Evaluation of 1997 WD SDS

The following document is out of date.

Like other organizations developing their first SDS, WD has found that in some cases we were able to achieve our intended objectives and targets and in other cases we were not able to achieve what was planned. WD recognizes that our SDS must be seen as an ongoing cyclical process of action and learning from experience. In order to provide a basis for continual improvement, WD has developed a procedure for the regular assessment of our SDS. The findings of each assessment are made available to managers, employees and stakeholders.

Scope of Evaluation
The assessment included a review of the Department’s SDS and EMS documentation and interviews with WD staff. The assessment focused on the following key areas:

• the goals, objectives and targets set in the 1997 strategy and performance against them;
• findings of audits and departmental internal audits and self-assessments of SD management processes;
• changing circumstances, including policy direction, legislation, activities, advances in science and technology and stakeholder interests; and
• the suitability of the proposed strategy.

Evaluation Findings
The initial use of the SDS Assessment procedure has resulted in the report (WD Sustainable Development Strategy 2000: Discussion Paper) that includes the following:

• a summary of changing circumstances;

• a summary of what the SDS has achieved to date; and

• an outline of assessment findings, lessons learned and steps that must be taken to ensure continual improvement.

Sustainable Development Strategy 2000: Discussion Paper was developed by WD to use as a basis for discussion and consultation with stakeholders and employees regarding both current and future sustainable development strategies.

Changes in Circumstance
As a relatively small organization of 340 employees in eight offices dispersed throughout the western provinces and in Ottawa, our ability to deliver on all of our SDS obligations during the past three years has been influenced by unexpected events such as the Red River flood, which consumed a large portion of departmental resources.

In order to support the development of an SDS in the department in accordance with ISO 14001, the process requirements of an EMS are being examined with a view to integrating the methods and tools of that system into departmental processes.

Achievements
The Department, despite being on a learning curve in implementing our SDS and managing events that compete for resources, has made considerable progress in achieving many of the objectives and targets that we set in our first SDS. A summary of achieved goals, objectives and targets established under the 1997 WD SDS is included as Appendix A.