Other Initiatives in
Canada in the field of Sustainability Research and Practices
There are
many Canadian initiatives in this field as concern over the level of
sustainability of economic and social activity grows. Research at Canadian
Universities is combining with a number of efforts within the Government of
Canada and non-governmental organizations as well as business and business
organizations to push
UNIVERSITIES
UBC established their Sustainability Office
in 1998. They formed this office to promote, co-ordinate and implement
practices in sustainability.
Their program is focused on reducing energy
and water usage on the campus as well as increasing recycling there as well.
They also run a Student Electronic
Network for Sustainability Courses to assist students interested in
finding courses that are relevant to this important issue.
York Centre for Applied Sustainability
YCAS was established six years ago as an ORU
within the University. Their mission is to promote the application of the
principles and practices of sustainability throughout society.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS (from http://www.sustreport.org)
Biomimicry
This organization, built on ideas from author Janine Benyrus,
explains the concept of looking at how nature creates, and how humans can learn
from nature to make our products in a less-destructive manner.
(www.biomimicry.net)
Canadian Policy
Research Networks
Its national Quality of Life Indicators project seeks measures of what really
matters to Canadians. (www.cprn.ca/cprn.html)
Coalition for
Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES)
Maintains information on policies and practices for sustainable business.
(www.ceres.org/)
Conference Board
of Canada
Policy institute whose clients include Canadian business, government and public
sector organizations. Partners include organizations with an interest in the
Canadian economy, public policies and organizational practices. A partner of the Sustainability Reporting Program.
(www2.conferenceboard.ca/)
See also the board's Business and
the Environment Program (www2.conferenceboard.ca/berp/)
The
Global Scenario Group
This independent, international group was created by the Stockholm
Environment Institute to examine the prospects for world development in the
21st century. The Boston-based GSG uses a number of techniques, including scenarios.
It has published a series of books on projections for the future, including
Great Transition, and Bending the Curve: Toward Global Sustainability.
(www.gsg.org)
Guideposts for a Sustainable Future
A nongovernmental organization that has been promoting principles and actions
for sustainable development. (www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain)
Helio International
This research-orientated, non-profit, international, non-governmental
organization monitors and reports on the
contribution of energy systems to an improved quality of life. It also reports
on the implementation of relevant environmental Conventions and principles. (www.helio-international.org/anglais/reports/canada.html).
It has produced a report on Canada
and energy (www.helio-international.org/anglais/reports/canada.html)
The Natural Step
This approach to planning for sustainability was developed in the late
1980s in response to growing concerns about the public health problems
resulting from increasing toxins in the
environment and current societal resource use practices. It provides a
framework for decision-making, including the meeting of four system conditions
for sustainability. (www.naturalstep.ca)
Pembina Institute
An independent organization working in three major
areas: energy and the environment; environmental economics; and sustainable
resource management. (www.pembina.org/)
Pollution Probe
One of Canada's major environment groups, has broadened its perspective to
environment and sustainability links. A major partner of the
Sustainability Reporting Program. (www.pollutionprobe.org/)
Population Action
International
A nongovernmental organization that advocates policies and programs that slow
population growth, and produces in-depth reports on the links between world
population growth and sustainability issues. (www.populationaction.org)
Redefining Progress
Does important work on the Genuine Progress Indicator,
an alternative to GDP as a measure of a nation's true wealth, and Ecological
Footprint, a measure of our impact on the environment. (www.rprogress.org/)
Rocky Mountain Institute
An entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and
restorative use of resources. Good source of information on innovative technologies
and energy conservation. (www.rmi.org/)
SD Gateway
The SD Gateway integrates the online information developed by a network of some
of the world's leading sustainable development institutes. (sdgateway.net)
Sustainable Development
Research Institute
An important centre of expertise on sustainability, based at the
Sustainable
Development Information Service
Country-level data and information on sustainable development and the
environment. A collaborative effort by the World Resources
Institute, the World Conservation Union and the International Institute for
Environment and Development. (www.wri.org/wri/sdis/)
Sustainable Measures
A source of information on sustainability indicators,
especially for the local level. (www.sustainablemeasures.com/)
World Resources Institute
Produces a wide range of information, including the
biennial World Resources Report, a compendium of global environment and
development statistics, in collaboration with UN agencies. World Resources
Report available on Web site. (www.wri.org)
Worldwatch
Institute
Major source of environmental information. Publishes State of the World series of books, as well as reports. Excerpts
from World Watch magazine available on Web site. (www.worldwatch.org)
World
Wildlife Fund Living Planet Index
The Living Planet Index is a measure of the natural wealth of the earth's
forests, freshwater ecosystems and oceans and coasts. (www.panda.org/livingplanet/lpr00/lpindex.cfm)
York Centre
for Applied Sustainability (YCAS)
This part of
BUSINESS AND BUSINESS
ORGANIZATIONS
Canadian Business for Social Responsibility
A national association of businesses working to
integrate financial, social and environmental performance into their business
practices. (www.cbsr.ca)
World Business Council for
Sustainable Development
(www.wbcsd.ch/)
Asahi Glass Annual Survey on Global Environment
Asahi Glass Foundation polls experts
around the world on the seriousness of global environment problems, and what
should be done. They publish results and move the hands on their Environmental
Doomsday Clock.
(www.af-info.or.jp/eng/questionnaire/questionnaire-e.html)
Interface Inc.
A
Environment
Canada
The main Canadian government department responsible for reporting on the state
of the environment and for regulating certain environmental activities that are
a federal responsibility. (www.ec.gc.ca/)
Environment
Canada's Sustainable Development Information System
(www.sdinfo.gc.ca/ENG/Default.cfm)
Environment
Canada, Ecological Monitoring Coordinating Office
(www.cciw.ca/eman/intro.html)
Environment Canada,
Indicators and SOE report
(www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/)
Environment
Canada, The Green Lane-Ontario Region
(www.cciw.ca/green-lane/or-home.html)
Foreign Affairs and
International Trade
Responsibilities include negotiating international environmental agreements and
reporting to the United Nations on what
Industry
Canada
Industry
Natural Resources Canada
The major natural resource department of the federal government, it provides
information on the environment, particularly in relation to energy, minerals,
and forestry. (http//www.nrcan.gc.ca)
Statistics
Canada
The nation's authoritative information centre on a very wide range of issues,
including environmental trends. Produces Human
Activities and the Environment report. (www.statcan.ca)
International Development
Research Centre
A public corporation created by the federal government
that helps people living in less developed nations find solutions to economic
and environmental problems through information sharing. (www.idrc.ca)
Commissioner
of the Environment and Sustainable Development
This is part of the office of
National
Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
Created in 1989 to be a centre of ideas in
Privy
Council Office Project on Trends
A major federal research project on trends that will
affect