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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.

Home / Environment and Sustainable Development Indicators for Canada

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.