Achieving Responsibly - Ontario.ca

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Achieving Responsibly Achieving Responsibly Green Office A Culture of Consciousness and Commitment Conservation Through Technology PaperLess Building Sustainability Large Steps, Small Footprints Find Out More Message from Shelly Jamieson, the Secretary of Cabinet In 2009, the OPS took a big step toward becoming an environmental leader when we launched our Green Transformation Strategy. It lays out our plan to reduce the government’s environmental footprint, develop green business practices and build a workplace culture where “thinking green” is part of our daytoday reality. One year into our journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. In this report, you will read about major initiatives underway, such as greening IT operations, reducing paper use and diverting waste from landfills. You’ll also find out more about innovative grassroots projects, led by dedicated employees like you, that are making a real difference. Our efforts are being noticed. In April 2010, for the first time ever, the OPS was named one of Canada’s greenest employers. We were one of only 35 employers in the country to receive that honour, and I couldn’t be more proud. The really exciting news is that this is just the beginning. Everyone in the OPS has a role to play. With your help, we will continue to green our operations, foster a green culture across the OPS and reduce our impact on the environment. Message from Neil Sentance, Assistant Deputy Minister, OPS Green Office This is an exciting time of green transformation in the OPS. Across government, employees are pitching in to do what they can to reduce our environmental footprint. From planting trees and a community garden to saving paper and drinking tap water, employees are taking small steps every day that are making a big difference. It is those individual efforts on the part of OPS employees that will make it possible for the OPS to become an environmental leader. Our efforts are guided by the Green Transformation Strategy, an ambitious plan designed to put the OPS at the forefront of environmental sustainability in government operations. Over the past year, we have made significant strides forward. This report highlights the important work that is underway, which includes: • Moving ahead on our Green Print Strategy aimed at cutting the OPS’ paper use in half by 2012; • Implementing an electronic equipment waste disposal program aimed at recycling 100 per cent of the government’s electronic waste; • Increasing the number of hybrids and fuelefficient vehicles and reducing travel to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions; • Reducing the environmental impact of our buildings through sustainable design, construction, operation and maintenance. These are just some of the achievements we have made so far by working together. I would like to thank our partners across government, our Green Team volunteers, and of course, all the dedicated OPS employees who are helping to make green government a reality. I look forward to working with you all in the year ahead to build on our tremendous success.
Green Office Achieving Responsibly Green Office A Culture of Consciousness and Commitment Conservation Through Technology PaperLess Building Sustainability Large Steps, Small Footprints Find Out More Ontario has a rich natural heritage – fresh water, fertile land, vast forests – and the Ontario government is committed to preserving that heritage for generations to come. The government has developed a broad range of initiatives which, together, will protect our environment, promote an innovative green economy and foster a culture of conservation. These initiatives are anchored by the 2007 Climate Change Action Plan, which sets ambitious provincewide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2014 and 2020 and provides an overall framework for the government’s efforts to fight climate change. The 2009 Green Energy Act is increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources and assisting Ontarians to become more energy efficient, while the proposed Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act will, if passed, encourage the development and export of clean water technology, sustain water infrastructure and promote conservation. The Ontario Public Service has a crucial role to play in the government’s fight against climate change. By being a leader in green business transformation, Ontario’s Public Service can serve as an example for reducing environmental impact and driving efficiencies. In September 2008, the government established the OPS Green Office within the Ministry of Government Services to lead this transformation and to work with ministries to green all aspects of government operations. Plan The government has a plan to make this happen: The OPS Green Transformation Strategy. Approved in April 2009, the strategy has three interconnected goals: • Achieve targeted reductions to the government’s environmental footprint, including; • Reductions to GHG emissions by 19 per cent below 2006 levels by 2014 and 27 per cent by 2020. The government will achieve these reductions through reduced vehicle fuel consumption, air travel and energy in facilities, resulting in an overall cumulative reduction of 82 kilotonnes (kt) of CO 2 by 2014 • Reductions in other key consumption areas such as paper and waste; • Develop green business practices which integrate environmental sustainability into all aspects of the business lifecycle from acquisition to disposal; and • Build a green organizational culture to make environmental responsibilty part of the daytoday work of the OPS. Partnership All ministries are committed to achieving these goals. The Green Office has developed partnerships with key business areas across the OPS, including fleet operations, facilities management, procurement, environmental standards and policy, information technology and the Climate Change Secretariat, to drive the government’s green transformation agenda. These same business areas are represented on the Green Government Task Force, which is working to ensure an integrated approach to green transformation that is aligned with other goals and commitments across the government. continued >
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