Introduction
Sustainable development is the path to the formation of a stable organizations’ development through time. It is composed of four categories, including economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability (Sustainable Development). The economic factor is concerned with potential capital gains in the future, while the environmental factor deals with ecological balance and pollution control. Social sustainability involves making sure the safety and health of people are maintained. The cultural aspect ensures the conservation of the way of life of people. In Canada, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) is in control of custom border services. The CBSA is in charge of delivering consolidated border services that enhance national security and public safety precedence (CBSA, 2020). This agency also facilitates the unrestricted mobility of individuals and commodities, as well as plants and animals, that fulfill all legislative standards.
Past
The CBSA took the following steps in the past to ensure environmental sustainability. According to CBSA, environmental sustainability is defined as engaging appropriately with the environment to reduce the exhaustion of natural resources and improve the long-term quality of an ecosystem (2014). Unroadworthy cars were eliminated earlier in 2005, resulting in a modest reduction in fleet emissions (CBSA, 2014). To cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the CBSA began purchasing electric and hybrid vehicles. The agency also identified documents to be digitized over time to decrease the need for printing and operational waste (CBSA, 2014). The CBSA promotes greener travel choices, such as ridesharing and public transportation. Staff in Ottawa, for example, can use a shuttle service to travel between corporate buildings (CBSA, 2014). This initiative was previously anticipated to lower carbon dioxide emissions. To reduce emissions from corporate travel, the CBSA urges its workers to explore and use videoconferencing where possible. In 2019, new video conference technology was installed all around the country to support online conferences.
Present
In the planning and development of its port facilities, the CBSA has adopted an active commitment to energy conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. During the construction of ports St. Stephen, NB, Osoyoos, BC, and Clarenceville, QB ground source heat pumps were installed. Initial arrangements plan to implement this technique at new ports in Aldergrove, BC, and Kingsgate, BC (Maloney, 2013). The agency is using photovoltaics in the building of Stanstead, PQ, and Douglas, BC. structures. Photovoltaics produce no pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions (Maloney, 2013). They generate renewable power by converting light into electrical energy. Furthermore, the CBSA uses earth tubes in Douglas to cool the structure naturally. In the Armstrong facility, a cistern is used to collect rainwater for powering the fire suppression system.
Future
The CBSA’s departmental sustainable development plan (DSDS) for 2020-2023 promises that; it will emit less carbon, minimize waste, and restrict invasive species from entering Canada’s ecosystem. In addition, the CBSA intends to upgrade its infrastructure, foster innovation, and decrease its environmental footprint. The agency wants to cut 40 percent of its GHG emissions (CBSA, 2020). The CBSA plans to take the following steps in the future to ensure environmental sustainability. Firstly, it will recycle and reduce waste materials in future repairs and demolition activities. Secondly, through enhanced videoconferencing infrastructure, the CBSA will continue encouraging paperless meetings and eco-friendly events, thereby reducing waste. Finally, most of its custodial assets are old and need renovations. To solve this, the agency has created the Land Border Crossing Project (LBCP), a real estate strategy to upgrade its custodial infrastructure. All existing infrastructure in the future will get energy-efficient retrofits (CBSA, 2020). The retrofits will significantly reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. Moreover, the CBSA will include climate change resilience into the project’s architecture, development, and operations. This program is expected to lower the GHG emissions of the agency.
References
Sustainable Development. (n.d.). Web.
CBSA. (2014). Archived – Sustainable Development Strategy 2014–2017. Www.Cbsa-Asfa.Gc.Ca. Web.
CBSA. (2020). Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2020 to 2023. Www.Cbsa-Asfc.Gc.Ca.
Maloney, N. (2013). CBSA Land Border Infrastructure. Www.Slideserve.Com.