Embassy of Canada: Being green is part of our business

Caring for the environment and good corporate citizenship are priorities for many large companies and multinational firms.

However, these priorities are also important for diplomatic organizations which must carefully consider the impact of their actions on their host country.

As one of the biggest embassies in the Philippines, the Embassy of Canada has implemented its own corporate social responsibility plan to guide its actions.

For example, the embassy is focusing on reducing Canada’s carbon footprint in the Philippines. In the past year alone it has been able to reduce its electrical consumption by 11%.

Through smart, simple choices and a committed staff, monthly usage has dropped by five thousand kilowatt hours of electricity per month – the equivalent of 45 tonnes of carbon dioxide less being emitted into the atmosphere each year or taking 10 mid sized cars off the road for a year!

The embassy is also concentrating on reducing waste and paper consumption. An internal recycling program for bottles and cans, as well as items such as books, food, clothing and electronics benefits a local charity. Meetings are now paper free, with a commitment to reducing paper usage by 20% over the next three years. Paper that is used is produced from 75% recycled material and 25% sustainable tree plantations.

Recycling toners, batteries, and e-waste has diverted approximately 80 kilograms of potentially hazardous waste from local area landfills.

The embassy also eliminated the use of disposable plastic cups in the office keeping tens of thousands of cups from ending up in the garbage. In an effort to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the workplace, only eco-friendly cleaners are used.

An environmental committee was an early spin off from the embassy’s CSR action plan. Tasked with reducing the embassy’s carbon footprint, it began as an initiative by Canadian and Filipino staff wanting to make a difference. It now focuses on integrating environmental best practices into all areas of embassy operations, including the staff quarters of its diplomats.

“The priorities of the committee are to reduce energy consumption, improve solid waste management, suggest options for green procurement, eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances, improve water management and reduce the use of hazardous materials. Beyond that, the committee encourages its employees to think green in everything they do, whether at work or at home,” explained Christopher Thornley, Ambassador of Canada.

In celebration of Earth Day last year, embassy staff organized an activity at La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City to promote environmental awareness and allow staff an opportunity to “give back” to the community.

Working with Bantay Kalikasan, employees learned about reforestation efforts that have transformed the watershed and helped protect this essential source of drinking water for the residents of Metro Manila.

The staff also planted several hundred seedlings which were transplanted in the forest soon after. They also learned how to vermicompost, which helps turn waste into natural fertilizer.

As Manila’s third largest diplomatic mission, Canada has a number of staff in the Makati area.

The mission locates staff in neighbourhoods near the embassy so they can opt to cycle or walk to work and replaced all incandescent lighting at its 36 diplomatic residences with efficient compact fluorescent lighting. Ceiling fans were installed to cut down on air conditioner use.

Last month, the embassy launched its first annual Green Idea Awards contest, requesting green ideas from staff.

“The Green Idea Awards contest is a way to get all staff thinking about the environment and pitching in as we green the embassy. We asked staff to submit creative ideas that were easy to apply. Ideas like bringing in plants to the office, and giving staff cotton sacs to cut down on using plastic bags,” Mark Seniuk, chair of the embassy’s environmental committee explained.

Recently, Ambassador Thornley took delivery of two new 2011 Toyota Hybrid Prius to replace less fuel efficient vehicles in the embassy’s fleet.

Embassy driver Ressie Boloron said that “This is my first opportunity to use a hybrid vehicle – we haven’t had to fill the gas tank yet!”

In fact in Ottawa, it is a common sight to see Canadian government ministers using a Prius or other hybrid as an official vehicle.

In Vancouver, 50% of the city’s taxis are hybrid vehicles. It is the law in the province of British Columbia that all new taxis purchased by taxi companies must be hybrids or highly fuel efficient vehicles.

“Our technology will one day be powering vehicles whose only waste is water as Canadian fuel cell technology nears the commercialization stage. Maybe we will see the day when jeepneys here in the Philippines only drip water on the streets of Manila from their tailpipes. In the meantime, we can all do our part to make a difference for the environment,” Ambassador Thornley said.

Embassy of Canada Green Tips:

Switch to LED lighting.

Shut down all electronics at the end of the day.

Turn down the air conditioning.

Disable hot water heaters in water dispensers in the office.

Replace garbage bins in the office with smaller trash bins. (Studies have shown that reducing the size of garbage bins can dramatically reduce the amount of waste that is thrown out – in some cases by up to 50%.).

Eliminate use of disposable plastic cups in the office.

Start recycling light bulbs, batteries, and e-waste which will divert hazardous materials from landfills.

Replace all-purpose cleaning spray with eco-friendly alternative.

Use compact flourscent bulbs, which use less energy.

Switch to office paper produced from 75% recycled material and 25% sustainable tree plantations.

Bring plants to the office.

Carry a cotton sac with you to lessen the use of plastic bags.

Purchase hybrid or highly fuel efficient vehicles.

Have paperless meetings by projecting documents on an LCD screen.

Carpool, walk or cycle to work.

Install ceiling fans to cut down on the use of air conditioners.

During the day, draw the curtains in sunny rooms to keep the heat out.

Rinse clothes with cold water to lessen heating/energy usage.

Dry clothes by hanging rather than the dryer which is the 3rd largest energy user at home.

On a regular basis, send employees email tips on simple and easy ways to change their behavior. (Press Release)