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The study finds that Canadian municipalities spend millions annually managing single-use plastic (SUP) waste, though specific costs are often undertracked. Plastics comprise approximately 15% of both garbage and recycling streams by weight. The report highlights significant data gaps for items like vaping devices and tampon applicators, which are frequently found in wastewater screenings but rarely in solid waste audits. Environmental analysis shows cigarette butts are the most abundant SUP by count, while bottles and cups dominate by mass. A critical economic finding is the potential risk to Canadian agriculture, where microplastic pollution could lead to annual crop production value losses between CAD 0.5 and 2.16 billion. To address these issues, the authors developed a Plastic Waste Cost Calculator for local authorities and recommend transitioning to volumetric waste measurements and establishing a universal flushability standard for wipes.

The study evaluates the financial and environmental burden of eight common single-use plastics in Canada. It finds a significant lack of consistent data across municipalities, with costs often underestimated because they are based on weight rather than the high volume these plastics occupy. The report highlights that cigarette butts are the most frequent litter item, while plastic bottles and cups generate substantial management costs. It also estimates that microplastic pollution could risk between 0.5 and 2.16 billion CAD annually in Canadian agricultural production for wheat and corn. To address these gaps, the authors developed a 'Plastic Waste Cost Calculator' tool for local authorities and recommend shifting toward volumetric waste measurement and standardized data collection.

The report argues that low-density urban sprawl is fiscally unsustainable for Canadian municipalities, contributing to a national infrastructure deficit of CAD 270 billion. Using Winnipeg as a primary case study, it demonstrates how the failure to account for long-term maintenance and carbon costs in development decisions creates a 'municipal Ponzi scheme' where new growth is used to mask the liabilities of old infrastructure. The author recommends reforming development cost charges, property taxes, and fiscal impact assessments to prioritize compact, complete communities that generate more revenue and produce fewer emissions.

The document reports on Phase 1 of a project to reduce single-use foodware in Winnipeg, MB. Through surveys of 26 food-service businesses and 50 customers, it finds a high level of awareness and willingness to transition to reusables, though significant barriers exist regarding cost, convenience, and communication. It recommends the adoption of a city-wide reusable foodware program, increased incentives for 'Bring Your Own' (BYO) practices, and government guidance on sustainable procurement.

The IISD supports Manitoba's 'Path to Net Zero' plan as a framework for a low-carbon economy, praising the creation of a Climate Change Committee of Cabinet and the focus on Indigenous partnerships. However, the IISD emphasizes the need for detailed implementation plans and warns that carbon capture and storage (CCS) may be an expensive alternative to other emissions reduction opportunities.

The 'Cities in Transition' research argues that meeting emissions targets requires more than transitioning to renewables; it necessitates a reduction in total energy demand through urban planning. Using the city of Winnipeg as a focus, the study employs the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to show that compact, walkable, and mixed-use infill development reduces emissions and municipal infrastructure costs compared to car-oriented sprawl. The research identifies three primary barriers to this transition: NIMBY opposition to infill, outdated governance models, and the high financial costs associated with urban sprawl.

The report examines the link between urban sprawl and high energy consumption, arguing that current energy policies overlook the role of urban design. It advocates for "complete communities"—dense, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods—as a primary strategy for emissions reduction. Using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, the report compares car-centric and sustainable transportation scenarios in Winnipeg, finding that sustainable shifts offer significantly higher net benefits and a superior benefit-to-cost ratio. It identifies key barriers such as NIMBYism, flawed municipal governance, and the financial instability caused by sprawl, while proposing solutions including zoning reform, parking policy changes, and new municipal revenue tools.

The report finds that climate change is significantly increasing the number of 'lost winter days' (days above freezing) across Canada, with some regions seeing an additional week of such days annually. The analysis highlights specific impacts in provinces like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, and major cities including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, noting consequences for snow accumulation, ice coverage, and winter industries.

The report argues that transitioning Manitoba's building sector off fossil fuels through deep energy retrofits (DERs) can reduce provincial emissions, lower home energy costs, and spur green industrial growth. It proposes a neighbourhood-level retrofit program and a workforce development strategy to achieve net-zero by 2050.

