ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH
MEASUREMENT
Canadian Sustainability
Indicator Initiatives
2nd National Conference
March 2 and 3, 2010
Toronto, ON Canada
THE SUSTAINABLE MCGILL PROJECT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
McGill University
Montreal, Québec
GOAL:
A student led initiative working towards a more
environmentally sustainable and socially just campus society.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Ecosystem Sustainability Assessment Report,
Toilets, Trees and Travel (2005).
Solid Waste Indicator Set
Ecosystem Sustainability Assessment of McGill University: Trees, Toilets,
and Travel (2007)
ATLANTIC CANADA SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Centre for Rural Sustainability
Atlantic Canada
GOAL:
Building greater regional collaboration on and support for
sustainability in Atlantic Canada.
KEY
PRODUCTS: ACSI Strategic Plan 2008-2011.
The Sustainability Bulletin
http://www.atlanticsustainability.ca/news/sustbulletin.htm
CANADIAN INDEX OF WELLBEING
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Institute of Wellbeing
Toronto, Ontario
GOAL:
To report on the quality of life of Canadians, and to
promote a dialogue about the types of policies and programs that
will move us closer toward achieving wellbeing.
KEY
PRODUCTS: How Are Canadians Really Doing? (2009);
Community Vitality (2009).
Headline indicators for community vitality.
http://www.ciw.ca/en/TheCanadianIndexOfWellbeing/DomainsOfWellbeing/CommunityVitality/Hea
dlineIndicators.aspx
REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY (RGS) MONITORING PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Capital Region District
Region of Victoria, British Columbia
GOAL:
A suite of over fifty indicators chosen to evaluate the
success of regional initiatives and implementation of the RGS.
KEY
PRODUCTS: State of the Region Report, 2008 Regional
Growth Strategy Five-Year Monitoring Review.
Sample solid waste indicator.
State of the Region Report (2008).
NWT STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Government of the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
GOAL:
To provide information about our changing environment;
to identify trends and help make policy decisions.
KEY
PRODUCTS: State of the Environment Report (2009).
Vegetation indicator.
State of the Environment Report (2009).
TORONTO’S SOCIAL LANDSCAPE REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Social Planning Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
To paint a picture of Toronto’s population and the major
trends impacting its residents.
GOAL:
PRODUCTS: Toronto’s Social Landscape - Ten Year Trends
(2009).
KEY
Education indicators.
Toronto’s Social Landscape - Ten Year Trends (2009)
SUSTAINABLE PICKERING
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
City of Pickering
Pickering, Ontario
GOAL:
Working to make Pickering a more sustainable city environmentally, socially, and economically.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Measuring Sustainability Progress Report (in
development).
Measuring sustainability.
http://sustainablepickering.com/measuringsustainabilityc18.php
UBC SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
By harnessing UBC’s immense physical and intellectual
resources, we’re working to develop positive solutions for today’s
ecological challenges.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Inspirations and Aspirations, a sustainability
strategy (2007); UBC Sustainability Report (2009).
Biodiversity indicators.
UBC Sustainability Report, 2006-2007.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd.
Mississauga, Ontario
GOAL:
The AECL Environmental Policy commits the AECL to the
concept of sustainable development.
KEY
PRODUCTS: AECL Annual Environmental Performance
Report (2007).
Environmental Protection Program.
http://www.aecl.ca/Development/Environment/EPP.htm
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
GOAL:
A student led initiative working towards a more
environmentally sustainable and socially just campus society.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Ecosystem Sustainability Assessment Report,
Toilets, Trees and Travel (2005).
Greenhouse Gas emissions chart.
http://sustainability.utoronto.ca/projects/ghg/buildings.htm
CANMORE COMMUNITY MONITORING PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
Canmore, Alberta
GOAL:
To monitor developing trends, assist with decision
making, serve as an early detection system, and illustrate
progress towards the community’s vision.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Canmore Community Monitoring Program
(2003, 2006, 2008).
Conceptual land use map.
Canmore Community Monitoring Program (2008).
SUSTAINABLE HALTON
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Region of Halton
Halton Region, Ontario
Sustainable Halton is the region’s response to the
province’s Places To Grow Plan. It identifies urban growth areas
to 2031, and what land will be preserved for wildlife, greenspace
and farmland.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainable Halton Growth Management Plan
Evaluation Framework (2008); From Policy to Practice (2009).
