Environmental Leadership

Canadian enterprises have been leaders in demonstrating how enhanced environmental performance adds value and contributes to long-term success.

• Many Canadian corporations and sectors have developed comprehensive environmental management systems and 'beyond regulation" performance systems. They have invested heavily in research and development that can bring new generations of technology and products with better economic and environmental performance. Large companies in particular should do more to encourage the adoption of such "best practices" by a wider array of firms through their relationships with suppliers and customers.
• One example of Canadian environmental leadership can be seen in the chemical sector, where the Canadian industry was a leader in developing the "Responsible Care" initiative. This benchmark initiative is a comprehensive management program aimed at the environment, health and safety and community relations, and has since been adopted by the chemical industries of a large number of developed and developing countries.