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This executive summary by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues for the adoption of natural infrastructure—such as conserved wetlands and restored riparian areas—to address aging water infrastructure and climate vulnerabilities in the Canadian Prairies. The document advocates for a shift away from 'grey' infrastructure (dams, pipes) toward nature-based solutions to manage water supply, treat wastewater, and mitigate disasters like floods and droughts.

This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development describes the economic impact and growth potential of the natural infrastructure sector in the Canadian Prairies, with a specific focus on Saskatchewan. It defines natural infrastructure as a method of planning and working with nature to meet needs such as wastewater treatment, flood protection, and drinking water supply.

This report analyzes the economic returns of 10 water retention projects in the Seine, Rat, and Roseau watersheds of Manitoba, Canada, finding that these projects provide significant co-benefits for livestock farm operations and the local watershed.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement mourning the death of James "Jim" Carr, a former IISD board member and vice-chair who served in that role from 2000 to 2008.

This report advocates for the establishment of the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in northern Manitoba, Canada, highlighting the region's biodiversity, carbon storage capacity, and cultural importance to Indigenous Peoples.

This report summarizes a virtual workshop hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) on June 23, 2022, focused on the monitoring and modelling of water retention projects in the Canadian Prairies. The event brought together 20 participants from government, academia, and industry to share research on the effectiveness of small dams, retention ponds, and wetlands in managing water quantity and nutrient loads, specifically phosphorus. The workshop highlighted the technical challenges of monitoring in cold climates, the use of new technologies like UV-Vis spectrometers, and the need for better business cases to encourage the adoption of natural infrastructure by agricultural producers.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the costs and economic benefits of 10 water retention projects implemented between 2014 and 2020 in the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District of Manitoba. The analysis finds that for livestock producers, the average benefit-cost ratio is 3.16, with benefits including improved water quality, extended grazing, and reduced operational costs. While most projects showed a positive return on investment, those on crop-only farms were more likely to have costs outweighing benefits due to high upfront construction expenses.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that Canada can enhance its energy security by transitioning from volatile fossil fuel markets to a renewable-based electrified system. It asserts that wind and solar are now more cost-effective than gas or coal and that Canada's existing hydroelectric capacity provides the necessary flexibility to integrate variable renewable energy without compromising grid reliability.

This report summarizes a virtual workshop hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) on June 23, 2022, which focused on monitoring and modelling for water retention projects in the Canadian Prairies. The event brought together 20 participants from government, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry to share research and identify collaboration opportunities to advance water retention science and business case development.

This report outlines the necessity and pathways for electrifying heating in Canada's commercial and institutional (C&I) buildings to meet 2050 net-zero targets. It argues that electricity's share of C&I heating must rise from under 15% to at least 75% by 2050. The document identifies key barriers—including cheap natural gas and financing gaps—and proposes five catalysts: near-term planning, integrated utility regulation, aligned power supply planning, building performance standards, and innovative public-private financing.

This report advocates for the rapid electrification of heating in Canada's commercial and institutional buildings to meet 2050 net-zero targets. It argues that electricity's share of heating must rise from under 15% to at least 75% by 2050. To overcome barriers like low natural gas prices and high capital costs, the report proposes five catalysts: short-term corporate action plans, updated regulatory mandates for utilities, harmonized energy planning, building performance standards, and new public-private financing models.

This report evaluates the economic value of ecosystem benefits in the Seal River Watershed of Northern Manitoba, Canada, highlighting its role in biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation through Indigenous-led stewardship.

This briefing summarizes a joint survey conducted in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba during 2020–21 to assess the climate adaptation priorities and progress of municipalities and Indigenous communities in the Prairie provinces.

A 2020 survey of 70 producers in Manitoba, Canada, found that age, education, farm size, and financial assistance significantly impact the adoption of agri-environmental beneficial management practices (BMPs). The primary barriers to adoption are high upfront and maintenance costs and a lack of financial support, while participation in the Living Lab program increased the likelihood of future BMP adoption.

This research paper examines the socio-economic drivers, barriers, and incentives affecting the adoption of agri-environmental beneficial management practices (BMPs) among farmers in Manitoba, drawing on a 2020 survey of 70 producers associated with the Living Lab – Eastern Prairies initiative.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Clean Prosperity examines the design and implementation of a border carbon adjustment (BCA) for Canada. It analyzes how a BCA could prevent carbon leakage—where emissions-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) industries relocate or are undercut by foreign competitors—while maintaining WTO compliance. The document explores various design scenarios, identifies the most vulnerable Canadian sectors, and evaluates the potential impact of similar regimes being developed in the United States and the European Union.

This fact sheet provides a series of maps characterizing the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) and the Manitoba portion of the broader Winnipeg River basin (WRB). It details the basin's geography—with the WRB covering 136,840 km2 and the LWRB covering 4,650 km2—and includes spatial data on surficial geology, land cover, forest cover, zoning, Indigenous presence, 2016 population density, and drinking water advisories.

This fact sheet describes the geological, soil, and land cover characteristics of the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB), noting its dominance by forested land and Precambrian bedrock.

This fact sheet describes the hydrology of the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB), focusing on river discharge, water levels, and the role of hydroelectric generating stations. It provides historical discharge data, climate projections for the 2050s, and discusses the river's contribution to Lake Winnipeg's water volume and nutrient loading.

This fact sheet provides a historical overview of the lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB), detailing its evolution from an Indigenous transportation route and fur trade corridor to a hub for hydroelectric power, mining, forestry, and tourism.