Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report 2024 to 2025

Implementation strategy

Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Departmental action

• CSE will implement its Indigenous Procurement Strategy that will direct more procurement activities toward Indigenous owned and operated businesses.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses.
• Starting point: 2% in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
• Target: 5% of CSE’s total procurement awarded to Indigenous-owned businesses annually.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target, and to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

• CSE's Asset, Material, and Contract Management Division will implement CSE’s Indigenous Procurement Strategy that will direct more procurement activities towards Indigenous-owned businesses in alignment with Treasury Board Secretariat policy (TBS) on Mandatory Procedures for Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses.
• CSE is part of Phase 3 of the Government-wide Indigenous Procurement Plan. CSE has developed its own Indigenous Procurement Strategy to ensure both the planning and reporting of procurement activities with Indigenous-owned businesses at CSE reaches a minimum of 5% of the organization’s total procurement in fiscal year 2024-2025.
• Relevant targets or ambitions:
  CIF ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.
• GIF target – 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• GIF target – 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

Results achieved

• Indicator result: 5.8% in 2024-2025.
• Notes: CSE was successful in identifying key requirements geared to Indigenous businesses to attain and surpass the 5% annual goal.

Implementation strategy

Foster diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the federal public service.

Departmental action

• CSE will implement measures to improve accessibility and inclusivity in our office building and office spaces.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Number of door operators installed in CSE’s Edward Drake Building (EDB).
• Starting point: Ten door operators in CSE buildings in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
• Target: Install an additional 22 door operators by the 2026-2027 fiscal year, for a total 32.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target, and to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

• CSE acknowledges the importance of an inclusive physical environment for everyone’s benefit. Our office building may comply with building codes, but this does not automatically ensure accessible, inclusive and welcoming office spaces. To address this, we are implementing measures aimed at fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Relevant targets or ambitions:
  GIF target – 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion for all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Results achieved

• Indicator result: Zero door operators were installed during the fiscal year 2024-2025.
• Notes: The installation of 33 door operators was originally planned for completion during fiscal year 2024-2025. Due to delays in finalizing the contract, zero door operators were installed in fiscal year 2024-2025. Additional work will be carried out this year. The installation is now scheduled for completion by fiscal year 2026-2027.

Planned initiatives

Participate in Indigenous network events with international partners to learn from their initiatives and best practices.

Associated domestic targets or ambitions and/or global targets

CSE contributes to advancing:

• The FSDS target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
• The Global Indicator Framework target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Results achieved

By way of CSE’s international partnerships, CSE hosted a special guest from the Five Eyes Indigenous network. They came and spoke to CSE about Māori culture and their lived experiences. They also met with CSE’s Indigenous Network and Senior Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) advisor to the Chief to discuss New Zealand’s work on reconciliation and key organizational initiatives.

CSE participated in the Five Eyes EDI Summit held at CSE in March 2024, setting up a booth, networking with partners and discussing EDI recruitment and retention strategies. CSE will continue to engage with second party partners to learn about their efforts and incorporate successful strategies.

In May 2024, CSE’s Indigenous Career Navigator (ICN) met with Robyn Leigh K, Chief Advisor Māori of New Zealand to discuss and learn from their initiatives and best practices and to share CSE’s own. This ongoing collaboration is to advance reconciliation within our respective countries.

Planned initiatives

• Launch internal sponsorship programs for Indigenous students, engage in open dialogue with Indigenous employees, and participate in relevant conferences.

