LAVAL, QC — The Société de transport de Laval (STL) set in motion a smog alert response last Saturday, which lasted for three days. The operation went very well, according to the STL. A fare reduction — down to only $1 per person — prompted more than 4,400 more transit users to opt for public transit, up five per cent over the average number of trips during this time of the year. Nearly 24,000 riders took advantage of the special $1 fare during those three days. STL has made a commitment to donate the proceeds of the first 5,000 trips to Equiterre.
   
This special reduced fare is offered the day after a smog warning issued by Environment Canada, which hadn't yet made such an announcement this summer.
   
The STL expects that the number of riders who will take advantage of the discount will increase if there are more alerts this summer.

Of all the policies I've seen so far regarding smog alert responses, this certainly has a lot of appeal. Could bigger cities gain by reducing fares in a similar manner on smog alert days? Cities like Toronto could certainly use some ideas. If any readers have heard of other types of responses to smog alerts, let me know by commenting below.

GENEVA — We're coming a bit late to this one, but last week the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) updated its Water Facts and Trends publication, which now includes recent information on access to water and sanitation, areas of economic and physical water scarcity and economic considerations in water management. This working document provides an overview of some basic facts and societal challenges related to water. It has been developed by the WBCSD secretariat and is intended to support the ongoing dialogue within the WBCSD membership and with other stakeholders in civil society and government.

The emphasis in this document is on water availability and people's use of water for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes. It aims to be a helpful complement to the rest of the projects' activities that seek to get water higher on everyone's business agenda by providing frameworks and tools to support water management plans, as well as sharing best practice across sectors.

The WBCSD has used existing data from several United Nations organizations, documents prepared for the World Water Forums, the OECD, the World Resources Institute and other research organizations. It's presented here in a simplified and condensed format to promote understanding of the world water situation and to stimulate forward thinking on business as part of the solution to issues in water and sanitation.

For a copy of the publication, click here.

ROSWELL, Ga — Late last week, Kimberly-Clark Professional announced it had received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification for a broad range of tissue and towel products, making it the first "away-from-home" tissue products provider in North America to receive this distinction.

"FSC standards are globally recognized as the highest social and environmental standards in forestry," said Richard Thorne, vice president of Kimberly-Clark Professional North America. "This certification enables us to support forest stewardship as well as continue to provide a wide range of sustainable product choices for our customers."

The certification applies to a variety of Kimberly-Clark Professional tissue products marketed under the Kleenex and Scott brand names for the away-from-home market. The products will feature the FSC label on their packaging starting in September 2009. The label certifies that the wood fiber used to make the products comes from well-managed FSC-certified forests or from post-consumer recycled fiber. FSC chain of custody procedures provide a link between the forest where the fiber originated and the product into which it is manufactured. Possession and transfer of wood fiber from the FSC-certified forest are tracked through every stage of manufacture.

"Kimberly-Clark is the first tissue company in North America to seek and obtain FSC chain-of-custody certification," said Corey Brinkema, President, FSC-US.  "FSC and Kimberly-Clark share the belief that FSC-certified primary wood fiber and recycled fiber can both be used in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible, while providing the product performance that customers expect from these well-known brands. Today's announcement demonstrates Kimberly-Clark's commitment to the responsible use of wood fiber and reflects its industry-leading practices in this area."

FSC is an international, independent organization dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world's forests. It was founded in response to public concern about deforestation and demand for a trustworthy wood-labeling system. FSC has developed a system of forest certification and product labeling that allows consumers to identify wood and wood-based products from well-managed forests that meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. FSC is also the only forest certification system supported by such major environmental groups as Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Nature Conservancy, and National Wildlife Federation.
   
"Kimberly-Clark Professional prides itself on our balanced approach to the environment," said Thorne.  "We have long been leaders in providing high-performance, environmentally responsible, source-reduced products. The FSC certification is a major initiative, taking us to the next stage in our efforts to achieve the highest levels of environmental responsibility."

In addition to its FSC-certified products, Kimberly-Clark Professional uses FSC-certified paper for its catalogs, brochures and other printed materials.  All catalogs and many other printed materials are also available online, which helps reduce the number of paper copies.

For more information, visit www.kcprofessional.com.

