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Annual Report 2010-2011 – A Look Ahead

CURRENT MAJOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS

WATER SUSTAINABILITY AND CANADA’S NATURAL RESOURCE SECTORS

The Water Sustainability and Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors Program had an ambitious research agenda in fiscal year 2010–2011, releasing its initial report Changing Currents in June. A second report will be released in the fall of 2011, providing options, solutions, and recommendations for improving water management and governance in Canada. The report will look at water use forecasts for the natural resource sectors, the expected effects of water pricing on water use, water policy instruments, water use information, and collaborative governance.

CLIMATE PROSPERITY – THE ECONOMIC RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR CANADA

Climate change and Canada’s response to it have profound economic implications for our nation’s future. Ensuring Canada is well prepared to adapt and prosper in an increasingly carbon-constrained global economy is the focus of this comprehensive policy research initiative by the NRTEE, which began in 2009–2010 and which will continue to be a priority over the next year.

In 2011–2012, the NRTEE will release two reports in its Climate Prosperity series.

The first report will examine the economic impacts of climate change on Canada, together with a detailed look at three key impact areas: coastal zones, human health, and forests, and adaptation strategies in each of these areas will be assessed to determine the cost-benefits of climate change adaptation.

Building on the first three Climate Prosperity reports, the NRTEE will also finalize the development of a range of policy pathways and actions to help Canada take advantage of its potential to adapt to a changing climate, with a specific focus on the private sector. This work will lead to the release of a policy report in the last quarter of 2011–2012.

Work will also continue on charting Canada’s path to a low-carbon economy, including development of a low-carbon growth plan for Canada, with most of the research and convening activities being conducted in 2011– 2012. The report release is expected for the next fiscal year.

MINISTERIAL REFERENCES

In March 2011, the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, requested that the NRTEE provide advice to the Government of Canada in support of its environmental agenda. Specifically, advice was sought in two important areas, namely provincial and territorial climate change plans and policies, and potential life cycle approaches to enhance environmental sustainability. In 2011–2012 the Round Table will prepare its response to these requests from the Minister of the Environment. The deadline for providing the advice is March 2012.

On the first request, the NRTEE will engage discussions with provinces and territories in order to better understand their current and planned climate policies and programs. The NRTEE will then seek to analyze these plans, assess their potential for emissions reductions to meet the Government of Canada’s 2020 targets. We will provide advice to the Minister with respect to how these provincial and territorial measures can complement federal efforts toward emission reductions.

On the second request, the NRTEE will undertake research and engage with stakeholders on the topic of life cycle approaches to sustainable development. The NRTEE will provide advice to the Minister on how a life cycle approach can support the government’s environmental agenda. In particular, the Round Table will identify how the government can enhance the private sector’s efforts in this field and how life cycle approaches can support government decision makers in the development of governmental programs and policies.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM

Over the past fiscal year, the NRTEE’s communications and public affairs agenda has focused on the development and implementation of a strong, integrated strategic communications strategy that will guide the Round Table’s communications activities and initiatives for the next two years. In addition to supporting the release of the Round Table’s reports, the communications strategy provides clear directives for improving our capacity to be more strategic in how we communicate, with whom we communicate, and when we communicate.

The Round Table’s website continued to evolve during the year — both technologically and with respect to content. These enhancements, when coupled with the continued shift to electronic publishing, saw more than 360,000 visitors to the website during 2010–2011. The NRTEE’s communications and outreach efforts continue to be marked by an evolution to electronic publishing, with three reports — Progress through Process, Climate Forward, and Oil Sands Dialogue — being released in purely electronic form. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of printed copies produced, generally from the thousands to hundreds.

To further maximize the effectiveness and reach of its online communications activities, the NRTEE will undertake a visual and functional redesign and rebranding of its website during 2011–2012. This work will be informed by the NRTEE’s communications strategy, social media strategic assessment, web analytics reports, and a web development vision and strategy document.

MEDIA OUTREACH AND PRESENCE

Media presence and relations are a key aspect of the work of the NRTEE communications team, and a measure of the influence and reach of the Round Table. In 2010–2011, the Round Table achieved significant presence in national and regional media, particularly in support of its key reports and initiatives.

Media coverage following the launch of Parallel Paths was exhaustive with over 30 media outlets from across Canada reporting on the latest addition to the NRTEE’s Climate Prosperity series. Degrees of Change, the NRTEE/ RCGS collaborative initiative, drew coverage from over 100 media outlets from across Canada and abroad, with major global news agencies, national and regional radio programs, television outlets and influential newspapers in Canada reporting on the widespread impacts expected in Canada as the climate changes over the coming century. In addition to media attention garnered following the launch of its latest reports, the NRTEE continued to receive national media coverage on a number of issues including emissions reductions, energy, and climate change.

PROMOTING NRTEE ADVICE

Promoting the research and policy advice of the Round Table is essential to raising awareness and influencing government. The NRTEE promotes its advice through media relations, its website, direct electronic distribution to stakeholders, as well as by undertaking outreach activities, speaking engagements, and collaborative activities with non-governmental sectors, stakeholders, academia, and other organizations. Each targeted audience and activity is critical to the agency’s efforts to reinforce its acknowledged reputation as a credible and trustworthy source of research and advice.

REPORT DOWNLOAD STATISTICS:

Electronic publishing has helped to extend the NRTEE’s outreach to its stakeholders and reduce the number and cost of hard-copy reports. Access to publications via the website has not only permitted immediate access to our stakeholders, it has significantly increased the distribution levels.

Website content from the NRTEE/RCGS Collaboration “Degrees of Change” has garnered over 300,000 page views since October 5, 2010.