Press Releases
November 19th, 2011
Sustainable Waterloo Region, in partnership with the German Consulate, Canada’s Technology Triangle, and WalterFedy, welcome bestselling Canadian author Chris Turner to Waterloo Region, on his speaking tour profiling the latest innovations in German cleantech and sustainable design.
For more than a decade, Germany has been the global pacesetter in renewable energy and sustainable industrial development. From industrial boomtowns in Saxony's "Solar Valley" to self-sufficient solar communities in the sunny south, Germany is a country reborn on sustainable foundations.
Turner's tour provides a vibrant series of portraits of this German Leap to sustainability. His latest book,The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy, presents a field guide to making the jump to renewed prosperity based on sustainability, drawing on recent breakthroughs in state-of-the-art renewable energy, cleantech and urban design. He is also the author of the 2007 bestseller, The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need, a Globe & Mail Best Book of the Year, and a finalist for the Governor Generals’ Award for Nonfiction, the Alberta Literary Award for Nonfiction, and the National Business Book Award.
“Germany is at the forefront of the global transition to a more sustainable economy,” says Mike Morrice, Sustainable Waterloo Region’s Executive Director. “We are thrilled to host this event in partnership with the German Consulate. This evening with Chris is an exciting opportunity to showcase and learn from a model for what communities like ours can achieve when we integrate sustainability into our shared vision for the future.”
The event will be hosted on Tuesday, November 22 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at WalterFedy, located at 675 Queen Street South, Kitchener. Registration for this event is free. The public is encouraged to register by visiting www.sustainablewaterlooregion.
About Sustainable Waterloo Region
Sustainable Waterloo Region advances the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo Region is focused on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions by organizations across Waterloo Region.
Media Contact
Kelly McMath, Public Relations Manager
Sustainable Waterloo Region
519-404-8986
September 21st, 2011
(
The four leading political parties were presented with
12 questions about their environmental policies related to electricity; natural
gas and heating; transportation; jobs and the economy; and budget and cost
implications. Academics and experts from environmental groups assessed the
ability of each party’s energy policies to provide for
Party
platform highlights
- The
Green Party of Ontario platform
emphasizes energy conservation, efficiency and local ownership and
development of renewable energy projects. The Green Party also favours tax
credits for businesses to invest in energy efficient and retrofit
buildings.
- The New Democratic Party of Ontario platform focuses on energy
efficiency and conservation, with public ownership of large clean energy
projects. The NDP favours reducing taxes on electricity, home heating
fuels and gasoline.
- The
Ontario Liberal Party platform
continues its focus on the development of clean energy in
- The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party platform commits to
making smart meters and time-of-use billing optional, and to cancel the
province’s Feed-In-Tariff program. The Progressive Conservatives intend to
reduce taxes on electricity and home heating.
“Our common
vision for
“This
election is a particularly significant one for Waterloo Region residents and
for all Ontarians, given the ongoing focus being placed on long term energy
issues and sustainability. Voters have lots of choice when assessing which
political party best embraces these issues, and we're thrilled to help inform
the discourse,” says Mike Morrice, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo
Region.
The David Suzuki Foundation and Sustainable Waterloo
Region have released this report to contribute to the public discourse, and do
not advocate for the support of any one political party.
The full
report and party responses are available for download here: http://www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/news-2/ontarios-energy-future/
Experts weigh in
On
September 22, 2011, 4:30pm at Kitchener’s Tannery District, experts will
discuss the report with an audience of business, community, and political
leaders on the importance of energy policy in Ontario at the Tannery Event
Centre, 151 Charles Street West, Kitchener (map).
August 3rd, 2011
Community-based action on climate change
The Climate Collaborative will address the need for local, community-based action on climate challenges across Waterloo Region. “It’s important to approach this project in a collaborative manner,” says Sarah Brown, Project Manager for The Climate Collaborative. “Sharing resources and knowledge will benefit not only the organizations involved but also the greater community – now and for generations to come.”
“Vision, thoughtfulness, energy only begin to describe the leadership of this partnership as it promises to support the growth of our region towards a healthier and more vibrant community to live in,” says Lucie Allard, Volunteer Chair with the Ontario Trillium Foundation. “Success is made possible when all stakeholders involved in a problem work together to find a solution,” adds Rosemary Smith, CEO of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation.
Measuring emissions from all sources
The project will follow the framework provided by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Partners for Climate Protection program, through which over 200 municipalities across Canada have developed or are developing GHG action plans. Emissions from all sources within Waterloo Region - including residential and commercial energy consumption, transportation, and waste - will be accounted for in the GHG inventory. The inventory process will begin this fall and lead into the development of an action plan starting in spring 2012. Participating partners will work towards setting reduction targets in 2013, which will be followed by implementation of the actions identified by partners.
Additional partners are being invited to participate in the inventory and action planning process, including other area municipalities, local electric and gas utilities, post-secondary schools and school boards, large employers and business associations, community groups, and non-profit organizations. The public will also have an opportunity to provide input as the action plan is developed.