OTTAWA — Last week, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) and its member utilities released the inaugural Sustainable Electricity Annual Report outlining the overall sustainable development performance of the electricity industry in 2008. The Sustainable Electricity program, launched in February 2009, commits CEA members to pursuing business activities in a sustainable manner so that the industry can meet the needs of present and future generations. In order to ensure full transparency with industry stakeholders, the Sustainable Electricity program is guided by a Public Advisory Panel, chaired by the Honourable Mike Harcourt, 30th premier of British Columbia. The panel is comprised of distinguished Canadians with diverse experiences in government, academia, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry, and the Aboriginal community.
   
"The release of the inaugural Sustainable Electricity annual report marks an important milestone in our efforts to be transparent and to communicate our sustainable development performance to stakeholders", said Pierre Guimond, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association. "We want the electricity industry in Canada to be recognized as a true sustainability leader around the world," he added.
   
While challenges remain, the overall sustainable development performance of CEA member utilities continues to improve. In 2008, absolute air emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) declined by thirteen percent, seven percent, and eight percent respectively;
although emission intensity levels remained fairly constant. The decline in emissions can be attributed to a combination of factors including a higher level of production from non-emitting generation sources (such as hydro and nuclear) and decrease in fossil generation in some provinces. Similarly, health and safety performance of CEA member utilities improved overall, except in regards to injury severity. The Average All Injury Rate across CEA member utilities was 2.88 injuries per 200,000 hours worked (a 4.3 per cent improvement over 2007), and the Accident Severity Rate was 21.10 days lost per 200,000 hours worked (a 30 per cent increase over 2007). In terms of economic performance, CEA members continued to invest in new essential infrastructure to enhance system reliability to meet the needs of current and future Canadians.
   
"Our objective is to encourage companies to continuously improve their performance and to work towards excellence", said Pat Youzwa, President and CEO of SaskPower and Chair of the Sustainable Electricity Executive Council. "This is only the beginning. We are determined to build a sustainable electricity future for future generations," she added.
   
"The Public Advisory Panel is pleased to see proactive initiatives being taken to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, reduce air emissions, effectively engage Aboriginal peoples, and to improve health and safety performance", said Mike Harcourt, Chair of the Panel. "We will work closely with CEA and its members to continuously improve sustainability performance and to ensure that the program principles are fully adhered to", added Harcourt.

CEA members generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional customers across Canada on a daily basis. A national industry association, CEA includes all facets of the electricity industry from vertically integrated electric utilities and power marketers, to manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services. CEA represents the broad interests of this pivotal industry, whose role in assuring safe, reliable, and competitively-priced energy is essential to the prosperity of present and future generations.

The 2008 Sustainable Electricity Annual Report is available at www.SustainableElectricity.ca.

TORONTO — RBC today announced its latest round of RBC Blue Water Project Leadership Grant recipients. Thirty-one organizations, selected out of 159 applicants from around the world, will share more than $4,194,000 million in grants for programs that help protect watersheds and improve access to clean drinking water. Recipients will deliver programs in Canada, the United States and the British Isles.
   
"Once again, we were pleased by the quality of grant applications in this second year of the RBC Blue Water Project," said Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. "It's gratifying to see that there's such a vital network of organizations who share our concern for water and that so many people are doing critical, on-the-ground work protecting fresh water resources worldwide."
   
"It was a daunting exercise to evaluate and choose from the 159 applications," said Rob de Loe, professor and University Research Chair in Water Policy and Governance, University of Waterloo, and chair of the RBC Blue Water Project Advisory Panel. "We were looking for innovative, collaborative programs that would provide a significant, measurable environmental and social impact. I'm confident that the 31 finalists represent a strong-cross section of local, regional and national programs that will result in better protection for watersheds and improved access to clean drinking water."
   
The RBC Blue Water Project is intended help foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada and abroad and includes a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to programs supporting watershed protection and access to clean drinking water. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than $20.48 million in single and multi-year grants to 155 organizations, including the 31 announced today.

For more information on the RBC Blue Water Project, as well as grant guidelines and application forms, visit www.rbc.com/bluewater.

TORONTO — First Capital Realty Inc., a large owner, developer and operator of supermarket and drugstore-anchored neighbourhood and community shopping centres in Canada, yesterday announced the release of the Company's first Corporate Sustainability Report outlining First Capital's various environmental sustainability initiatives.
   
