Government of Canada: Difference between revisions

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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?''). Efforts include:

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]]

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''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