Associated domestic targets or ambitions and/or global targets

CSE contributes to advancing:

• The FSDS target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
• The Global Indicator Framework target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Results achieved

• In 2024, under the guidance of the Knowledge Circle for Indigenous Inclusion (KCII), CSE created its first Indigenous Career Navigator (ICN) role.
• CSE’s ICN attended the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition’s Red Dress Day event at City Hall for networking opportunities.
• CSE’s ICN participated in recruitment events that focused on connecting with Indigenous student populations in diverse locations across Canada.
• CSE is exploring how it can boost recruitment of Indigenous Peoples by further leveraging the Information Technology (IT) Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous People, partnering with groups like the Joint Economic Development Initiative (Indigenous students studying in technical fields, can include some mentorship opportunities as well), and continuing to seek out and participate in Indigenous conferences and recruitment events.
• CSE attended 19 Indigenous-related events last fiscal year, which was 7 more than the previous fiscal year.
• CSE continued publicizing opportunities for professionals and students, including targeted outreach to Indigenous student organizations via Indigenous job boards such as Indigenous Link, which saw 285,573 visits to the CSE page, through partnership with CSE’s communications team, and an advertising campaign directed at an Indigenous audience.
• In 2025, CSE’s ICN attended the Advancing Indigenous People in STEM (AISES) conference.
• The Code Talkers Circle, a CSE employee resource group, presented to CSE’s People and Culture committee on their recommendations for mandatory training on Indigenous culture. The recommendation was approved, and the training will be added to the mandatory EDI learning curriculum as part of the 2025 curriculum review.

Planned initiatives

• Continue to promote and support Indigenous learning and cultural activities across the organization.

Associated domestic targets or ambitions and/or global targets

CSE contributes to advancing:

• The FSDS target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementinthe United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
• The Global Indicator Framework target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Results achieved

• CSE continued to promote and support Indigenous learning and cultural activities across the organization.
• In September 2024, CSE invited Grandmother Irene Compton, co-founder and Keeper of the stories at Minwaashin’s Sacred Lodge and Stephanie Mikki Adams, Executive Director at the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families to speak about missing and murdered Indigenous women as well as their loved ones for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
• CSE also hosted other speakers such as lawyer and author Scott Mainprize, and a speaker from the Five Eyes alliance that spoke about reconciliation and being Māori in New Zealand.
• CSE recognizes days of importance in its weekly all-staff communication messages.

Implementation strategy 1

Transform the federal light-duty fleet.

Departmental action

• In the long term, as permitted by the life cycling guidelines, CSE will replace our current vehicles with ZEV or hybrid vehicles based on availability.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Number of vehicles replaced by a hybrid vehicle and/or an electric vehicle.
• Starting point: In 2022-2023, hybrid vehicles constituted 14% of CSE's light-fleet vehicles.
• Target: By the end of 2023-2024, CSE will have 42% of its light fleet as hybrid or ZEV (28% as hybrid vehicles and 14% will be ZEV).

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target, and to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

• Switching to ZEV or hybrid vehicles reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from conventional fleet operations and enhances sustainable consumption.
• Relevant targets or ambitions:
  CIF ambition – 12.1: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.
• CIF indicator – 12.1.1: Proportion of new light-duty vehicle registrations that are ZEV.
• GIF target – 12.1: Implement the 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.

Results achieved

• Indicator result: CSE purchased one vehicle in fiscal year 2024-25.
• Notes: CSE did not replace any vehicles in the last fiscal year but will only be buying hybrid vehicles moving forward when the current fleet is up for life cycle management, based on availability.
  At the end of 2023-24 CSE met the 42% target of its light fleet as hybrid or ZEV requirements.

Implementation strategy 2

Strengthen green procurement criteria.

Departmental action

• CSE will train all new procurement, goods, and services specialists in green procurement (such as through the Canada School of Public Service’s course on green procurement or equivalent) within their first year at CSE.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement, goods and services specialists trained in green procurement within one year of their first day of work.
• Starting point: In 2022-2023, 100% of procurement, goods and services specialists trained in green procurement.
• Target: 100% of procurement, goods and services specialists will receive training within their first year at CSE, by the end of 2027.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target, and to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

• Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and motivates suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain and the goods and services they deliver.
• Relevant targets or ambitions:
  GIF SDG target – 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Results achieved

• Indicator result: 100% of procurement officers completed the Green Procurement training within a year of their first day of work.
• All current employees, and newly onboarded employees in procurement, have taken the Green Procurement course offered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS).
• Notes: The procurement team will continue to provide any new or updated training or guidance to their officers, to ensure the appropriate incorporation of Green Procurement methods and procedures.