In May 2006 First Capital Realty became Canada's first shopping centre owner, developer and operator to commit all of its new projects to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. In 2008 alone the company invested more than $180 million in properties developed to LEED standards across Canada while implementing a number of other operating programs to become more energy efficient, reduce waste and water consumption, and to increase recycling. Today First Capital has completed or has underway more than 30 properties across the country designed to LEED specifications.
   
The Company's Morningside Crossing, opened in September 2008, was the first shopping centre in Toronto built to LEED standards and demonstrated the
results of First Capital Realty's commitment to environmental sustainability. The property diverted over 95% of construction waste, or more than 12,500 metric tons, from landfill, reduced landscaping water requirements by 50% and interior water usage by more than 43%, and optimized energy performance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 tons of CO2 per year.
   
"We are proud to be Canada's first shopping centre owner, developer and operator to build to LEED standards. Our new Corporate Sustainability Report formalizes this commitment to responsible environmental practices, as well as the highest standards of business ethics and corporate governance," commented
Dori J. Segal, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe this commitment provides a strong base for future prosperity, ensures the long-term viability of the Company, and defines our reputation as a contributor to the communities in which we live and work. It's a philosophy that's right for our business today, and in the future."
   
For a copy of First Capital Realty's Corporate Sustainability Report, visit the company web site at www.firstcapitalrealty.ca.

WASHINGTON, DC, — Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced earlier this week a stronger fiber sourcing standard that will increase conservation of forests globally and will make the company a leader for sustainably produced tissue products. Greenpeace, which worked with Kimberly-Clark on its revised standards, announced that it will end its "Kleercut" campaign, which focused on the company and its brands.
   
"We are committed to using environmentally responsible wood fiber and today's announcement enhances our industry-leading practices in this area," said Suhas Apte, Kimberly-Clark Vice President of Environment, Energy, Safety, Quality and Sustainability. "It is our belief that certified primary wood fiber and recycled fiber can both be used in an environmentally responsible way and can provide the product performance that customers and consumers expect from our well-known tissue brands. We commend Greenpeace for helping us develop more sustainable standards."
   
Kimberly-Clark has set a goal of obtaining 100 per cent of the company's wood fiber for tissue products, including the Kleenex brand, from environmentally responsible sources. The revised standards will enhance the protection of Endangered Forests and increase the use of both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fiber and recycled fiber. By the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will ensure that 40 per cent of its North American tissue fiber is either recycled or FSC certified — a 71 per cent increase from 2007 levels that represents 600,000 tonnes of fiber.
   
"Today, ancient forests like the Boreal Forest have won," said Richard Brooks, Greenpeace Canada Forest Campaign Coordinator. "This new relationship
between Kimberly-Clark and Greenpeace will promote forest conservation, responsible forest management, and recycled fiber as far and wide as possible."
   
Also by the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will eliminate the purchase of any fiber from the Canadian Boreal Forest that is not FSC certified.
   
Furthermore, the revised standards reinforce Kimberly-Clark's long-standing ban on use of wood fiber from illegal sources; adds a preference for post-consumer recycled fiber; and supports expansion of recycling initiatives and the identification, mapping and protection of areas that have the potential to be designated as Endangered or High Conservation Value forests.
   
"These revised standards are proof that when responsible companies and Greenpeace come together, the results can be good for business and great for the planet," said Scott Paul, Greenpeace USA Forest Campaign Director. "Kimberly-Clark's efforts are a challenge to its competitors. I hope other companies pay close attention."

For more information visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

TORONTO — More than 10,000 suppliers and 600 commercial real estate properties in North America will be involved in a new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) initiative. To help further reduce the environmental impact of the buildings they manage, Bentall announced today its ForeverGreen Purchasing program.
   
EPP, according to Bentall, is the sourcing and procurement of products and services that meet conventional technical performance standards while minimizing environmental impact. The development of ForeverGreen Purchasing, a formal EPP program, is aimed at reinforcing Bentall's commitment to strategically develop and continually improve environmental best practices with regard to their managed properties and the impact they have on the communities in which they do business. Created in collaboration with Five Winds International, the program aims to leverage the scale of Bentall's purchasing power to encourage and influence markets for more environmentally preferable products and services.
   
