ETV Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) invite you to a workshop on how sustainable procurement and performance verification can help accelerate the adoption of innovative technology and service solutions for municipalities. The Workshop on Sustainable Procurement and Performance Verification for Municipalities will take place on March 23^rd at the Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver prior to Globe 2010.

Background

Municipalities and local governments are faced with the challenges of managing limited resources and maintaining social well-being in a world where the consequences of climate change and threats to biodiversity are becoming increasingly complex. Unsustainable consumption practices are part of this challenge.

Sustainable procurement, which involves spending public money on products and services that foster sustainable development, is clearly a priority. This means thinking carefully about what we buy, purchasing only what we really need, and taking the necessary steps to ensure acceptable environmental performance and societal outcomes. It encompasses the construction of energy efficient buildings, the acquisition of low emission vehicles, the use of water efficient devices and other actions that drive the market towards sustainability.

Although the benefits of sustainable procurement are widely recognized, there are a number of challenges, including:

•  Lack of clear definitions - Many procurement professionals have difficulty defining what an environmentally and socially preferable product or service is, and how to consider this in the tendering process. In some cases it is necessary to develop environmental performance specifications and purchasing criteria for priority technology or product groups. In other cases the use of definitions and criteria within existing performance verification and labeling schemes can be used.
  
• Changing the “lowest possible cost ” mindset - A key challenge for many organizations is to change procurement thinking and behaviour by considering the full life-cycle cost or value of products or services rather than using purchase price alone to determine value. Addressing this requires basic information on the financial benefits of using a life-cycle valuation approach.
  
• Integration with management systems - Decentralized organizations require effective management systems to ensure the consistent application of environmental and social initiatives. Integrating sustainable procurement activities within a quality management system helps ensure that objectives, performance targets, continuous improvement and accountability are fully understood and effectively applied.

Workshop Objectives

The Workshop on Sustainable Procurement and Performance Verification for Municipalities builds upon Environment Canada’s Performance Measurement and Verification Partnership (PMVP) - a network of public and private sector representatives that provides a forum for information-sharing on best practices and collaboration in the area of environmental performance measurement, reporting and verification.

The Workshop will explore the sustainable procurement challenges faced by communities and municipalities, including what makes sustainable procurement different and how it creates value. Case studies will be used to highlight the rationale for performance measurement and verification and illustrate how quality assured information provides a sound basis for decision making and helps municipalities and local authorities reduce risk, leading to the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions. The essential elements of a Sustainable Procurement Toolbox will also be presented including the role of ETV Canada and FCM’s Green Municipal Fund.

The Workshop will provide participants with a greater understanding of how their organizations are positioned along the sustainable procurement continuum and the tools and resources available to support their needs. The outcome will help catalyze the Performance Measurement and Verification Partnership, making it a reality in the area of sustainable procurement for municipalities. The workshop program will be available soon.

The Sponsoring Organizations

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund offers financial services and resources to Canadian municipal governments to improve environmental performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 ETV Canada delivers the Canadian ETV Program under a License Agreement with Environment Canada. ETV Canada provides an effective platform for decision support and risk management based on sound science, high quality data, and recognized protocols.

Contact:

Joanna Hickling
Project Coordinator
OCETA / ETV Canada
E-mail: jhickling@oceta.on.ca
Tel : 1-905-822-4133 x237