Search Climate Insights Directory

The report details a joint project between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) to develop culturally specific sustainability indicators for Winnipeg's First Nations population. Using a bottom-up approach, the project engaged the community through a series of forums to identify key issues and propose measures of well-being. The framework is based on the traditional Medicine Wheel, organizing well-being into four domains: environment, economic, social, and cultural. The report identifies critical community concerns—including housing, employment, health, and cultural identity—and recommends continuing the project to develop a future vision and improving the coordination of services and communications for urban First Nations people.

The 'Choose the Future' conference report details a three-day event in Winnipeg focused on integrating sustainable development into education, business, and government. It highlights keynote addresses on global sustainability, corporate strategies for 'triple bottom line' success, and various concurrent sessions on Arctic climate change, Indigenous perspectives, and K-12 curriculum integration in Manitoba and other Canadian provinces.

The research establishes a methodology to measure the adaptive capacity of 53 Census Divisions in the Canadian Prairies, organizing 20 indicators into six determinants: economic resources, technology, information/skills/management, infrastructure, institutions/networks, and equity. The analysis reveals that adaptive capacity is strongly correlated with proximity to major urban centres, with the highest capacity clustered around Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, and Calgary, while the lowest capacity is found along the northern boundaries of the agricultural region. The study argues that while some low-capacity areas are currently north of historic drought zones, future climate projections suggest moisture deficits may extend into these vulnerable regions. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for interventions in remote rural areas, such as improving high-speed Internet access, promoting sustainable soil management, and ensuring fair commodity prices.

The document argues that communications planning must begin at the project design stage, prior to securing funding, to ensure research results are used rather than just published. It outlines a ten-question framework to identify desired outcomes, specific target individuals, and appropriate delivery products. The guide emphasizes moving beyond simple PDF uploads toward integrated media and direct stakeholder engagement. It also provides a comprehensive inventory of communication tools categorized by 'many to many' (group processes), 'one to many' (dissemination), and 'one to one' (restricted/secure) interactions, alongside education and training approaches.

The YCLSF Participant Manual 2006/2007 outlines the structure and expectations of an international internship program managed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). It details the program's goal of providing young Canadians with entry-level overseas work experience in sustainable development to help them build careers in the field. The document covers administrative requirements such as contracts, tax obligations, and visa processes, alongside practical advice on preparing for placement, managing finances, and coping with culture shock. It also specifies the responsibilities of the participants, host organizations, and IISD, and defines the reporting and evaluation cycle required to receive stipends. Finally, it provides guidance on re-entry to Canada and professional development strategies.

The document introduces Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) as a community-based framework for implementing environmental strategies in Winnipeg. It outlines baseline data and recommended activities across seven key areas: climate change/air quality, urban energy, land use, transportation, waste management, water management, and pesticide use. The guide details pilot results from three diverse neighbourhoods—Whyte Ridge, Riverview, and West Broadway—demonstrating that environmental priorities vary significantly by socio-economic profile and urban layout. It argues that a neighbourhood-scale approach using community-based social marketing (CBSM) is more effective for long-term behaviour change than city-wide, 'one size fits all' programming.

The Community Sustainable Development Action and Knowledge Inventory is a tool developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the Manitoba Climate Change Communities Challenge (C4). It is designed to help community-led organizations identify local strengths, knowledge assets, and priorities across various environmental sectors to inform future climate planning. The inventory focuses on non-governmental initiatives, complementing municipal government profiles. It includes a structured assessment framework covering water, waste, energy, buildings, transportation, and biodiversity, specifically examining how these issues intersect with climate change impacts and community capacity.

The report outlines a proposed model for Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) in Winnipeg, designed to shift environmental action from a top-down municipal approach to a neighbourhood-level service delivery model. Based on a review of local precedents like Business Improvement Zones and international examples such as Montreal's Eco-quartiers, the report recommends that EIZs be established through multi-partite agreements between the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba, and Environment Canada. The proposed model suggests anchoring EIZs in existing community-based organizations, governed by neighbourhood steering committees, and focusing on service innovation and delivery rather than broad sustainability mandates. It provides a detailed implementation roadmap for 2005-2006, including the selection of five pilot neighbourhoods and the hiring of a dedicated coordinator.

The report proposes the creation of a new not-for-profit organization to develop and operate a community indicators system for Winnipeg. This system is designed to engage citizens in defining a shared community vision, selecting indicators to track progress across economic, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions, and using that data to stimulate collaborative action. The plan outlines an operating model involving visioning, indicator development, data management, and reporting, supported by a governance structure comprising a board, executive committee, and technical advisory groups. The document includes estimated start-up costs of 124,000 and annual operating costs of 338,000.

