Spotlight
7 Motivations for Lighter Living Action in BCWe shed light on what motivates people to engage in sustainable living actions in British Columbia, including and beyond environmental motivations. Download the report, explore the DIY Toolkit and watch the webinars here (webpage).
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Sustainable Lifestyles GuideAction-oriented ideas for supporting sustainable living. Including ideas for doing this in the workplace! with examples from around the world. Prioritization is according to the ecological footprint. Download the Report (PDF).
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Local Governments and the Sharing EconomyA guide for municipalities on how they can get ahead of the tsunami of sharing economy initiatives and identify which will advance their climate and environmental goals and foster more sustainable cities. Download the Report (PDF).
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At a Glance
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Publications
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Events and Webinars
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Publications
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7 Motivations for Lighter Living Action in British Columbia
By OneEarth and the Share Reuse Repair Initiative (ver. June 2021) Report (PDF) Find out the WHYs behind buying second-hand, eating more plant-based, reducing our home energy use... and what this new research means for mainstreaming sustainable living. We'd love to hear how you apply the 7 Motivations:
Citation: OneEarth/ SRRI (2021). 7 Motivations for Lighter Living Action in BC. Vancouver: OneEarth. |
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Sustainable Lifestyles: Options and Opportunities
By Dagmar Timmer, Dwayne Appleby, and Vanessa Timmer (2018) Report (PDF) This report shares proven actions and campaigns that can be run by those with limited resources who want maximum impact reducing the footprint of food, housing, mobility. Globally, people are weaving sustainability into their daily lives — meeting needs and pursuing wellbeing and aspirations through building community; reducing meat and dairy consumption; wasting less food and using leftovers; reusing, repairing, recycling, sharing and borrowing goods; and enjoying the things that matter most, such as friends, experiences and nature. This is impressive since aspirations of ‘the good life’ continue to be strongly influenced by pro-consumption messaging and because people who are aware may not have more sustainable options available. Yet, taken together these actions are piecemeal and do not capture the full potential that holistic sustainable living initiatives can offer. This publication addresses this gap. It provides a sample of proven lifestyles options and opportunities including in the areas of food, mobility, housing, consumer goods, and leisure and encourages creating holistic sustainable living initiatives. The audience is people running campaigns and initiatives with limited resources who want maximum impact. We welcome you to explore these opportunities and to create initiatives that work in your context — because what works in Brazil is different from what works in Morocco. Citation: United Nations Environment Programme, OneEarth (2018). Sustainable Lifestyles: Options and Opportunities. Paris: UN Environment. |
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Sustainable Lifestyles: Options & Opportunities in the Workplace
By Dagmar Timmer, Dwayne Appleby, and Vanessa Timmer (2018) Report (PDF) This is the companion report on options and opportunities that workplaces can take to support their employees in living more sustainable lifestyles. Workplaces can support their employees and customers to live more sustainable lives and lifestyles. Companies can incentivize employees and customers to adopt sustainable ways of eating, moving, consuming, and engaging in leisure activities, and can demonstrate these actions at work. This publication shares opportunities in these areas. Workplaces can bring these actions together in holistic sustainable living initiatives. The target audience is urban workplaces (and the organizations that work with them) that are committed to sustainability. Citation: United Nations Environment Programme, One Earth (2018). Sustainable Lifestyles: Options and Opportunities in the Workplace. Paris: UN Environment. |
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Fostering and Communicating Sustainable Lifestyles: Principles and Emerging Practices
By SCORAI, OneEarth, Climate Access, and Tellus Institute (2016) Report (PDF); webinar below Handout (PDF) Case Studies (PDFs) Blog Post (Climate Access - Link) OneEarth is co-author of a UN Environment report that sets out a strategy roadmap for fostering and communicating sustainable lifestyles, illustrated by cases from around the world. Fostering and Communicating Sustainable Lifestyles: Principles and Emerging Practices furthers understanding of sustainable lifestyles to accelerate their widespread adoption. This report offers a four step strategy roadmap for success with eight operating principles to guide the design, adaptation, and evaluation of sustainable lifestyles campaigns and initiatives. 16 cases explore how sustainable lifestyle campaigns intersect with key aspects of meeting core domain needs around food, shelter, mobility, leisure time, and human connections. The report uses the principles to interpret and evaluate these cases and offers insights on how to apply key learnings. The report co-authors are: Philip J. Vergragt and Halina Szejnwald Brown (SCORAI – Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative), Vanessa Timmer, Dagmar Timmer, Dwayne A. Appleby (OneEarth), Cara Pike, Sutton Eaves, Rebecca McNeil (Climate Access), and John Stutz (Tellus Institute). The co-authors gratefully acknowledge the team at UN Environment for their support, as well as the project advisors and others who contributed key insights and support. |
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Lighter Footprint: Research Report and Recommendations to the City of Vancouver
By Vanessa Timmer and Dagmar Timmer (2017) Report (PDF) In this briefing, we outlined the opportunity space around the Lighter Footprint goal and focused on actions the City itself can take to achieve its goal of a 33% footprint reduction over 2006 levels by 2020. We profiled existing City actions areas that are moving in the right direction and can be further amplified, including initiatives advancing multi-modal transportation, building efficiency, and local food. We also look at how the City can continue to support community efforts in neighbourhoods, research and beyond (e.g., Green Bloc, Greenest City grants, Greenest City scholars). We identified five gap areas which we recommended the City target in the coming two years:
