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FINDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

Our process helps Canada achieve sustainable development solutions that integrate environmental and economic considerations to ensure the lasting prosperity and well-being of our nation.

RESEARCH

We rigorously research and conduct high quality analysis on issues of sustainable development. Our thinking is original and thought provoking.

CONVENE

We convene opinion leaders and experts from across Canada around our table to share their knowledge and diverse perspectives. We stimulate debate and integrate polarities. We create a context for possibilities to emerge.

ADVISE

We generate ideas and provide realistic solutions to advise governments, Parliament and Canadians. We proceed with resolve and optimism to bring Canada’s economy and environment closer together.

New NRT Report

October 18, 2012

Framing the Future: Embracing the Low-Carbon Economy

A low-carbon economy is no longer a concept of the future. Governments around the world are moving ahead, and a number of jurisdictions already have formal low-carbon growth plans in place. Our research and convening led to a clear conclusion: Canada is well positioned to thrive in a low-carbon context but needs to act now to maximize the potential benefits. [Read the report]

Message from the NRT

logoThe federal government announced in its recent Budget that the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRT) will be eliminated as of March 31, 2013. During this period, the NRT will complete its current agenda and release scheduled reports on water sustainability and the natural resources sectors, business resilience to climate change, pathway to a low-carbon economy, life-cycle approaches to sustainable development, and federal-provincial progress towards Canada’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reductions target. This respects both our legislative responsibilities and our public commitments to governments, Parliament, and our many stakeholders who have worked closely with us over the past few years giving us their input and guidance on building sustainable pathways for Canada. Our advice remains independent and non-partisan, offered as a public contribution to all Canadians interested and engaged in sustainable development issues. As part of an orderly transition and wind-up of the organization, the NRT will seek to make available its tremendous history of reports and advice from the past 25 years for those who might wish to draw upon it in the years ahead.

Recent Reports

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Reality Check: The State of Climate Progress in Canada

Despite making progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Canada is not on track to achieve the federal government’s 2020 reduction target of 17% below 2005 levels, concludes a new report by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Canada will not achieve its 2020 GHG emission reductions target unless significant new, additional measures are taken. More will have to be done. No other conclusion is possible[ Read the report]


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Canada’s Opportunity: Adopting Life Cycle Approaches for Sustainable Development

Canada’s Opportunity provides an overview of Life Cycle Approaches in use in Canada and elsewhere, the risks and opportunities related to their uptake, the conditions for their successful adoption in the private and public sectors, and identifies actions that the government can take to support their application.

It sets out the risks faced by Canadian companies that are unprepared for or unable to comply easily or quickly with existing or anticipated foreign government regulations that require product life cycle disclosure. It also identifies opportunities for companies that adopt a Life Cycle Approach to achieve better supply-chain performance, internal operation efficiencies, and increased institutional capacity to enhance innovation and support environmental stewardship. [Read the report]


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Facing the Elements: Building Business Resilience in a Changing Climate

Our “Advisory Report” to government and “Business Primer” for companies set out practical information, advice, and recommendations on the business case for climate adaptation and how this can positively affect bottom lines. With practical case studies and real-world examples from “climate pacesetting companies”, we show what business and government can do now to build business resilience and ensure continued prosperity while facing the elements. [Read the reports]


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Moving to Action: NRT National Water Forum Report

This report summarizes the discussions and deliberations of the NRT’s National Water Forum held in January 2012. It lays out a pathway to a proposed action plan to improve the management and governance of Canada’s water resources so they are sustainable for industry use. The Forum brought together experts from across Canada to discuss recommendations offered in the NRT report Charting a Course: Sustainable Water Use by Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors, and provide advice on how these could be put into action. [Read more]

Latest Events See more events

March 26-27, 2012 – MacDonald-Laurier Institute Conference READ
MORE

March 26-27, 2012 – MacDonald-Laurier Institute Conference

The MacDonald-Laurier Institute hosted a conference entitled “Moving Canada ahead: Fuelling prosperity and sustainability in our transport system” on March 26-27, 2012 in Toronto. NRT President and CEO, David McLaughlin chaired a panel dealing with “fuel system sustainability: the international experience”.

Read More
March 21, 2012 – The Canada Institute READ
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March 21, 2012 – The Canada Institute

The Canada Institute held an event at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars entitled “So Canada Left Kyoto: Why? And What’s Next” on March 21st, 2012 in Washington D.C.

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NRT Founding Chair

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada

“…our desire for a modern economy and our duty to a sustainable environment are not mutually exclusive — they are mutually reinforcing. Indeed, one requires the other.”

– His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada – October 5, 2010

© Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (2010)
Photo credit: Sgt Serge Gouin, Rideau Hall
Reproduced with the permission of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

Our Members

Richard Prokopanko +

Richard Prokopanko

Director, Government Relations
Rio Tinto Alcan Inc
Vancouver, British Columbia

Mark Parent +

Mark Parent

NRTEE Vice-Chair

Former Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Labour
Canning, Nova Scotia

Robert (Bob) W. Mills +

Robert (Bob) W. Mills

International Advisor, Globe International
Senior Advisor, Plasco Energy Group
Red Deer, Alberta

Donald MacKinnon +

Donald MacKinnon

President
Power Workers’ Union
Toronto, Ontario

Robert Kulhawy +

Robert Kulhawy

Executive Chairman
Calco Environmental Group

Franklin Holtforster +

Franklin Holtforster

President and Chief Executive Officer
MHPM Project Managers Inc.

Robert W. Slater, C.M. +

Robert W. Slater, C.M.

NRTEE Vice-Chair

Adjunct Professor
Environmental Policy
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario

Christopher Hilkene +

Christopher Hilkene

President
Clean Water Foundation
Toronto, Ontario

Timothy Haig +

Timothy Haig

Director and Past President and CEO, BIOX Corporation
Past Chair, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association
Oakville, Ontario

The Honourable Pauline Browes, P.C. +

The Honourable Pauline Browes, P.C.

Former Federal Cabinet Minister
Former Vice-Chair
Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal
Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
Toronto, Ontario

David John Bishop +

David John Bishop

Partner
McKercher LLP
Regina, Saskatchewan

Welcome to the NRT's New Website

MESSAGE FROM THE NRT PRESIDENT AND CEO

At the NRT, we bring the environment and the economy together. We conduct research and convene Canadians to develop innovative policy advice and ideas. We find sustainable pathways to move Canada forward.

We’re undertaking more research and holding more events than ever before. And we want you to know about it.

Please browse our site for NRT reports, events and news. What we’ve done and what’s ahead.

Take a moment and let us know what you think via our comments page too.

The NRT – Canada’s Round Table.

David McLaughlin
NRT President and CEO

Conversation

Join the conversation

We believe that achieving sustainable development requires collaboration and participation by all Canadians. Everyone has a role to play in finding and implementing the solutions that will preserve our environment and ensure our prosperity in the future.