen employee commitment to SD in workplace by providing employees and their managers with the necessary tools and examples to include SD commitments in employee performance agreements.

Due Date: B/F from March 31, 2008

Subsequent to internal stakeholder consultations on the inclusion of SD commitments in employee performance expectations, it was decided to explore other options to strengthen employee commitment to SD.

In order to standardize the orientation information provided to new employees, the Agency provided the SD Network with SD information for integration into local orientation materials in all CRA branches and regions. This included the link to the SD component in the CRA online orientation course, A Good Start.

Activity 4.1.1.1: Continue to plan, implement, and report performance of the CRA Environmental Management System (EMS).

Due Date: Annual

There were 94 targets supporting nine EMPs in 2008-2009. Of these targets, 65 (71%) were met; 9 targets (10%) were mostly met; 18 targets (20%) were not met; and 2 targets were dropped. The EMPs were implemented and performance was documented and reported to the National EMS Committee periodically throughout the year. We also drafted EMPs for 2009-2010.

The SD Committee Guide was released to the SD Network in 2008-2009. The guide is a tool to assist the SD Network to better recruit and retain local SD committee members.

To improve the data management system for SD, the Agency developed and released to the SD Network a Web-based Performance Reporting (PR) Tool. The benefits include a single repository for SD information; ease of access for users; and reduced administrative burden from the quarterly performance reporting process. Work remains to incorporate the EMS reporting component.

*Activity 4.2.1.1: Continue to integrate sustainability criteria into key programs and policies of the CRA.

Due Date: Annual
[ Federal Goal 6: Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development.]

The CRA promoted the SD criteria as a tool to help policy and program developers to incorporate SD considerations into their decisions and products. With the SD Criteria Guide posted on the SD Website, the SD Network promoted the guide to local policy and program developers within their respective branches and regions.

*Activity 4.2.1.2: Develop an SD Report Card by establishing economic, social and environmental indicators spanning all business lines.

Due Date: B/F from March 31, 2008
[ Federal Goal 6: Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development.]

The environmental indicators for the CRA are already established as part of the CRA SD strategy. They include metrics for paper reduction, green procurement, solid waste diversion, and sustainable travel. Future work will identify social and economic indicators for the CRA. Competing priorities within the SD Division impeded the planned progress on this activity. Work will advance in 2009-2010.