Sustainable Development Strategy in Canada

[5][6][7] All Canadians have a role to play in advancing Sustainable Development, including all levels of government, business and industry, civil society, community groups and citizens.

[8] The importance of developing a balance between economic growth, social well-being, and the health of the environment is at the forefront of public opinion.

Canadians realize that a healthy environment is imperative for our long-term economic, social well-being and quality of life.

This strategy is an important tool to help guide the organization in systematically integrating the principles of Sustainable Development into their policies, programs, legislation, and operations.

In 1995, the Auditor General Act[9] was amended to encourage stronger Sustainable Development performance by the Federal Government of Canada.

[10] Sustainable Development is a key goal for public policy in Canada and should be made the foundation of the organization's approach to environmental management.

This understanding should be reflected in the creation of a Mission Statement for the organization, which outlines its commitment to making Sustainable Development a reality in Canada.

The organization should establish and maintain information in paper or electronic form, to describe the core elements of the management system and their interaction and provide direction to related documentation.

A documented audit trail that reflects implementation and maintenance of the policy and have it communicated to all employees with availability to the public.

The organization should establish and maintain procedures to identify the environmental aspects[20] of its activities, products, and services that it can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence, in order to determine those, which have or can have significant impacts on the environment.

[36][37] The organization should establish and maintain documented procedures to monitor and measure, on a regular basis, the key characteristics of its operations and activities that can have a significant impact on the environment.

This would entail a requirement to establish and maintain documented procedures for periodically evaluating compliance with relevant environmental legislation and regulations.

[39] Senior management should, at reasonable time intervals review the EMS, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.

It should establish and maintain procedures to make its employees or members at each relevant function and level aware of:[41][42][43] Personnel performing the tasks which can cause significant environmental impacts should be competent on the basis of appropriate education, training and/or experience.

As the organization moves towards meeting commitments presented in this report, managers will be able to readily access resources to aid them.

The integration of 'sustainable' thinking into existing management tools and processes and daily practices is an important component of Sustainable Development strategy.

There are many opportunities to reduce the amount of waste generated simply by changing individual habits and office procedures.

[47] Due to technological innovations and market expansion of computer equipment and software, PCs are now becoming obsolete at increasing rates and are globally one of the fastest-growing components of municipal waste streams.

Considering reuse and storage options, the total lifespan, the period from manufacture to disposal, of a PC is estimated at 3–6 years.

[48][49][50] Some materials in computer equipment, such as heavy metals, including lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and brominated flame-retardants are highly toxic to the environment, wildlife and human health if mismanaged.

Obsolete computer equipment that is properly pre-treated: i.e., toxic components removed, and disassembled can promote the conservation of natural resources and prevent hazardous substances from entering the environment.

Greener procurement incorporates environmental considerations into decisions in addition to the conventional criteria of price and quality.

However, we recommend: Buy efficient products; Reduce packaging waste; Consolidate service contracts; and Overcome cost barriers.

The main environmental concerns of batteries are the harmful materials they contain, such as Mercury (Hg),[68] Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb).

Batteries containing these materials need to be carefully disposed of to avoid the harmful effects on human health and the environment.

[77][78] Facilities that are energy efficient are important, besides being good for the environment, they keep workplaces healthy, boost productivity and save money.

Examples would be to increase electronic options and reducing the amount of paper which is consumed in transferring information from one source to another.

[94] Achieving Sustainable Development will involve significant changes in the way the organization thinks about and implements policy and procedures.

Organizations will need to continue to update their commitments every three years, in compliance with the amendments to the Auditor General Act.