Tools & Resources


Sustainable Tourism

Government Resources

Environment Canada – Climate Change – climate change information and resources such as Canada’s Climate Change Plan, Climate Change Funding Programs

Department of Environment and Natural Resources – links to Federal Sustainability Strategy, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators, Circular Economy, etc.

Federal 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

Environment and Climate Change Funding Programs

Natural Resources Canada EnerGuide provides information about products, vehicles and homes.  There are also many Energy Efficiency resources available.

Natural Resources Canada has also produced a document on possible energy saving opportunities in the hospitality sector, Energy Innovators Initiative (Hospitality Sector): Saving Energy Dollars in Hotels, Motels & Restaurants (2003).  There is also an Energy Star Score for Hotels in Canada (2020).

Industry Associations and Partnership Organizations

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is world’s oldest and largest ecotourism organization. TIES is committed to promoting the principles of ecotourism and responsible travel.  It provides guidelines, standards, training, technical and educational resources.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has established criteria which serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – read about the 17 goals adopted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  The SDG Actions Platform is a global registry of policies, actions, partnerships and initiatives being undertaken around the world.

Sustaining Tourism – travel tips, destination examples and case studies of sustainable tourism practices around the world.

Non-governmental Organizations

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) is an award winning education and certification program that helps organizations and businesses protect the environment while enhancing their bottom line.

The David Suzuki Foundation aims to educate Canadians on how simple changes in our everyday lives can help slow climate change. Their website has information on Climate change and what you can do to help, both at home and at work.

Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is the trade association that strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade. The Federation is a community of US and Canadian businesses fully committed to fair trade.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the world’s most trusted sustainable forest management solution, certifying over 200 million hectares of forest worldwide.  FSC has a “check tree” label which verifies sustainable sourcing from forest to consumer and can be found on thousands of products worldwide.

Freecycle is a web-based service that aims to reuse and keep good stuff out of landfills, helping people give and get stuff for free in their own towns. Membership in this network is free.

Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the “ecolabelling” of products and services.

Green Tourism helps businesses and organizations to become greener and move toward sustainability by offering advice on various topics such as reducing water and energy usage and ethical buying.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) enables a consensus to be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society. The ISO 14001 family is concerned with various aspects of environmental management systems.

Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization working with business, agriculture and and forests to help make responsible business decisions the new normal.  Some of the organization’s objectives are to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and help to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

SeaChoice has a vision for Canada to be a global leader in environmental conservation and social responsibility in seafood production and procurement.

Sustainable Travel International promotes responsible travel and ecotourism, by supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers protect the cultures and environments they visit.

UNESCO World Heritage Tourism Programme is a new approach to planning for tourism and heritage management by having it integrated at a destination level, ensuring that the natural and cultural assets are valued and protected, and as a result having tourism developed that is appropriate.

Wellness Tourism Association offers the opportunity to build connections with key wellness tourism industry stakeholders and access educational opportunities in this growing sector of the tourism industry.

Funding

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Business Development Program helps entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada access the capital they need to start-up or expand a business. ACOA also coordinates programs designed to stimulate the development and commercialization of new technologies and the climate for business growth in the region.

Environment Canada‘s EcoAction Community Funding Program provides financial support to community groups for projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment. Funding support can be requested for projects that have an action focus, a community capacity building focus, or a combination of both objectives.

Environment Canada Climate Change Resources and Funding Programs

Provincial Information

New Brunswick

Save Energy NB is provided by Energy NB and has efficiency advice for homes and businesses

Recycle NB has a long-term plan to make the province waste free.  They manage waste materials from NB in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way.

UNB Forestry and Environmental Management Research Projects

Newfoundland and Labrador

Atlantic Healthy Oceans Initiative (AHOI) – a non-profit organization working to protect the long-term health of oceans while promoting ways to grow sustainable coastal communities in Western NL.

Take Charge NL – Newfoundland Power offers programs and advice for businesses regarding how to be more energy efficient and save money at the same time.