Environmental Code of Practice
» Our Goal
The NRTEE is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of its operations on an ongoing basis. Achieving this goal will also ensure that the NRTEE respects and reflects the principles and practices of sustainable development.
» Policy Statement
The NRTEE demonstrates its leadership and commitment to sustainable development both within and outside the federal government through the integration into its operations of practices that minimize its impact on the environment.
» Approach
The NRTEE has voluntarily and actively implemented an Environmental Code of Practice that sets out the principles which will guide our policies and practices to save energy, reduce usage of other resources, and reduce waste from our operations. We will adopt, measure where feasible, and publish the NRTEE’s environmental practices, thereby providing an example of small agency leadership for sustainability within the federal government.
» Principles into Policies
The NRTEE will:
- Meet, or exceed where feasible, all relevant federal government standards or policies designed to reduce environmental impacts as they apply to our operations.
- Whenever feasible, according to federal procurement policies, purchase goods and services from suppliers who share our goals for reducing our environmental footprint.
- Work towards reducing our carbon footprint.
- Minimize the amount of solid waste destined for landfill from our operations.
- Build continuously on what has already been achieved in terms of greening our operations.
- Engage all staff members by seeking their input and by providing relevant guidance, tools and direction about actions and behaviour consistent with this Code of Practice.
- Track and record our performance with a list of actions, along with quantifiable measures where reasonable and feasible, and present these in our annual reports to Parliament.
- Monitor external developments concerning possible approaches to reducing our environmental footprint, and adapt the NRTEE’s policies and practices accordingly.
- Raise awareness of this initiative within the federal government and with our stakeholders by publishing our plan and best practices on the NRTEE website (www.nrt-trn.ca).
» Policies into Practice
The NRTEE’s greening policies and practices align with government-wide categories, namely procurement, energy use (in office space and for business travel), waste management, and employee awareness and engagement.
2. Energy Use: Office Operations