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A number of environmental organizations in Canada are calling on the government to add Sustainability to its economic recovery measures that highlight both workers and efforts to address the climate crisis.
Why does a sustainable recovery matter for Canada?
Even before the pandemic struck, the world was dealing with pressing climate crises that will continue to have devastating impacts if left unaddressed. It seems that Canada will miss its 2030 emissions reduction target, but the government has committed to exceed that goal and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
How has the pandemic affected the Canadian economy?
The economic impact of the pandemic has been severe. About three million Canadians lost their jobs at the height of the pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in April that “just because we are in one crisis right now doesn’t mean we can forget about the other crisis, the climate crisis that we are also facing as a world, as a country.”
How can Canada support high-carbon industries while still implementing sustainable innovation?
The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s report, which was submitted to a House of Commons’ committee in June, outlines principles and conditions that should be attached to all economic recovery measures.
One of the principles recommends that companies receiving federal financial support be required to develop a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Importantly, the recommendations go beyond measures aimed at simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Financial support must be tied to efforts that address social inequity and improve well-being.
One of the best actions to take is training on sustainability issues, how to identify, assess and then prioritize material issues. The training is the first step in an iterative process. The Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program, Leadership Edition 2020, October 7, 8 and 9, DIGITAL VERSION teaches participants on how to think ahead and solve an issue before it appears. Learning and staying ahead of the game are the best tools in tackling any type of crisis.
