2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report in PDF and HTML formats.
Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Courts Administration Service (CAS) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in CAS’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to CAS’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in CAS’s DSDS and 2024 to 2025 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, CAS’s departmental strategy reports on Canada’s progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Courts Administration Service’s Commitments
GOAL 10: ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context: This FSDS Goal which focuses on taking action on inequality and advancing reconciliation with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities draws inspiration form the United Nation’s SDG Global Indicator Framework
CAS’s DSDS focuses on 10.3 in the strategy outlined below:
10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and actions in this regard
Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Construct a court facility with infrastructure that better supports Indigenous legal needs and traditions |
Program: Judicial and Registry Services |
Performance indicator: Existence of a facility in Saskatoon Starting point: There currently is no federal court facility in Saskatoon Target: Construct a new facility in Saskatoon by end of fiscal year (FY)2027-28. |
The construction of a facility with amenities that support Indigenous legal needs and traditions will improve Indigenous peoples’ access to Canada’s justice system |
Indicator result: This project is now forecast for completion at the end of FY2028-29. Notes: The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada and has full accountability for constructing a new facility, in accordance with CAS’s functional program. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|
|
Court Facilities Modernization Program inclusive of the construction of a new court facility in Saskatoon which is supported by funding approved in Budgets 2019 and 2022 |
Program completion by FY2028-29 |
This project is now forecast for completion at the end of FY2028-29. |
GOAL 12: REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context: To implement net-zero emissions in real property and conventional fleet operationsFootnote i, the Government of Canada will reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2Footnote ii GHG emissions by 40% by 2025 and by at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2050. On this emissions reduction pathway, the government will aspire to reduce emissions by an additional 10% each 5 years starting in 2025
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Achieve LEED Gold at all modernized court facilities |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: Certification obtained Starting point: April 1, 2023: The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s real property portfolio Target: All projects included in the Court Facilities Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 11% (1/9) of CAS court facilities modernization projects are LEED gold certified. Notes: All modernization projects are currently in planning and/or design phases, except for the Montreal project that has entered the construction phase. As part of all project mandates, CAS has established a LEED Gold certification as a scope requirement. The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. PSPC has full accountability for constructing new facilities, including the implementations of the Government’s greening of Government strategy. |
Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Achieve LEED Gold at all modernized court facilities |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: Certification obtained Starting point: April 1, 2023. The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s real property portfolio. Target: All projects included in the Court Facilities Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation. |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 11% (1/9) of CAS court facilities modernization projects are LEED gold certified in 2024. Notes: All modernization projects are currently in planning and/or design phases, except for the Montreal project that has entered the construction phase. As part of all project mandates, CAS has established a LEED Gold certification as a scope requirement. The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. PSPC has full accountability for constructing new facilities, including the implementations of the Government’s greening of Government strategy. |
Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Develop criteria that address greenhouse gas emissions reduction for goods and services that have a high environmental impact. Transform light duty fleet to meet Canada’s 2030 Greening Government Fleets objective – net zero emission vehicles. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: 100% of vehicles purchased are hybrid, electric or zero emission Starting point: Data fleet log updated in FY 2023-24 Target: Incremental progress towards further greening of vehicle fleet. Transform fleet of seven vehicles from gas powered to hybrid vehicles by FY 2026-27 |
CAS will aim to meet the following transformational goals and within the schedule prescribe below:
By meetings its target CAS will be on track to meet Canada’s agenda of Greening Government Fleets by 2050 |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 14% (1 out of 7 vehicles) are zero-emission. Notes: Due to fiscal restraint, CAS did not purchase any vehicles in FY2024-25. |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria, ensure the criteria are included in procurements; and support green procurement, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of purchases that utilize standing offers and supply arrangements available to federal department that includes criteria that address environmental considerations Starting point: $ Value of expenditure through Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements (SOSA) that includes environmental criteria in FY2023-24. Target: Net-zero procurement of goods by 2050 in line with the GoC target |
