Sustainable human resources practices encourage working arrangements that support environmental objectives, the provision of environmental awareness into all training programs, and the promotion of environmental practices.
The federal government is the largest employer in Canada. More than 250,000 people work across Canada in the 28 federal departments and agencies targeted by the Sustainable Development in Government Operations initiative. Each individual public service employee can help make the government greener. Simple actions such as recycling the paper we use, switching our computers off and reporting leaking taps make a difference. But we can all do more.
Employee Awareness
Because it provides employees and building occupants with precise information on the use of resources, an employee awareness program can lead to savings and reductions in the consumption of the resources.
Campaigns and tools have been developed over the years to create awareness among public service employees on several issues relating to the Government of Canada's impact on the environment.
The Federal House in Order web site, which focuses on the Government of Canada's plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its own operations, offers information climate change awareness programs and tools in its Training and Awareness section. Climate change awareness programs are essential if employees are to better understand the issue and learn how they can take action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at home, at work and on the road.
Natural Resources Canada has developed the Idle-free zone web site, which provides an anti-idling tool kit and helps with the organization of an idle-free campaign.
Another example is Public Work and Government Services Canada's Zero Waste Program. This program encourages the reduction of solid waste being sent to landfill from government operations. In order to assist government departments in setting-up and/or improving solid waste management programs, the Zero Waste Program provides information and expertise to government departments and agencies in the areas of waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
Training
Training can lead to similar ecological and economical positive benefits. Workshops designed to improve the Government of Canada environmental performance are available to public service employees. Some may be of particular interest to personnel with particular duties such as Environmental Management Systems specialists.
Environment Canada's Federal Programs Division offers training opportunities and workshops on various subjects throughout the year to federal employees and First Nations in the Ontario region.
Natural Resources Canada offers energy efficiency workshops such as the Dollars to $ense one-day workshop and Federal Buildings Initiative workshops.
Public Works and Government Services Canada offers a one-day green procurement training and also the possibility to learn online about procurement to create awareness of the benefits of buying green products and services.
To increase their environmental performance and in their effort to meet their Sustainable Development Strategy targets, departments and agencies may consider shared training as a possible option.
