WHAT'S NEW IN P2 - January 2008 Edition
City of Toronto Considering Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Program: an opportunity to provide feedback
The City of Toronto is considering the implementation of an Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Program. The Board of Health has asked Toronto Public Health to examine the form such a program would take and present their vision to the Board and City Council for review.
The proposed mandatory reporting program targets specific small- and medium-sized industries located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that are not included in pre-existing reporting programs (e.g. National Pollution Reduction Inventory (NPRI), provincial regulations such as O.reg. 127/01).
The program would:
- Require affected businesses (through a bylaw) to report annually to the City if they use/release any of 25 priority chemicals above specific thresholds.
- Encourage businesses to become more aware of their use and release of these chemicals and facilitate pollution prevention measures.
- Enable the public to access and understand the information that is collected.
Toronto Public Health is inviting feedback and comments on the proposed program from businesses, residents, community organizations and other stakeholders.Comments should be submitted by 5:00pm EST on February 6, 2008.
For more information on the program, and to download the consultation document, visit http://www.toronto.ca/health/hphe/enviro_info.htm
The consulting firm ORTECH Environmental has put together a brief summary of the proposed program which can be accessed at http://www.ortech.ca/pdf/environmental/Enews/2008-17-Jan-Proposed-ERDP-Summary.pdf
Canada-wide Sustainable Packaging Guidelines: consultation document by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) is inviting feedback on a new consultation document titled Inventory of Sustainable Packaging Initiatives and Proposed Approach to Develop Sustainable Packaging Guidelines(available at http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/pkg_consult_e.pdf). The document was created by the CCME Extended Producer Responsibility Task Group, which has been working to develop a Canada-wide strategy for sustainable packaging guidelines. Comments are being accepted until March 3, 2008.
For more information on the initiative, and to access the consultation document, please visit http://www.ccme.ca/ourwork/waste.html?category_id=18
Green Chemistry Telephone Seminar Series: from the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network Working Group
Starting in January, the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network Working Group (GLGCNWG) will be holding three Green Chemistry Telephone Seminars. Participation in the seminars is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about green chemistry.
The first seminar will be held on February 12th and will feature a presentation by Dr. Michael P.Wilson. Dr. Wilson is one of the authors of a new report released by The Centers for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of California titled Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California (available at http://www.coeh.ucla.edu/Greenchemistry.pdf).
Negotiations are still underway to determine the dates for the second and third telephone seminars to be held in February and March. These will include a report on what is happening in green chemistry in academia, with a focus on the Great Lakes, and what is happening on the international scene.
CPPIC This Month
Environment Canada's Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (CPPIC), an online database and comprehensive resource for pollution prevention (P2) information, continues to grow as new resources are added to the database and improvements are made to the P2 web site. The following is a summary of the recent additions:
Featured Web site: Resources for Rethinking - Database of Sustainable Resources for Teachers http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/whatsNew.cfm?view=site&id=33
Check out this month's featured Success Story: Climate Change Action Plan - Target Minus 50 - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/whatsNew.cfm?view=story&id=41
In December 2007, 15 new resources were added to the database. Resources may be of interest to community groups, educators, students, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), municipalities, consumers, the general public and industry. Sample resources include:
* All Things Efficient: Energy Efficient Goods and Services - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/refView.cfm?refId=2035
* A Reference Guide to Household Hazardous Product Alternatives - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/refView.cfm?refId=2037
* Green Municipalities: A Guide to Green Infrastructure for Canadian Municipalities - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/refView.cfm?refId=2041
* Workplace Guide: Practical Action for the Environment - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/refView.cfm?refId=2042
* Integrating Sustainability Principles in a Small Chemical Company - http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/En/refView.cfm?refId=2061
Visit CPPIC's What's New Section for the complete list of resources added each month or search the database to access over 1800 other P2 resources. http://www.ec.gc.ca/cppic/en/whatsNew.cfm
Know of a new resource that should be added to the CPPIC database? Send your ideas and suggestions to cppic-ccipp@ec.gc.ca
Publications
The David Suzuki Foundation recently released the report Meeting the Challenge: A Carbon Neutral 2010 Winter Games Discussion Paper (available at http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Publications/Meeting_the_challenge.asp).The report was commissioned by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), the organization responsible for organizing the Vancouver Olympics, as part of its pledge to be carbon neutral in 2010. According to the report, to successfully undertake a carbon neutral program VANOC will require a comprehensive greenhouse gas management plan. Some of the key elements of this plan include a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, an implementation plan, a policy for procuring carbon neutral or low carbon products and services, reporting requirements and a communication strategy. The report suggests that the procurement of carbon offsets would be the best way to achieve the committee's pledge of carbon neutrality. Carbon offsets allow greenhouse gas emitters to ‘pay for their pollution' by funding green projects - such as renewable energy - that reduce or prevent GHG emissions.
Conferences and Events
Carbon Finance Workshops - Toronto
February & March
The Bahen Centre for Information Technology at the University of Toronto is inviting professionals working in the area of environmental finance and/or sustainable investing to attend The Environmental Finance Spring 2008 Series. This series of workshops will examine the growing materiality of Carbon Factors in the areas of Carbon Markets, Project Finance, Risks and Canadian & International Outlook. Upon successful completion of the series participants will receive a Certificate in Carbon Finance. For more information, please visit http://www.environmental-finance.utoronto.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=131
Green Roofs Conference - Toronto
February 21
Toronto Botanical Garden will be hosting a Green Roofs Conference for professionals and keen homeowners interested in learning more about the art and science of green roofs from industry leaders. Topics covered will include design, plants, biodiversity and technical considerations. The day will finish with a cocktail reception where participants can connect with one another and professionals in the field. For more information, please visit http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/greenroof/
Free Workshop: Active Transportation Makes Good Business Sense - Ottawa
February 13th
Ottawa Public Health will be hosting a free one-day workshop focusing on sustainable modes of transportation (e.g. walking, cycling, carpooling) and the significant economic benefits to employers of physically active staff. Topics to be covered include reasons to promote sustainable transportation, how to bring it to the workplace and available resources and organizations. The session will conclude with a walking tour of workplaces that have implemented sustainable transportation initiatives. For more information and to register, please visit
https://ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/form.cgi?dir=workplace&form=on_move_form_en
Free Solar Power Workshops: Solar Energy 101 - Southern Ontario
February & March
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association will be holding free solar power workshops across Southern Ontario during February and March. Topics to be covered include the basics of solar energy, how to generate clean renewable energy, where to find applicable grants and more. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded members of their community. For information on workshops taking place in your area visit http://www.ontario-sea.org/solar/
Internet Bits and Bytes
Free Software: RETScreen software a useful decision-making tool for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
The Natural Resources Canada Energy Technology Centre in Varennes has developed a free software tool to assist planners and decision-makers implement renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. RETScreen Software is described as "a unique decision support tool" which can be used "to evaluate the energy production and savings, life-cycle costs, emission reductions financial viability and risk for various types of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (RETs)". To find out about additional features, and to download the software, visit the RETScreen International site at http://www.retscreen.net/ang/centre.php
From the Desk of the ED
Please join me in welcoming Leah Nielsen as the new Project Coordinator at the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention. Leah's non-profit and corporate sustainability experience will assist C2P2 deliver in a number of project areas. Leah has a strong attention to detail, a passion for environmental issues and a strong willingness to learn.
Information Sharing
If you wish to contribute to this information service, please e-mail us at info@c2p2online.com or fax: 416-979-3936.