Strengthening procurement criteria will help CAS and the GoC meet its net-zero emission objective by 2050 |
Indicator result: In FY2024-25, 100% of purchases that utilize standing offers and supply arrangements included criteria that address environmental considerations. Notes: CAS incorporated environmental considerations into purchasing decisions through standing offers and supply arrangements and selecting green options in procuring items such as recycled paper and boxes and refurbished toner as well as office supplies, IT equipment, etc. |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria, ensure the criteria are included in procurements; and support green procurement, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of light-duty-on-road fleet that comprises zero-emission vehicles, including battery, electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel Starting point: Each year, at least 75% of purchases of new light-duty, on-road fleet vehicles for the conventional fleet will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids, where suitable options are available and meet operational requirements. Priority is to be given to purchasing zero-emission vehicles. Target: Net-zero procurement of goods by 2050 in line with the GoC target |
Strengthening procurement criteria will help CAS and the GoC meet its net-zero emission objective by 2050 |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 14% (1 out of 7 vehicles) are zero-emission. Notes: Due to fiscal restraint, CAS did not purchase any vehicles in FY2024-25. |
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Support of the government’s “Greening of Government Strategy” through update of CAS’s net-zero climate-resilient real property portfolio plan every 5 years |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: CAS has a revised real property portfolio plan in place every 5 years Starting point: FY2024-25 Target: Updated net-zero climate-resilient real property portfolio plans will ensure that climate risks to critical and high-value assets are assessed as soon as possible (and no later than 2030), and measures to reduce risks are implemented no later than 2035 |
Will help CAS identify opportunities for portfolio rationalization; sharing facilities; maximizing energy efficiency, and switching to lower carbon fuels all geared towards supporting the net-zero target by 2050 Will help CAS determine the most cost-effective pathway to achieve net-zero by 2050 |
Indicator result: In FY2024-25, CAS continued to collaborate with PSPC to ensure the real property portfolio plan is updated every 5 years and supports the Government’s greening of Government strategy. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|
|
Court Facilities Modernization Program (funding approved in Budgets 2019 and 2022) |
Program completion by FY2028-29 |
Indicator result: This initiative is on track, funding and authorities are secured, and projects are moving into implementation phase with planned completion by FY2028-29. |
GOAL 13: TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
Taking action on climate change by reducing emission of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants and building resilience that directly supports the United Nation’s SDG Global Indicator Framework
Targets:
13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.3: Improve education, awareness–raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET | HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
Program: Corporate Services Reduce GHG emission from federal government facilities and fleet by 40% below 2005 levels Ensure all procurement officers and decision makers have necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. |
Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists and material management specialists who have completed training on green procurement Starting point: In baseline year FY2022- 2023, percentage of procurement specialist and material management specialists trained in green procurement Target: 100% procurement specialist and material management specialist |
Implement a fleet reduction plan within CAS inventory to reduce fleet GHG emission. Plan will include the following:
|
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 100% of procurement specialists and material management specialists have completed training on green procurement |
|
Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings CAS will work with PSPC to analyze current carbon footprint. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: Availability of carbon footprint data for all CAS buildings. Starting point: CAS currently does not have this data. Target: Obtain the data before the end of FY2025-26 |
Engagement on net-zero carbon buildings with PSPC will promote a preference for zero carbon buildings as future opportunities present. |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, CAS does not have this data. Notes: CAS continues to collaborate with PSPC to ensure the real property portfolio plan supports the Government’s greening of Government strategy, including obtaining all relevant data. The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. PSPC has full accountability for providing net-zero climate-resilient facility accommodations to CAS, including any supporting analysis and data. |
|
Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings CAS will work with PSPC to analyze current carbon footprint. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: Confirmation that CAS is occupying buildings that have a net zero footprint. Starting point: CAS currently is not occupying any net zero space. Target: All CAS space is net zero by 2050. |
Engagement on net-zero carbon buildings with PSPC will promote a preference for zero carbon buildings as future opportunities present. |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, CAS is not occupying any net zero space. Notes: The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. CAS continues to collaborate with PSPC to ensure the real property portfolio plan supports the Government’s greening of Government strategy, including obtaining all relevant data. |
