Backgrounder
One-Tonne Challenge Partnerships
Working together with retailers, industry, utilities, communities and others groups across Canada, the One-Tonne Challenge (OTC) will provide Canadians with the information, motivation and the tools they need to take action on climate change. The Government of Canada will build on investments made through the Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) and on existing programs and services, including energy efficiency programs, community-based social marketing initiatives, and municipal activities.
Together, we will develop the employee awareness programs, retail promotions and other approaches that will encourage and support energy efficiency and other decisions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at home and on the road.
Examples include:
- Sobeys and Quebec-based Alcoa are already engaging their employees in the challenge.
- The Pembina Institute has engaged major companies such as Suncor, Shell and PetroCanada in employee-based emissions reduction activities.
- Home Depot and the Hudson’s Bay Company are looking at ways to link existing programs and promotions to the OTC goal.
- Labour groups have expressed their interest in educational programs to encourage workers to get involved.
- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Green Communities Association are already working with the OTC program to develop an approach for community challenges. Pilot challenges in communities across the country will help pave the way for broad public participation.
- The non-government community has provided important advice to the program and expressed an interest in helping to promote the challenge among the environmental community.
- Discussions are underway with TD Financial regarding ways for its Friends of the Environment Foundation funding to support community challenge groups.
- Public Education and Outreach "Hubs" in most provinces and territories will play an important coordination and networking role and provide advice to the OTC program as it develops.
Building the capacity of the next generation to choose a lifestyle that minimizes their impact on the environment is also essential. The Youth Environmental Network has consulted youth groups across the country to develop a by-youth-for-youth component of the challenge, which recognizes the key role youth leaders can play in influencing change.
As part of the March 26 announcement of the OTC, Scouts Canada unveiled its nationwide Climate Change Education and Action Program. This comprehensive climate change program, also sponsored by Alcan Inc. and Nexen Inc., will include awareness activities, ideas on how to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions and instructions on how to conduct an energy audit. To complement its current environmental programming, leaders will be encouraged to work with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers on the activities during their regular weekly section meetings.
Engaging students and their families in the OTC is also a priority. Building on investments from the CCAF, educators across Canada are improving access to new and existing climate change educational materials, including the development of on-line resources to support teachers and students alike. This will lead to opportunities for students to apply their learning outside the classroom to include their families and communities.
Partnerships will be essential to the success of the OTC and to effectively respond to climate change. The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians reduce their GHG emissions. At the same time, it is working with industry on a variety of initiatives, including making their operations more energy efficient. Through the OTC, we will be asking them to encourage their employees to make energy efficient choices at home and on the road.
For more information, media may contact:
Alexandra Muir |
Kelly Morgan |
Ghyslain Charron |
Sébastien Bois |
K. Jennifer Austin |