Sustainable Halton Timeline
http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=9382
THE WAY AHEAD: CITY OF EDMONTON STRATEGIC PLAN
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
City of Edmonton
Edmonton, Alberta
GOAL:
A ten year strategic plan highlighting how the City is
working to achieve the Edmonton envisioned by its citizens.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Annual State of the City Reports measures
Edmonton’s progress towards these goals.
Compilation of select indicators.
City of Edmonton State of the City Report (2007).
SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION STUDY
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention
Mississauga, Ontario
GOAL:
A primary research study of consumer purchasing
behaviour. The results suggest possible actions that could lead to
increased adoption of sustainable consumption in our purchasing
decisions.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainable Consumption: How Do We
Encourage Consumers to Purchase Sustainably? (2009)
Sustainability Issues in Purchasing
Sustainable Consumption: How Do We Encourage Consumers to Consume
Sustainably? (2009)
SYNCRUDE SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
North of Fort McMurray, Alberta
GOAL:
A comprehensive discussion about the social, economic
and environmental impacts of Syncrude’s business activities.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainability Reports (2002 - 2007).
Key Air Indicators.
Syncrude 2007 Sustainability Report.
SHELL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Shell Canada
Calgary, Alberta
GOAL:
Intended to provide stakeholders with a balanced
representation of the company’s economic, environmental and
social performance.
KEY
2006).
PRODUCTS: Sustainable Development Report (2005,
Environmental performance indicators.
Shell 2006 Sustainable Development Report.
CANADIAN CEMENT INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Cement Association of Canada
Montreal, Quebec
GOAL:
Through collective action by its members, the CAC
promotes the sustainable growth of the cement industry.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Canadian Cement Industry Sustainability
Report (2006, 2008).
Air pollutant releases chart.
Canadian Cement Industry Sustainability Report 2006.
NESTLÉ CANADA SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Nestlé Canada Inc.
North York, Ontario
GOAL:
Actions are taken at improving the environmental
sustainability of Nestlé products throughout their life cycle.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Environmental Sustainability Report (2008)
Environmental Performance
Indicators.
Nestlé Canada Environmental Sustainability Report 2008.
ONTARIO COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
The Pembina Institute
Drayton Valley, Alberta
GOAL:
A report to inform and provide a basis of measurement
for urban sustainable policies and program development.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Ontario Community Sustainability Report
(2007).
Study indicators.
Ontario Community Sustainability Report (2007).
FOCUSING OUR ENERGY
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s, Newfoundland
To ensure the province’s energy resources contribute to
a vibrant and sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Focusing Our Energy (2009).
Wind Energy Potential
Focusing Our Energy (2009).
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MINING
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Mining Association of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
A strategy for improving the mining industry’s
performance by aligning its actions with the priorities and values
of Canadians.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Towards Sustainable Mining Progress Report
(2007, 2009).
TSM Frameworks and Protocols.
Towards Sustainable Mining Update Bulletin (January 2010).
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2007-2009
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
GOAL:
The SDS is an important tool to help the department
deliver on its mandate and take environmental, economic and
social considerations into account in decision making.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainable Development Strategies (2001,
2005, 2007); Our Waters, Our Future, Strategic Plan 2005-2010.
Selected indicator table.
Sustainable Development Strategy, 2007-2009.
SUSTAINABLE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Sustainable Forest Management Network
Edmonton, Alberta
GOAL:
To develop criteria and indicators for Aboriginal Peoples
and their social and economic development.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Early in development.
Sustainable Aboriginal Communities
Research Area webpage.
http://www.sfmnetwork.ca/html/inbrief_aboriginal_communities_e.html
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2007-2009
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Parks Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Parks Canada’s SDS provides a roadmap for integrating
the principles of sustainable development into its policies,
programs, legislation and operations.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: State of the Protected Heritage Areas Report
(2005, 2007).
Selected indicator chart.
State of Protected Heritage Areas Report (2005 - 2007).
ENVIRONMENTAL MASTER PLAN
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
City of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
GOAL:
To set out a series of actions for the municipality to take,
in the short and long terms, to improve the city’s environment.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Environmental Master Plan (2006); Report on
the State of our Environment (2008).