|
Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: LEED Certifications obtained on court facilities modernization projects. Starting point: The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s portfolio at the time of publication. Target: All projects included in the Court Facilities Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
Through understanding the current carbon footprint, CAS will be able to target investments where there is influence within the department to reduce emissions and outside of direct influence, support PSPC decisions as appropriate. In the long term, adopting a net zero posture internally will provide the basis for promoting net zero solutions when engaging with PSPC for future real estate acquisitions and lease renewals |
Indicator result: As of FY2024-25, 11% (1/9) of CAS court facilities modernization projects are LEED gold certified. Notes: All modernization projects are currently in planning and/or design phases, except for the Montreal project that has entered the construction phase. As part of all project mandates, CAS has established a LEED Gold certification as a scope requirement. The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. PSPC has full accountability for constructing new facilities, including the implementations of the Government’s greening of Government strategy. |
|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: LEED Certifications obtained on court facilities modernization projects. Starting point: The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s portfolio at the time of publication. Target: All projects included in the Court Facilities Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation. |
Indicator result: As of 2024-25, 11% (1/9) of CAS court facilities modernization projects are LEED gold certified. Notes: All modernization projects are currently in planning and/or design phases, except for the Montreal project that has entered the construction phase. As part of all project mandates, CAS has established a LEED Gold certification as a scope requirement. The reader should note that PSPC is the common real estate provider for the Government of Canada. PSPC has full accountability for constructing new facilities, including the implementations of the Government’s greening of Government strategy. |
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET | HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations Undertake an analysis on the impact of climate change to the CAS facility portfolio. |
Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: Availability of details on potential impacts of climate change on court operations. Starting point: CAS currently does not have data and/or details on the impacts of climate change Target: Obtain data on the impacts of climate change by the end of FY2025-26. |
Understanding the impacts of climate change will allow CAS an opportunity to fully assess the impacts on Court operations and make relevant recommendations to mitigate any risks. |
Indicator result: CAS reports climate-related risks in the annual Report on the Government of Canada’s Climate-Related Financial Risk Management. As of FY2024-25, four climate-related risks have been identified; however, a methodology to quantify the impacts has not been developed. Notes: CAS continues to collaborate with PSPC to understand the impacts of climate change and to support the Government’s greening of Government strategy, including all analysis. |
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Take action on climate change and its impacts” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET | HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Undertake an analysis on the impact of climate change to the CAS facility portfolio |
Program: Corporate Services /PSPC |
Performance indicator: Availability of detailed report with relevant data on potential impacts of climate change on court operations Starting point: CAS currently does not have data and/or details on the impacts of climate change. Target: Completion of analysis having reach objective to fill the data gap by the end of FY2025-26. |
Understanding the impacts of climate change on court operations will allow CAS an opportunity to fully assess the impacts and make relevant recommendations to mitigate any risks. |
Indicator result: CAS reports climate-related risks in the annual Report on the Government of Canada’s Climate-Related Financial Risk Management. As of FY2024-25, four climate-related risks have been identified; however, a methodology to quantify the impacts has not been developed. Notes: CAS continues to collaborate with PSPC to understand the impacts of climate change and to support the Government’s greening of Government strategy, including all analysis. CAS will engage with and continue to support PSPC in their mandate. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS | RESULTS ACHIEVED |
|---|---|---|
|
Study on the impacts of climate change on court facilities and the operations of the courts. |
N/A |
CAS continues to collaborate with PSPC to understand the impacts of climate change and to support the Government’s greening of Government strategy, including all analysis. CAS will engage with and continue to support PSPC in their mandate. |
Integrating Sustainable Development
CAS will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) process. A SEEA for a policy, program or regulatory proposal includes an analysis of the climate, nature, environmental and economic effects of the given proposal.
Public statements on the results of CAS’s assessments are issued when an initiative that was the subject of a detailed Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment is implemented or announced (see here). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental and economic effects, including contributions to the FSDS goals and targets, of an initiative have been considered during proposal development and decision making.
CAS did not have any proposals subject to a detailed SEEA that were announced or implemented in 2024-25.
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