CCSP

August 2, 2023 In CCSP

Federal Government Incentivizes Supplier Climate Action via New Standard on Disclosure and Target Setting

The CCSP sat for the fourth Peer Exchange of the year on June 22^nd. In this session, members received a special update directly from the Federal Government on its new Standard on the Disclosure of GHG Emissions and Setting of Reduction Targets.

On April 1^st, 2023, a new Federal Standard came into effect to further incentivize Canadian businesses to take action on reducing their carbon emissions. The Standard on the Disclosure of GHG Emissions and Setting of Reduction Targets applies to Federal procurements over $25 million and requires suppliers to measure and disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adopt a science-based target to reduce their emissions (in line with the Paris Agreement). Based on data from 2018 – 2021, this new Standard is projected to influence around 140 contract per year.

CCSP members heard from senior representatives from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to learn more about how this standard is being implemented in procurement and the new disclosure initiative being managed by the Federal Government.

May 25, 2023 In CCSP

Making the Most of your Environmental Procurement Criteria for Construction Projects.

The CCSP sat for the third peer exchange of the year on May 11^th. This month’s topic: environmental impacts in construction. Read on to learn about certifications, lowering impacts of construction, embodied carbon, and some industry leaders in green building.

With almost 40% of annual global emissions coming from the built environment¹, there is an opportunity for the construction industry to become a pioneer in reducing global carbon emissions. Speakers from WSP, Mantle Developments and UBC enlightened CCSP members on the importance of setting sustainability priorities, reducing embodied carbon and planning for climate resilience.

May 18, 2023 In CCSP

Leveraging Tools in your Procurement Process to Achieve Greater Sustainability Impact

CCSP’s April Peer Exchange focused on how tools support processes for sustainable procurement. Read this blog to learn more.

Many procurement teams struggle with consistent and meaningful consideration of sustainability within procurement practices. Tools are tangible resources – like checklists, worksheets, guides, or other reference materials – that you can get into the hands of buyers and business units to make sustainable procurement more accessible and standardized. Tools act as guidance throughout the procurement process which enables staff to integrate sustainability more meaningfully into their purchasing decisions.

March 30, 2023 In CCSP

Read the Latest and Greatest Sustainable Procurement Trends and Success Stories from the CCSP

CCSP releases its 13^th State of the Nation Report on Sustainable Public Procurement in Canada

Have you been wondering how to get started on sustainable procurement in your institution – or feeling disconnected from what others are working on? Take a look at the Canadian Collaboration for Sustainable Procurement’s 2022 Annual Report on the State of Sustainable Public Procurement in Canada.

Download from here.READ MORE

February 22, 2023 In CCSP

The CCSP is Kicking Off Its 14th Year!

This year, the Canadian Collaboration for Sustainable Procurement is entering into its 14^th year of operations! On February 2^nd, we were joined by new members, returning members, and guests from various public-sector organizations from across the country to kick things off. We are so excited to see how CCSP members will continue to collaborate and progress the sustainable procurement movement in 2023.READ MORE

November 29, 2022 In CCSP

The Race to Zero: Procurement for Low-carbon Construction

The CCSP settled in for its November Peer Exchange in anticipation of the upcoming infrastructure planning busy season. Read on to learn about new Federal government procurement standards for low-carbon construction and validation from EllisDon that the market is ready to provide solutions.

Construction and infrastructure development contribute significantly to the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with 13% of global annual emissions coming solely from the embodied carbon of cement, steel, and aluminum, which are just a few of the many materials used to construct buildings and other infrastructure⁽¹⁾.

October 31, 2022 In CCSP

Bridging the Gap – Strategies for Increasing Indigenous Procurement

Ready to get serious about Indigenous procurement? The CCSP’s recent Peer Exchange explored several procurement measures the public sector can use to increase engagement and spend with Indigenous suppliers.

“If all levels of government in Canada were to procure five percent of their current $224 billion spend from Indigenous businesses, this would equate to an $11 billion influx to the Indigenous economy.”READ MORE

October 17, 2022 In CCSP

What Role does Procurement Have in a Zero Waste Future?

Imagine a future where our purchases strengthen the economy, foster social benefit, and create zero waste. The concept of procurement as a driver towards a circular world was top of mind for us as we attended the 2022 National Zero Waste Conference, hosted by the Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Council. We were inspired by many of the speakers and panelists forging a path towards circularity through a common language of describing waste as a resource. We learned about innovative efforts to close the loop by re-integrating waste back into the manufacturing of new products or by giving products a second life. Below are three of our key takeaways from the conference, and our reflections on how sustainable procurement is enabling a zero-waste future.

July 13, 2022 In CCSP

Exploring the Unique Partnership Between Procurement and Sustainability

Does one plus one equal three? In the case of the powerful partnership between procurement and sustainability departments, the answer is a resounding yes! Read on to find out how these two groups are greater than the sum of their parts.

Procurement practitioners have a lot on their plates – they are the facilitator between internal business units and the products and services those business units need. They’re balancing procurement rules and regulations, supply chain disruptions, tight timelines and budgets, and at the same time they are being asked to consider complex issues like accessibility and sustainability. But this is exactly why procurement should be seen as a highly strategic function of an organization – and they shouldn’t have to act alone either.

April 29, 2022 In CCSP

Seeking the B in Sustainable Procurement

Procurement is the engine of an organization’s ESG strategy and is a key leverage point to address fundamental challenges like climate change, social inequity, and reconciliation. With so many products and services to choose from, and an increasing call to integrate sustainability considerations into the selection of goods, services and supplier, how do procurement teams navigate the challenge of making the very “best value” selection.

Integrating sustainability criteria into procurement decisions isn’t always easy and with a growing interest in ESG it can be difficult to distinguish the good from the greenwashed. Sustainability requirements for brands have led to greenwashing – sometimes making it extremely challenging for buyers to know how to differentiate what is a truly a more sustainable product or service.READ MORE