For more information about The Climate Collaborative, please contact Sarah Brown, Project Manager, at sarah.brown@sustainablewr.ca.
About Sustainable Waterloo Region
Sustainable Waterloo Region is a not-for-profit that advances the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo Region is focused on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which supports voluntary target setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region. For a list of all Regional Carbon Initiative members, please visit www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/members.
About REEP Green Solutions
REEP Green Solutions is a charitable organization empowering our community towards healthier homes and sustainable living. Through innovative services and programs, collaborative research, and community partnerships, REEP provides the tools and knowledge people need to use energy and water wisely. Learn more at www.reepgreen.ca.
About the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Waterloo Region is comprised of three cities – Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and four rural townships – North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. With a combined population of over 530,000, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing and prosperous areas in Ontario. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is responsible for approximately 60 per cent of municipal government services in the community which directly and indirectly influence quality of life and sustainability. Learn more at www.region.waterloo.on.ca.
May 5th, 2011
(
In a position statement released on Thursday, May 5th,
2011, the organization stated that it is supportive of the Region’s staff
recommendation of L3b linking the Conestoga and Fairview Malls from Waterloo to
Kitchener, but prefers implementation of the region-wide L9 option – linking
our community from St. Jacobs to Cambridge - in order to maximize the benefits
of LRT at a marginal cost increase.
LRT will have a significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions across the Region. Member organizations in Sustainable
Waterloo’s Regional Carbon Initiative have reported that employee commuting
accounts for 24% of their total GHG emissions. LRT from St. Jacobs to
“Region-wide
light rail transit offered by option L9 is our opportunity to create the infrastructure
that will support the projected growth of the region, unite our communities,
and equip us with a transit option that
balances the continued health of our economy and the natural environment,” says
Mike Morrice, Sustainable Waterloo Region’s Executive Director. “By linking St. Jacobs to
Sustainable
Note
that the views expressed here belong to Sustainable
March 22nd, 2011
Sustainable Waterloo's 2010 year-end report celebrates a Community Built on Action
(WATERLOO, ON) March 22, 2011 – Members of Sustainable Waterloo Region's Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI) are taking action on climate change with commitments to reduce carbon emissions by almost 1,700 tonnes over the next 10 years – equivalent to taking more than 377 cars off the road. Their commitments, reductions and sustainable initiatives are published in Sustainable Waterloo Region's 2010 Report, released today.
"RCI members are coming together to create a community of knowledge sharing and action while promoting the tangible bottom-line benefits of lowering their environmental impact," says Mike Morrice, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo Region. "Their commitments, successes and stories are something we can all be proud of."
Celebrating Action
Sustainable Waterloo Region's year-end report celebrates the achievements and commitments of organizations across Waterloo Region that are taking measurable action to advance our community towards a more environmentally sustainable future. The theme of the 2010 Report is a community built on action, which highlights the community of support that has emerged across Waterloo Region amongst organizations looking to advance the sustainability of their operations.
"The environmental challenges we face are complex in that there is no central command from which to manage things. We need to find solutions that work in several directions at once – ecological, technical, political and social. Real progress toward greater sustainability takes real action, and Sustainable Waterloo fosters a community built on action," says Dr. Barry Colbert, Director, CMA Centre for Business & Sustainability, Wilfrid Laurier University and Sustainable Waterloo Region Board Chair.
Some key highlights of the 2010 Report:
- RCI members undertook 115 sustainable initiatives in 2010 through projects ranging from energy saving motion sensing equipment to producing energy from waste.
- The Region of Waterloo retrofitted traffic signal lights to save 1,200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
- 20 per cent of RCI members are working on projects that will decrease emissions associated with commuting and business travel.
- 18 per cent of RCI members found ways to improve their equipment efficiency.
- 14 per cent of RCI members found ways to reduce and reuse their waste.
"Sustainable Waterloo has done a tremendous job in harnessing the power of collaborative leadership when it comes to environmental sustainability in Waterloo Region," says Rosemary Smith, CEO of the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. "Success is not possible if all constituents involved in a problem do not work together to find a solution, and Sustainable Waterloo Region continues to find ways to encourage and engage all of us to learn about the importance of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and has helped us post exciting results in this reduction."
Report being released at the 2nd Annual Evening of Recognition
The 2010 Report, "Celebrating a Community Built on Action," will be officially released at Sustainable Waterloo Region's 2nd Annual Evening of Recognition, being held tonight at the Delta Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel. An advance digital copy of the 2010 Report can be previewed by media at www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/2010Report.
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Time: |
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
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Location: |
Delta Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel – Grand Ballroom 105 King Street East, Kitchener |
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Cost: |
This event is free, registration is required |
About Sustainable Waterloo Region
Sustainable Waterloo Region is a not-for-profit that advances the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration.
About the Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI)
The Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI) facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions by organizations across Waterloo Region.
Members of the Regional Carbon Initiative plug-in to a community of support, linking like-minded organizations focused on implementing successful and cost-effective projects that result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.
Our Members
See the total impact of RCI members.