The report examines how the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) adapted the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Guidelines, which were designed for businesses, for use in the non-profit sector. Both organizations found that while the Guidelines provided a valuable framework for establishing sustainability baselines and increasing staff awareness, they faced challenges with indicators tailored to resource-heavy industries and difficulties in collecting data within shared office spaces. The authors recommend that the GRI develop a specific 'CSO sector supplement' or 'service sector supplement' to better support non-profit reporting.

The MMSD North America project, implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the University of Nevada, developed a framework to transition the mining and minerals industry toward sustainability. The project produced several reports, including a set of 10 recommendations covering legacy issues, practical conditions, and long-term capacity building. It also introduced a 'Seven Questions' framework to assess the overall contribution of mining activities to long-term sustainable development.

The report details a project in Sachs Harbour, Banks Island, where Inuvialuit observations confirm significant climate warming, including later autumn freeze-ups, earlier spring thaws, and melting permafrost. The project combined participatory workshops and scientific interviews to produce a broadcast-quality video and seven journal articles, aiming to raise public awareness and influence decision-makers. Findings highlight the value of traditional knowledge in providing detailed historical narratives and identifying environmental linkages that complement Western science.

The YCLSF Host Organization Guide outlines the operational framework for hosting Canadian youth interns in sustainable development roles globally. It details the responsibilities of host organizations, interns, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), while providing practical advice on supervision, performance assessment, and emergency protocols. The document emphasizes the project's goal of preparing young Canadians for careers in sustainable development through professional placements and training in areas such as climate change, trade, and natural resource management.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that provides research, reporting services, and policy advocacy to support sustainable development globally. Its strategic priorities include developing sustainability indicators, supporting climate change negotiations, promoting sustainable economic and trade policies, and improving natural resource management through community-based approaches.

Between January and March 2000, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) partnered with the Skownan First Nation to identify community values using 'appreciative inquiry'. The project involved training a local six-person team, conducting 35 interviews with community members, and analyzing the data to create a preliminary community vision. Key identified values emphasize the forest as a source of protection, medicine, and spiritual connection, with Chitek Lake serving as the 'heart of the homeland'. The project aims to use these findings, alongside video documentation, to facilitate focus-group discussions with government and industry representatives to influence resource management decisions.

The report outlines a comprehensive engagement strategy for Canadian youth (ages 13-29) to combat climate change, moving beyond simple marketing to a model of active engagement. It identifies a significant 'knowledge-behaviour gap' where youth are aware of issues like recycling but do not act, often due to a lack of trust in institutional mechanisms and a perceived lack of action by elders. The proposed strategy is structured around three interrelated streams: information and awareness campaigns, capacity building for youth (focusing on employment and leadership), and community actions. Key recommendations include tailoring messages to specific segments—such as aboriginal youth and 'early adopters'—and integrating climate education into school curricula from Grade 1. The strategy emphasizes that youth should be recognized and rewarded for their contributions and that success requires visible commitment from older Canadians and institutions.

Manitoba is well-positioned for the energy transition due to its low-cost clean electricity, critical mineral deposits, and established ag-tech sector. However, the province lags behind other jurisdictions in public and private R&D investment and lacks a comprehensive government strategy to attract innovative companies. Economic risks include a high debt-to-GDP ratio and a workforce in vulnerable sectors, particularly affecting visible minorities and Indigenous peoples. While some companies are electrifying operations, the province's overall adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps remains below national and provincial averages.

Manitoba possesses significant competitive advantages for the low-carbon transition, including low-cost clean electricity, critical mineral deposits, and a strong agricultural sector. However, the province faces fiscal risks due to a high debt-to-GDP ratio and a lack of supportive policy frameworks, resulting in a low number of transition-opportunity companies compared to other provinces. While some sectors like agricultural technology and alternative proteins are growing, Manitoba lags in clean hydrogen, batteries, and storage. Additionally, the report highlights the disproportionate exposure of visible minorities to transition-vulnerable sectors and the need to address historic harms to Indigenous communities to ensure equitable development in mining and energy.

The document defines Ecohealth as the recognition that human well-being depends on healthy ecosystems, specifically emphasizing the role of watersheds. It argues that managing watersheds provides 'double dividends' by improving both social and environmental health determinants. The text highlights the cost-effectiveness of ecosystem restoration over engineered solutions and notes that climate change increases water-related risks in Canada. It calls for breaking down 'silos' between health and environmental practitioners and provides case studies from British Columbia and Manitoba to illustrate the benefits of integrated watershed stewardship.

Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) are artificial platforms that enable aquatic plants to grow in deep water, utilizing a combination of plant uptake and microbial biofilms to remove pollutants. Research by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) demonstrates that FTWs can significantly reduce phosphorus levels, remove certain pharmaceuticals and herbicides, and potentially mitigate oil spills. The system is applicable to various freshwater environments, including lakes, stormwater ponds, and wastewater lagoons.