National Battlefields Commission
2019–20 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
August 2020
1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Although the National Battlefields Commission is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, the National Battlefields Commission adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by implementing the Policy on Green Procurement.
The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, the National Battlefields Commission supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process through the actions described in the “FSDS goal: low-carbon government” table in section 2.
2. Commitments for the National Battlefields Commission
FSDS goal: low-carbon government
| FSDS target | FSDS contribution action | Corresponding departmental actions | Starting point, performance indicator and target | Results achieved | Contribution of Each Departmental Outcome to the Targets and Objectives of the FSDS and UN SDGs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and vehicle fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025. | Reduce the use of vehicles. | Patrol by bicycle, on foot and in golf carts when the weather permits. | Starting point: 400 hours of patrols by bike, by foot and with an electric golf kart were conducted in summer 2018. Target: For summer 2019, conduct at least 400 hours of patrol by bike, by foot or with an electric golf kart. Indicator: Number of hours of patrol by bike, by foot and with a golf kart. |
216 hours of bicycle, foot and electric golf cart patrols were completed in the summer of 2019. | Alternative patrol modes reduce the use of vehicles that emit greenhouse gases. |
| Improving the energy use and efficiency of our buildings/operations. | Collect rainwater for use in the park. | Starting point : No watering is being done with rainwater on the park. Target: create a rainfall recovery system to ensure the decrease of the consumption of clean water to irrigate the plants and green spaces. Indicator: Number of litters of clean water saved. |
The rainwater contained in a 10,000 L basin was reused by the Green Spaces Unit. | FSDS: Green procurement integrates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions. Procurement specialists who are trained in the application of such criteria can award contracts to suppliers with a reduced GHG footprint. It is expected that this provision will encourage suppliers to reduce the GHG emissions associated with their goods, services and supply chains. United Nations SDG: SDG 12 |
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| Decrease the water consumption with low flow taps and toilets. | Starting point : The NBC had no low flow plumbing fixtures before 2018. Target: During new constructions replacements, install low flow plumbing fixtures to reduce the quantity of consumed water. Indicator: Quantity of low flow plumbing fixtures used. |
No plumbing fixture replacements or new installations were required. |
3. Integration of sustainable development
The National Battlefields Commission will continue to ensure that the objectives and targets of the FSDS are reflected in its decision-making process through the implementation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for policy, plan and programme proposals includes an analysis of the environmental impacts of the proposal, including on the objectives and targets of the FSDS.