Attitudes to the Environment indicator
City of Windsor’s Report on the State of our Environment (2008).
LOCAL FOOD PLUS CERTIFIED LOCAL SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Local Food Plus
Toronto, Ontario
GOAL:
Local Food Plus nurtures regional food economies by
certifying farmers and processors for local sustainable production.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Certification Program
Farmer Certification Flow Chart
http://www.localfoodplus.ca/information_for_farmers_and_processors.certification_for_farmers.g
k
REINA ROSS ECO-INDUSTRIAL PARK
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Regina Eco-Industrial Network Association
Regina, Saskatchewan
To transform one of Regina’s largest industrial districts into a
high performance eco-industrial park.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Ross Industrial Park Baseline Study.
Electricity and water consumption figures.
Ross Park Industrial Park Baseline Study
TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLAN
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Town of Collingwood
Montreal, Quebec
GOAL:
The plan provides a framework for sustainable decision
making by building on the solid foundation of work already under
way at the Town.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainable Community Plan (2008).
Characteristics and Categories of a
Sustainable Collingwood.
Sustainable Community Plan for the Town of Collingwood (2008).
GTAA PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Toronto, Ontario
GOAL:
To create the Pearson Eco-Business Zone, envisioned to be
internationally recognized for competitive, high performance, and ecofriendly business climate.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Project Green Programs (online).
Program implementation and monitoring
framework.
Partners in Project Green Final Report (2008).
VISIONS TO ACTION: CITY OF ROSSLAND
STRATEGIC SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
City of Rossland
Rossland, British Columbia
The Plan provides long term objectives to guide the city’s
journey to a sustainable future.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Visions to Action: City of Rossland Strategic
Sustainability Plan (2009).
Focus Area Indicator Table
Visions To Action (2009).
CITY OF LEDUC GENUINE WELL-BEING REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
City of Leduc
Leduc, Alberta
GOAL:
To test the viability of the framework to measure and
monitor the community’s overall well-being, quality of life, vitality,
and long term sustainability.
KEY
PRODUCTS: City of Leduc 2005 Genuine Well-being
Report.
Partial listing of Genuine Well-being Indicators; Leduc
Genuine Well-being Index Flower.
City of Leduc 2005 Genuine Well-being Report.
SOUTH OKANAGAN REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Penticton, British Columbia
GOAL:
The RGS is a long term planning project that aims to ensure
that growth takes place in the south Okanagan in a sustainable manner.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Issues to Vision Report; South Okanagan Regional
Growth Strategy.
Key Performance Indicator Chart.
South Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy.
GLOBAL CITY INDICATORS PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Global City Indicators Facility
Toronto, Ontario
GOAL:
Provides a standardized set of indicators with a
globalized methodology to allow for global comparability of city
performance and knowledge sharing.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Global City Indicators Program (2009)
Selected GCIF Indicators
GCIF Indicators (Jan 2010) from http://www.cityindicators.org/ProjectDeliverables.aspx
MEASURING ECO-EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
National Round Table on the Environment and the
Economy (NRTEE).
LOCATION:
Ottawa, Ontario
GOAL:
The NRTEE has developed and tested decision rules and
definitions for energy, waste, and water intensity indicators.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Eco-efficiency Indicators Workbook (2001).
Core Energy Intensity Indicator.
NRTEE Eco-efficiency Workbook (2001).
HOW CANADA PERFORMS
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
The Conference Board of Canada
Montreal, Quebec
GOAL:
A multi-year research initiative to help identify strengths
and weaknesses in Canada’s socio-economic performance.
KEY
PRODUCTS: How Canada Performs - interactive website
at www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp.
Employment Growth Indicator
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/HCP/Details/Economy/employment-growth.aspx
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Centre for Sustainable Transportation
Winnipeg, Manitoba
GOAL:
The STPI project sought to develop sets of transportation
indicators to monitor progress of Canadian systems towards
sustainability.
KEY
PRODUCTS: 14 key indicators developed and presented in
Phase III Project Report.
Sustainable Transportation Performance
Indicator Set.
STPI Synopsis (2010).
SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FRAMEWORK
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Industry Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
GOAL:
The framework brings together and adapts business and
community sustainability indicators to be applied to bound
geographic industrial areas.
