Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper, prepared for the Government of Manitoba by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, examines models for measuring sustainable development performance at the provincial, state, and municipal levels. It reviews specific initiatives in Alberta, Oregon, Colorado, Seattle, and Jacksonville to identify strengths and weaknesses in indicator selection and application. The document proposes a causal framework based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model to better link human activities to environmental and social outcomes, providing a methodological guide for developing a sustainable development reporting system in Manitoba.

This executive summary examines provincial and municipal regulations regarding the use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes in Canada. It analyzes the structure, implementation, and effectiveness of these laws, identifying best practices and recommending improvements to reduce the use of non-essential pesticides.

The Advocacy and Mobilization Program (AMP) was a capacity-building initiative run by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) from 2022 to 2025. Designed to transform healthcare professionals (HCPs) into planetary health advocates, the program combined foundational knowledge with skills training in communications and government relations, culminating in a 'Hill Day' of direct political advocacy. While the program successfully increased participant confidence and advocacy skills, it faced challenges with staffing capacity and peer networking, leading CAPE to recommend more flexible, 'lighter-touch' training models for future engagement.

This briefing by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) argues for a federal ban on fossil-fuel advertising and 'greenwashing' in Canada. The document links fossil-fuel emissions to significant premature deaths and chronic health issues, whileS citing research that attributes 34,000 annual premature deaths in Canada to such pollution. CAPE advocates for a regulatory framework similar to the 1989 tobacco advertising restrictions to accelerate the energy transition and protect public health.

A statement by 82 health organizations from 30 countries calling on G7 nations to accelerate the global transition away from coal-fired electricity to improve public health and mitigate climate change.

This fact sheet from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment outlines how transitioning to a low-carbon economy in Canada can provide immediate health benefits. It argues that current government commitments are insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets and advocates for a shift toward renewable energy, plant-based diets, and active transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health outcomes.

This factsheet from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) outlines how health professionals can leverage their credibility as trusted messengers to influence public behavior and policy-making regarding climate change, focusing on GHG emission reduction and adaptation programs.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and other organizations have written to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Heritage urging the expansion of the Online Harms Act (OHA) to address disinformation and systemic risks posed by big tech platforms.

The report summarizes the Advancing Natural Infrastructure Forum 2024, held in Calgary, Alberta, on February 21–22, 2024. Co-hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Natural Assets Initiative (NAI), and WaterSMART Solutions, the event brought together 106 participants to discuss the implementation, funding, and scaling of natural infrastructure across the Canadian Prairies to address water management and climate resilience.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines why the costs of carbon capture and storage (CCS) remain high, particularly within Canada's oil and gas sector. It argues that high design complexity and the need for customization prevent the cost reductions seen in renewable energy technologies, making CCS an inefficient use of public funds for oil and gas, though potentially useful for hard-to-abate industrial sectors like cement.

This policy brief, submitted by a coalition including the International Institute for Sustainable Development and Oil Change International, urges the Canadian government to eliminate all federal and provincial subsidies for oil, natural gas, and coal production by 2020. The authors argue that these subsidies undermine carbon pricing efforts and contradict Canada's international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and G20/G7 frameworks.

This report examines the opportunities and challenges for the Canadian agricultural sector within evolving national and international climate change regimes. It analyzes the sector's mitigation potential, the role of bioenergy, the development of agricultural carbon offsets, and the impact of climate policies on international competitiveness and trade.

This report summarizes a workshop held on March 26, 2009, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to assess climate change adaptation activities, research, and capacity in Manitoba. The event brought together academics, policy-makers, and project coordinators to identify priority areas for a proposed Manitoba Climate Research Table and discuss regional adaptation strategies.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the decline of water storage in the Canadian Prairies and advocates for natural water retention measures to mitigate the risks of floods and droughts exacerbated by climate change.

This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development details the economic impact and growth potential of the natural infrastructure sector in Manitoba and across the Canadian Prairies, highlighting its role in addressing water infrastructure gaps and increasing climate resilience.

The Northern Entrepreneurship Workshop Proceedings and Report details a two-day workshop held in March 2009 at the University of Saskatchewan. The event brought together Northern entrepreneurs, leaders, and academics to identify the unique challenges and opportunities of operating businesses in the North and to develop a specialized educational curriculum for Northern entrepreneurs.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates the feasibility of tree planting in the Canadian prairie ecozone as a method to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It reviews international policies from the European Union, the United States, and Canada, while analyzing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of afforestation alongside the direct and opportunity costs involved.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development details the Government of Canada's efforts to reform and phase out fiscal subsidies for fossil fuel exploration and development, primarily through the adjustment of tax expenditures between 2011 and 2022.

This fact sheet outlines three impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian food systems: an increase in home gardening, high transmission rates and concentration in the meat processing industry, and rising food insecurity.

This fact sheet provides data on the distribution of agricultural land in Canada and the relationship between farming intensity, biodiversity, and soil health.