Editing Government of Canada

The '''Government of Canada''' is one [[institution]] that has taken some specific steps to define its [[institutional buying criteria]] under the general label '''Green Procurement''' (''is this used elsewhere?'') and '''Greening Government'''.  Efforts include:

*''[http://www.greeninggovernment.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=9697C298-11 GreeningGovernment.GC.CA]'' overall strategy 
*[[Public Works and Government Service Canada]] - [http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb cgsb] which also does [[ISO 14001]] certification for other agencies - [[green leasing]] and [[green citizenship]] programs including such things as [[vermiculture]] for [[trash]] - see [http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/sd-env/pdf/performance-report-00-01-e.pdf detailed PDF report] which reports
**[[office chair]]s including [[reduced gas emission]], [[off-gassing]], [[waste minimizing]], [[packaging requirements]]
**[[remanufactured toner cartridge]]s
*([http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/Tools/greenpur.ppt PPT presentation], 2004) ''Life Cycle Considerations in Environmental Purchasing Decisions'' with [http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/Tools/topenv.pdf top goals]:
**Reduce Toxics Constituents
**Increased Recycled Content
**Design for Recycling
**Reduced Materials use
**Promote Energy Conservation
**Extend Product Life
**Packaging
**Promote environmentally sound recycling
**Promote take-back options
**Reward corporate environmental policy

The Government creates and funds directories of acceptable products and [http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/faq-e.htm advises their use in FAQs] and its [http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/what-e.htm more general guides for suppliers]:
**[http://www.designinggreen.com/english/index.htm "designinggreen.com"]
**[http://procara.ca "procara.ca"]

''are these [[essential projects]]?  governments often set buying standards''

In addition, agencies commit to specific [[sustainable development]] goals, e.g. the [[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]] [http://www.acoa.ca/e/sustain/role.shtml list of commitments to SD] and [http://www.acoa.ca/e/sustain/2004/sust2004.shtml phased plans such as their Sustainable Development Strategy III] ''which may be useful as a template for other government agencies.''

It and other regional Canadian agencies offer more specific resources and help than the GC.CA does, for instance [http://www.acoa.ca/e/library/reports/eco.shtml listing benefits of] [[eco-efficiency]] for private business:
**Reduced inefficiencies and waste 
**Lower operating costs or increased revenue 
**Improved quality 
**Better customer, staff and supplier relations 
**Enhanced business image 
**Reduced environmental liabilities 
**Improved regulatory compliance 
**Continuous improvement of processes and practices 
**Improved workplace safety and employee health 
**Improved bottom line 
**Reduced environmental impact 
and seven (more specific than the overall GC.CA) ways to do so:
**Reduce the amount of material required in the production of your goods and services. 
**Reduce the amount of energy required in the production and delivery of your goods and services. 
**Reduce toxic emissions. 
**Design your products to be recyclable. 
**Maximize the use of renewable resources in the production and delivery of your products and services. 
**Design products that are durable and easier to repair. 
**Design products that serve multiple purposes and that can be easily upgraded. 

=== references ===

*[http://www.acoa.ca/e/sustain/tools.shtml ACOA library - tools for sustainable development] - an excellent list