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FINDING SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS

OUR PROCESS

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.

Environment and Sustainable Development Indicators for Canada

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RELEASED
2003

Canada’s decision-makers have no way of measuring whether our
country can maintain its current level of economic activity
and prosperity into the future. In the 2000 budget,
the federal government asked the NRTEE to “…develop
a set of indicators to measure environmental performance
in conjunction with economic performance.”

Working in close collaboration with Statistics
Canada and Environment Canada, the National Round Table
has developed six proposed new formal economic measures
or indicators. These indicators will augment familiar
economic data such as gross domestic product (GDP) and
the consumer price index (CPI).

Five of the recommended indicators measure
Canada’s natural capital – measuring trends
in forest cover, freshwater quality, air quality, greenhouse
gas emissions, and the extent of wetlands. The sixth
indicator measures educational attainment.