"Comprised in part of a series of guidance documents specifically designed for the property management industry, Bentall's EPP program helps staff avoid 'paralysis by analysis' when buying green," says Giselle Gagnon, Vice President, National Real Estate Services at Bentall. "An increasing number of suppliers are promoting green offerings and EPP arms our property teams with innovative tools to help them in the buying process".
   
Embedded in Bentall's EPP is 'life cycle thinking'. This approach involves consideration of a product from resource extraction, through manufacturing, transport, use and disposal.
   
"ForeverGreen Purchasing raises the bar and contributes to our culture of conservation and sustainability", says Cheryl Gray, Senior Vice President, National Real Estate Services.

For more information about Bentall and its programs, visit www.bentall.com.

TORONTO — A new publication from the Chartered Accountants of Canada provides a series of questions corporate directors can ask relating to the business implications of climate change.

The Risk Management and Governance Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) commissioned the publication titled "Climate Change Briefing — Questions for Directors to Ask" to increase awareness among corporate board members about the business impacts and governance issues associated with climate change. The publication was co-authored by Julie Desjardins and Alan Willis, experienced CAs who have contributed valuable guidance relating to climate change for many years.

"At a company level, climate change is a business and shareholder value issue affecting strategy, risk management and financial performance," said Desjardins. "The need to address the effects of climate change is coupled with the need to consider the impacts of anticipated government regulations which are expected to progressively put a price on carbon."

There are two aspects of climate change for companies to address. First is adaptation or what action is being taken to respond to the anticipated effects of climate change on company operations, such as extreme weather conditions. Second is mitigation or what is being done to reduce the company's own greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

The questions raised in the CICA publication are intended to provide insight and stimulate discussion on climate change matters.

"On-going board vigilance is required to keep abreast of the fast evolving business impact of climate change," said Willis. "Directors are key players in providing the necessary leadership, tone and management oversight in determining how climate change issues are factored into a company's strategic decisions."

The publication is available on-line in the climate change section of the CICA's website (www.cica.ca).

WASHINGTON, DC — A new website is being launched by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to highlight strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation. The website, Real Transportation Solutions for Green House Gas Emissions, includes best practices, state examples, research findings, and links to other climate change information sites.

"State departments of transportation are committed to doing our share to reach a goal of reducing greenhouse gases in the United States 80 per cent by 2050, compared to 2005 levels," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley.

"When you consider that autos and light-duty trucks contribute 16.5 percent of the greenhouse gases in the United States, it's obvious to us that transportation must play a significant role in the solution," said Horsley. "The key is to invest in realistic and livable solutions that can help us meet our GHG reduction goals."

AASHTO's new website provides information on four basic strategies:

• Smarter Driving: Reducing the annual growth in driving;
• Better Fuels: Shifting to fuels that produce low or zero carbon dioxide;
• Better Cars: Increasing vehicle fuel efficiency; and
• Optimizing the System: Improving the efficiency and operation of the transportation system.

Accomplishing these goals will require holding growth in miles driven in the United States to one per cent annually and initiating attainable land use strategies, which include increasing transit usage, car and van pooling, telecommuting, bicycling, and walking.

Further GHG reductions will be achieved through effective management of available road capacity and by reducing congestion delays through the use of intelligent transportation systems. These high tech tools will maximize efficiency by giving motorists' real time travel information about bottlenecks, traffic mishaps and road hazards.

Major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will depend to a large extent on cleaner cars and cleaner fuels. Technological advances have been responsible for dramatic reductions in air pollution and will be the predominant answer to reducing transportation GHG.

The website also highlights the wide spectrum of research that is under way or planned to further evaluate the effectiveness of greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies.

"This is a critical issue as the nation implements efforts to reduce emissions," said Horsley. "Both the House Climate Change Bill and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Surface Transportation authorization bill require that as a part of the transportation planning process, States and their metropolitan planning organizations must establish greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and strategies to meet those targets."

"This is a 40 year mission, but every day counts," said John Horsley. "The stakes are too high to get this wrong and that's why we're hoping policy makers, journalists and the general public will turn to this website for realistic solutions that will help us reach our goal."

In addition to the website, AASHTO has also issued a companion brochure, titled Real Transportation Solutions to Greenhouse Gas Emissions. To download the report and to access the website go to http://www.transportation1.org/RealSolutions.