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Local Governments and the Sharing Economy
By Rosemary Cooper and Vanessa Timmer (2015) Produced by OneEarth as part of Cities for People (LocalGovSharingEcon.com) Report (PDF) English Summary Report (PDF) French Summary Report (PDF) Blog Post (J.W. McConnell Family Foundation website - Link) More info (Local Governments and the Sharing Economy website - Link) Webinar below The Local Governments and the Sharing Economy roadmap explores the question: How can cities strategically engage with the Sharing Economy to advance sustainability? The LGSE roadmap analyzes shared mobility, spaces, goods and community sharing - and, to a lighter degree, shared food and energy - using a six-part sustainability filter. There are three key messages: 1. The Sharing Economy is not inherently sustainable but cities can help to make it more so. 2. Community sharing is a promising area where local governments can play proactive, enabling roles. 3. Addressing data gaps is critical for understanding sustainability impacts on cities. In the report:
The OneEarth team is grateful to our expert advisors and the advisory committee of eight Canadian and US member cities of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. You can read more including an excerpt from the roadmap in our blog post. |
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Sustainable Production and Consumption Framing Research Summary
By Cara Pike, Social Capital Strategies with One Earth (2015) Report (PDF) How do we talk about sustainable consumption and production? What are the best ways to frame and communicate this topic? This research project focused on gaining a better understanding of how Canadians and Americans view sustainable consumption and production, particularly city sustainability directors. We look at the challenges and opportunities that exist for developing new cultural narratives that effectively engage stakeholders. This report attempts to summarize the state of Canadian and U.S. public opinion around sustainable production and consumption issues, as well as the opportunities and barriers for engagement on this issue. It draws from more than 23 Canadian and U.S. opinion polls, 20 academic studies, and 16 media stories on public opinion and communication trends related to sustainable production and consumption. The report was also informed by 9 interviews with thought leaders on sustainable production and consumption issues with a focus on municipal leaders; as well as a review of 25 nonprofit, government and research websites. This report was developed and written by Cara Pike, Social Capital Strategies in consultation with and supported by OneEarth as part of a grant from The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation Cities for People initiative. |
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Co-Creating Sustainable Ways of Living: 17 Stories of On-the-Ground Innovations
By Atsushi Watabe, co-authored by Simon Gilby, Ryu Koide, Caiia Mao, Mizuki Kato, Patricia Vilchis-Tella, and Stefanie Chan (reviewed by Mike Ward, Vanessa Timmer, and Dwayne Appleby) (2020) Report (PDF) Our lifestyles, through the impacts of our day-to-day activities such as eating, moving and commuting, heating and cooling our homes, caring, working, and so on, have become major threats to the sustainability of the environment. While continued economic growth and urbanisation in many countries are expected, it is imperative to consider how we could shift our current consumption-intensive ways of life into more responsible ones which produce fewer negative impacts. At the same time, people in many societies suffer from instability or insecurity of living, in association with rapid changes in environmental, economic, and societal conditions. We need to continue our efforts to create a society where everyone can meet their needs in more resilient and reliable ways. Given these multi-dimensional challenges, we need to find and create pathways that enable different patterns of living which reduce the negative impacts from our life on the environment and society, and realise more secure and stable means of meeting day-to-day needs. In this context, the Sustainable Lifestyles and Education (SLE) Programme was launched in 2014 as one of the six programmes under the UN 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP, which is now known as the One-Planet Network). The SLE Programme has supported 25 projects (of which 17 were completed by 2019) that are fostering the shift to more sustainable ways of living, based on the unique contexts of local societies. This report elaborates on the essential points of these projects, including the challenges of sustainable lifestyles, opportunities utilised, actions taken, learning, and other achievements. |
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Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth
By William E. Rees and Mathis Wackernagel (1996) Available for Purchase Bill Rees is a co-founder of OneEarth and Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia (his website shares his extensive research work). You can also follow him on Facebook or Twitter. 'Ecological footprint’ - a concept which Bill invented - is now an entry in the Oxford dictionary of the English language. He co-developed the approach with Mathis Wackernagel and they wrote the book, Our Ecological Footprint. You can follow the footprint's practical application and calculate your own footprint through the work of The Global Footprint Network, which Mathis co-founded. OneEarth is producing an archive of all of his publications in partnership with the University of British Columbia, as part of its CirCL online archive. |
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North American Actor and Activity Map on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)
By Emmanual Prinet, with Danielle Moulé, Vanessa Timmer, and Dagmar Timmer (2011) Report (PDF) OneEarth produced a North American Actor & Activity Map on Sustainable Consumption and Production, as a project for Industry Canada. It is a detailed report that maps out actors and activities in Canada and the USA engaged in advancing SCP. It explores production and consumption as a system, identifies some of the key communities of practice already engaged in this field in North America, and provides recommendations to the Government of Canada on its possible roles to promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production. Prinet, E., Moulé, D, Timmer, V. and Timmer, D. (2011) North American Actor and Activity Map on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). Vancouver, Canada. Report published for Industry Canada. |
