Services
Sustainability Planning & Strategy
CanSustain uses a comprehensive and successful method for guiding groups through the process of identifying what sustainability means to them and their organization. We can help you and your stakeholders articulate a vision and define actions to work towards that vision. Critical elements to this are providing fact-based sustainability training and developing strategy that works within your existing culture and management practices.
Compliance Planning & assessment
We have extensive experience in the design, implementation, audit and correction of ISO 14001 and other corporate environmental management systems. Our approach to all elements of EMS design and assessment is to ensure that material risks are understood and that appropriate measures are put in place to mitigate that risk while integrating with your existing processes.
Environmental Management Expertise & Support
One of the first steps in identifying and lowering risk is to ensure a comprehensive knowledge of your environmental compliance obligations. CanSustain can help you identify them and figure out how they apply to your organization. We can also assess your operations to determine your level of compliance.
Case studies
The Utility
Client profile
A publicly owned utility that is responsible for generation and transmission of electrical energy in Canada. The utility is a proponent of responsible development, strong community relationships and authentic efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The objective
In the interest of announcing their commitment to sustainability the utility sought award of a national sustainability designation. The designation was designed, awarded and is maintained by a third party. To achieve the designation the utility had to demonstrate that their management practices and operations met international best practice for things such as stakeholder engagement, procurement and environmental protection.
The utility sought external expertise for designing, informing and managing key portions of the sustainability designation process.
The solution
CanSustain had the pleasure of working closely with the management team to establish an efficient and effective method for meeting the criteria of the sustainability designation. That method is presented in the following graphic:
The results
The utility was able to use existing data and stakeholder interests, instead of initiating new conversations. They avoided ‘consultation fatigue’ while being able to demonstrate that sustainability was part of every decision made, and in ways that were relevant to the communities they operated in. They successfully achieved the sustainability designation and continue to be regarded as a top performer among their peers in the industry.
The Municipality
Client profile
A small, yet progressive municipality situated on the shores of an ecologically and commercially important lake in the Canadian prairies. They had a strong citizen group that advocated for sustainable development. The insightful Mayor and CAO looked for opportunities to harness the community voice into vision and action.
The objective
Mayor and Council sought to codify the municipal commitment to sustainability, climate action and lake protection in a stand-alone sustainability strategy. The strategy was to incorporate the interests and future of residents, the latest scientific and ecosystem developments and leverage regional and national partnerships.
The municipality wanted tenured professionals to manage the development of a municipal sustainability strategy that was guided by residents, yet inform the local sustainability team in best practice for strategy design and implementation.
The solution
By understanding the intentions, local culture and governance practices CanSustain was able to offer effective support in the design and construction of a sustainability strategy that met the needs and expectations of residents and Council. The method developed, in conjunction with the municipality, is depicted in the following graphic:
The results
The municipality was able to produce a document that reflected the strength of their residents, the realities of Council and the common values within the region. The strategy has become a ‘best in show’ among smaller communities and funding partners. The boldness of citizen advocacy, Mayor and CAO continues to optimize integration of the sustainability strategy.
The Airport Services Company
Client profile
This Canadian airport service company has a strong track record for developing, managing and supporting airports across Canada. They are able to assure northern and remote communities of continued air service and movement of critical goods. The company has investment or partnership in several other ventures related to transportation and air services support.
The objective
In line with their strategic objectives, the company formed a partnership that was to result in expansion and eventual operation of a geographically significant airport in northern Canada. As part of the management agreement, the company was to operate the facility to the highest environmental standards.
The company needed expert assessment and advice to understand the gaps in the existing environmental management system and provide recommendations to fill those gaps as part of operational conversion and ownership hand-off .
The solution
Because of our strong background and extensive experience in environmental management systems, CanSustain was able to quickly carry out a detailed assessment of management system elements to determine what adjustments would be required to meet the expectations of stakeholders and community members. This was done through carefully crafted interviews and expeditious review of strategically important documents, records and legislation.
The results
The gaps identified and recommendations made were key elements of an efficient transfer of knowledge and operational responsibility. With the help of our expertise, the Company was successful in meeting its strategic and due diligence requirements in a cost-effective way.
The Manufacturer
Client profile
This aerospace company designs and manufactures components for a variety of aerospace and military markets. The company has international brand recognition, established process and complex regulatory obligations. They operate in multiple countries and the value of their products positively impact people and economies all over the world.
The objective
In an effort to fully understand and proactively manage operational risks, the Company was undertaking a due diligence exercise involving the validation of its environmental compliance obligations in a single jurisdiction.
The Company sought experts in environmental legislation to articulate which obligations applied to their operations and how they applied.
The solution
Based on industry experience and comprehensive knowledge of environmental legislation, CanSustain identified potentially applicable legislation, broken down by industrial process and jurisdictional boundaries. Through site assessments and questionnaires, the alignment between legislative requirement and Company process was verified.
The results
The Company took receipt of a powerful suite of information that aligned environmental legislation from multiple jurisdictions with the processes going on in the Company. CanSustain is proud to have supported their efforts in lowering risk and ensuring protection of the natural environments in which they operated.