The report argues that Manitoba requires a massive, publicly led effort to implement deep energy retrofits (DERs)—defined as improvements reducing energy use by at least 50%—to meet 2050 net-zero targets. It estimates that 200,000 home retrofits are needed, requiring an annual investment of CAD 1.2 billion. The authors propose the creation of a Manitoba Green Bank to provide low- or no-interest financing and the adoption of a retrofit code by 2025. The strategy emphasizes a 'just transition' by prioritizing low-income renters and utilizing social enterprises to train underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous Peoples, for the thousands of green jobs expected to be created.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) advocates for the passage of Bill C-226, arguing that environmental racism creates 'pollution hotspots' that disproportionately harm the health of Indigenous and racialized communities. CAPE links these exposures to severe health outcomes, including cancer and respiratory illnesses, and calls for a national strategy that integrates planetary health and Traditional Knowledge to address these systemic injustices.

The document outlines a framework for monitoring water retention projects in the Prairies, emphasizing the need for water and contaminant mass balances to evaluate performance. It details a range of monitoring tools—from low-cost metre sticks to expensive automated samplers—and explains how to use rating curves to estimate discharge. The guide highlights the importance of high-frequency data to capture rapid hydrologic events and suggests using monitoring data to develop hydraulic and water-quality treatment models for improving future site design and management.

The 2022 Forum on Natural Infrastructure Performance and Metrics, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, examined how to scale nature-based solutions to address aging water infrastructure in Canada's Prairies. Participants identified that a stronger business case for natural infrastructure requires tailored metrics and data to make economic benefits visible in regulatory and funding decisions. The forum highlighted the urgency of addressing an investment deficit in crumbling water infrastructure to mitigate risks from flooding, drought, extreme heat, and wildfires.

The document details the proceedings of the 2022 IISD Forum on Natural Infrastructure Performance and Metrics, focusing on the Canadian Prairies. It argues that while natural infrastructure (NI) is essential for water management, a lack of standardized metrics and economic valuation tools hinders its large-scale adoption. The report outlines a framework for scaling NI through improved data sharing, regional watershed-scale planning, the integration of Indigenous knowledge via 'Two-Eyed Seeing', and the use of economic valuation tools like SAVi to engage municipal decision-makers.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) views Canada's 2023 federal budget as a significant step toward a net-zero economy, noting billions for clean energy and CAD 800 million for freshwater protection. However, the IISD warns that the budget maintains loopholes for fossil fuels, specifically through carbon capture and storage (CCS) funding and the inclusion of abated natural gas in clean electricity tax credits, which may undermine commitments to end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement mourning the death of James "Jim" Carr, who served as an IISD board member and vice-chair from 2000 to 2008. Carr was a Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre and held several Canadian ministerial roles, including Minister of Natural Resources. He was recognized for his advocacy for sustainability, international cooperation, and the IISD’s Experimental Lakes Area, as well as his contributions to the business and arts communities in Manitoba.

The document serves as a handbook for Canadian municipalities to implement the 'localization' of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). It outlines a 'basic recipe' for successful VLRs, including the establishment of local priorities, partnerships, inclusive participation, and data collection. A central theme is the necessity of integrating Indigenous knowledge and leadership to ensure the process supports transformative reconciliation. The guide synthesizes global and regional resources and provides case studies from cities such as Kelowna, Winnipeg, Espoo, and Malmö to illustrate best practices in data visualization, community storytelling, and the 'Leave No One Behind' (LNOB) principle.

The document serves as a guide for Canadian municipalities to localize the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the creation of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). It outlines a 'basic recipe' for successful VLRs, including the identification of local priorities, the establishment of partnerships, participatory processes, and the use of diverse data indicators. A central theme is the necessity of integrating transformative reconciliation and Indigenous leadership into the VLR process to ensure inclusivity and respect for Indigenous data sovereignty. The handbook synthesizes global and regional resources and provides case studies from cities such as Kelowna, Winnipeg, Malmö, and Espoo to illustrate good practices in reporting and community engagement.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) developed a mapping framework and findings template to evaluate VLRs. The methodology is based on UN DESA's Global Guiding Elements and adapted to include Canadian-specific priorities, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and OCAP principles. The framework consists of 11 categories and 101 sub-components. Pilot applications to VLRs from Kelowna, Winnipeg, Espoo, and Malmö indicate that while Canadian cities are making strides in reporting on Indigenous populations, there are significant gaps in disaggregated data and the description of specific local-level efforts to 'leave no one behind'.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.