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Voices of New Economies
By OneEarth, New Economy Institute with Cities for People and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation (2015) Report (PDF) Webinar below The Voices of New Economies report is inspired by all those who are rising up to shape new economies that work for people, places and the planet. OneEarth and the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) joined forces to crowdsource definitions of new economies. What began as a series of blogs has been assembled into this compendium report. The compendium gives voice to innovative leaders who are finding different paths forward, and we encourage you to continue this dialogue and map out key ideas, patterns and perspectives and chart new economic approaches. |
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Eco-Strata Guide
By Emmanuel Prinet with support from Dagmar Timmer and Vanessa Timmer (2009) Guide (PDF) The Eco-Strata Guide assists strata councils, cooperatives, developers and management companies in reducing the ecological footprint of existing multi-family dwellings in Metro Vancouver. Partners include the Condominium Home Owners’ Association (CHOA) with funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC. The action ideas outlined in the guide offer win-win solutions for existing apartments, townhouses and condos. They help conserve natural resources as well as provide significant economic savings. |
Events and Webinars
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Sustainable Lifestyles and the Circular Economy: Canadian Insights on Motivations (2020)
Slides (PDF) OneEarth and its partners shed light on what motivates people to engage in sustainable living actions, including and beyond environmental motivations. This official side event of the World Circular Economy Forum was held on 26 November 2020. The team shares findings to date from Insights work in British Columbia conducted during Covid 19, showing that motivations including caring for family, saving money, health and wellness, and supporting local businesses also lead people to choose circular goods and services (e.g., buying quality products that can be repaired, sharing or buying services like mobility, and engaging with the second-hand economy). A strong business case for the circular economy is supported by a better understanding of the mix of motivations beyond the “green” niche. It allows us to expand our target audiences, services and products. This Canadian project is an adaptation of the SITRA "Smart Consumption Profiles" study in Finland, as well as their insights project on market-shaping youth. The British Columbia report will be released in 2021 and activated with partners including businesses. |
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Local Governments Advancing Sustainable Consumption (2020)
Slides (PDF) More info (One Planet Network Website - Link) We have seen great strides to enable sustainable consumption internationally, via the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, and nationally via sustainable consumption strategies. The role of local governments however remains largely unexamined. This webinar showcases the current opportunities and challenges local governments face in advancing sustainable consumption in their communities. Taking Sweden as a springboard for discussion a panel discusses next steps and recommendations for more progress on sustainable consumption through municipalities. The panel of speakers showcase how local governments can advance both municipal sustainable consumption through public procurement and the sustainable consumption of citizens and businesses. Recorded 25 November 2020. Read more. |
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Lighter Living: Better Everyday Lives for People and Planet (2019)
An evening of inspiring talks and interactive dialogue on mainstreaming environmental sustainability into our daily lives - living well for all within the Earth's life support systems. Around the world, people are figuring out how to live better lives that don't cost the earth, are just, and improve the quality of our lives. Transforming our everyday lives is essential, as over 70% of global emissions are induced by household consumption of electricity, fuels, products and services. This event provided an opportunity to learn about living lighter and better, and to identify solutions that shift our everyday lives towards greater environmental sustainability. We discovered who is leading on sustainable living globally and in our region – from individuals to governments to companies – and shared our own actions and experiences on this global challenge. We began the event by highlighting how to: - Join the growing movement on Lighter Living supported by Vancity and One Earth, - Work together to make the City of Vancouver the Greenest City highlighted by Brad Badelt, Assistant Director, Sustainability Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability, City of Vancouver, and - Advance social and environmental justice and community partnerships with SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. |
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Voices of New Economies (2015)
The Voices of New Economies webinar is inspired by all those who are rising up to shape new economies that work for people, places and the planet. One Earth and the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) joined forces to crowdsource definitions of new economies. What began as a series of blogs has been assembled into this compendium report. The compendium gives voice to innovative leaders who are finding different paths forward, and we encourage you to continue this dialogue and map out key ideas, patterns and perspectives and chart new economic approaches. |
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Local Governments and the Sharing Economy (2015)
By Rosemary Cooper and Vanessa Timmer (2015) Slides (PDF) Transcript (PDF) More Info (Local Governments and the Sharing Economy Website - Link) How can cities strategically engage with the Sharing Economy to advance sustainability? Lead authors Rosemary Cooper and Vanessa Timmer walk through a roadmap for cities facing a tsunami of sharing economy initiatives. Take a look at shared mobility, spaces, goods and community sharing - and, to a lighter degree, shared food and energy - using a six-part sustainability filter.
This roadmap was developed and written by One Earth supported by a grant from The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation as part of the Cities for People initiative. The One Earth team is grateful to our expert advisors and the advisory committee of eight Canadian and US member cities of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. |