KEY
PRODUCTS: 72 indicators developed in the Performance
Indicators Framework Final Report (2005).
Proposed Water and Land
Use Indicators.
Sustainable Industries Indicators Framework, Final
Report (2005).
CRP GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Calgary Regional Partnership
Cochrane, Alberta
GOAL:
To assist the region in planning for and managing the
impacts of long term growth, by generating information and
discussion of identified issues.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Regional Growth and Sustainability
Framework (2007).
Regional Growth and
Sustainability Framework Initiative.
CRP Business Plan (2006).
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN 2009-2013
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Hydro Québec
Montreal, Québec
GOAL:
A set of ten actions to reach objectives identified in the
province of Québec’s Government Sustainable Development
Strategy 2008-2013.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainability Report (2002 - 2008).
Energy Efficiency Indicators
Sustainability Report 2008.
TECK SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Teck Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia
GOAL:
The long term objective is to co-create with stakeholders
a more comprehensive, company wide sustainability plan.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Sustainability Report (2008).
Performance indicators chart.
Sustainability Report (2008).
ENCANA CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
EnCana
Calgary, Alberta
GOAL:
EnCana strives to: provide relevant and timely information so
stakeholders can made independent assessments and informed decisions; and
to track our performance so we can identify areas that need improvement.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Corporate Responsibility Report (2004 - 2008).
Environmental indicators.
Corporate Responsibility Report (2008).
BMO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND CRPA REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Bank of Montreal Financial Group
Toronto, Ontario
To report on BMO’s Environmental Action Plan, which
applies to global business operations.
GOAL:
KEY
PRODUCTS: Corporate Responsibility Report and Public
Accountability Statement (2008).
2008 Performance Report
Corporate Responsibility Report and Public Accountability
Statement (2008).
TRANSALTA SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
TransAlta Corporation
Calgary, Alberta
GOAL:
TransAlta is sharing its perspective on the future of clean
energy through its annual report on sustainability.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Report on Sustainability.
Systemic indicators.
Report on Sustainability (2008).
FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING INDEX
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Gatineau, Québec
GOAL:
The CWB is a first step towards a deeper understanding of the
socio-economic conditions in First Nations communities and their wellbeing relative to other communities in Canada.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Measuring First Nations Well-Being report; significant
online academic analysis.
CWB Levels in Canada.
Measuring First Nations Well-Being
TELUS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OVERVIEW
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Telus Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia
GOAL:
To contribute to a better world by ensuring long-term corporate
economic viability, supporting the communities where we live, work and
serve by being stewards of the environment.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Corporate Social Responsibility Report (2008).
Select performance indicators.
Corporate Social Responsibility Report (2008).
THE STATE OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Regional District of Nanaimo
Nanaimo, British Columbia
GOAL:
This report identifies the characteristics of a sustainable
region, and using indicators, measures the region’s sustainability status
against the expressed targets.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Creating Our Sustainable Future (2007); State of
Sustainability Report (2006).
Economic capital progress
report.
State of Sustainability Report (2006).
CANADA POST SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Canada Post Corporation
Ottawa, Ontario
GOAL:
The report covers all aspects of corporate and workplace
activities, supplier and environmental initiatives, and community
involvement.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Social Responsibility Report (2008).
Key Performance Indicators.
Social Responsibility Report (2008).
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Government of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
GOAL:
SOE reporting is built around environmental indicators,
including indicators that monitor and track environmental
conditions, pressures, and stewardship.
KEY
PRODUCTS: SOE reports available online, updated
regularly as new data becomes available; Environment Annual
Report (2008).
Drinking water safety indicator.
Environment Annual Report (2008).
INDICATORS OF WELL-BEING IN CANADA
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
GOAL:
Its purpose is to systematically present measures and report on
various aspects of well-being that are important to Canadians.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Ecosystem Sustainability Assessment Report,
Toilets, Trees and Travel (2005).
Measuring Well-being framework.
http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=14
ANTIGONISH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ORGANIZATION:
LOCATION:
Town of Antigonish
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
GOAL:
A proposal to establish vital resources for implementing a
sustainable development framework for organizations, institutions and
communities in the Antigonish area.
KEY
PRODUCTS: Engagement For Results Framework (2007);
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (2009 - draft).
ICSP model for Antigonish area.
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (2009 - draft).