Implementation strategy

Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.

Departmental action

• CSE will develop and implement a strategic plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and prepare facilities for a warming climate.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Percentage reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Starting point: Total greenhouse gas emissions tons from operations in 2022-2023.
• Target: 15% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2030.

Departmental action

• CSE will work with an engineering consultant to explore a comprehensive review of EDB infrastructure. The aim is to develop and implement a long-term plan that will investigate all possible options to reduce emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining CSE’s mandated operations.
• Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator, starting point and target

• Performance indicator: Explore all viable options to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to align CSE to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Starting point: 2023-2024 in the process of hiring an engineering consultant.
• Target: By 2027, CSE will complete a plan to explore all viable and possible options to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 while maintaining CSE’s critical mandated operations.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target, and to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

• Actions that rationalize the portfolio, share facilities, reduce the demand for energy, or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in greenhouse gas from real property operations.
• Relevant targets or ambitions:
  CIF ambition: Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
• CIF target – 13.1: By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• CIF indicator – 13.1.1: Greenhouse gas emissions.

Results achieved

• Indicator result: CSE received the final Engineer’s report in Fall 2024. CSE is in the strategic planning phase for the implementation of the recommended Energy Conservation Measures. CSE is also conducting a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRIVA) with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), results are expected to be received in August 2025.
• Notes: CSE has already developed a hybrid implementation plan which will meet most of the greenhouse gas emission targets listed under the FSDS while respecting the natural life cycle of most capital equipment. CSE is currently validating the implementation strategy with our P3 (public-private-partnership) partners.

Planned initiatives

Changing chillers and cooling towers in the centralized utility plant.

Associated domestic targets or ambitions and/or global targets:

CSE contributes to advancing:

• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition: Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) target – 13.1: By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) indicator – 13.1.1: Greenhouse gas emissions.

Results achieved

• CSE successfully hired an energy consultant through PSPC to perform an energy performance analysis of the building. The final report was received in fall 2024. The report recommended 12 energy conservation measures, which CSE will implement in the coming fiscal year.
• CSE has already developed a hybrid implementation plan which will meet most of the greenhouse gas emission targets listed under the FSDS while respecting the natural life cycle of most capital equipment.
• During a detailed analysis of energy usage at the EDB conducted by the consultant, several noteworthy observations emerged, necessitating adjustments to parts of the original plan.
• The study revealed that while introducing supplemental humidification to CSE’s Kyoto cooling units to extend their use during colder months effectively reduced electricity consumption, it did not contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This modification reduced CSE’s capability to recover waste heat from the data centre and use it for heating office spaces, thereby diminishing natural gas consumption savings.
• Additionally, findings indicated that replacing the existing heat recovery chiller with a newer model before the end of its expected life cycle does not present a strong return on investment from a greenhouse gas emission reduction standpoint.
• Based on this insight, and in line with the consultant’s recommendations, CSE has decided to enhance our heat recovery capacity by installing an additional chiller instead. The discussion surrounding the replacement of cooling towers is ongoing.
• CSE is collaborating closely with its P3 partners to ensure that the decision is informed and data-driven, aiming to maximize greenhouse gas emission reductions while achieving the best financial value.
• In general, the energy analysis of the facility through the consultant has been extremely valuable in validating the scope of the projects and the expected return on investment before undertaking the work.

Planned initiatives

Encouraging alternative transportation and offer flexible remote work options.

Associated domestic targets or ambitions and/or global targets

CSE contributes to advancing:

• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition: Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) target – 13.1: By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) indicator – 13.1.1: Greenhouse gas emissions.

Results achieved

CSE continues to embrace a hybrid work model and actively promotes ecofriendly commuting by allocating parking spaces for electric vehicles (EVs), motorcycles, and bicycles. Moreover, it encourages carpooling and the use of public transportation. The proximity of the EDB campus to an Ottawa Light Rail Transit station further enhances employees’ access to alternative transportation options. The bike parking facility at CSE’s Vanier location was moved inside to better protect bikes and keep users out of the elements.