The objective of this initiative is to develop a full complement of natural resource accounts for Alberta's natural capital - oil, gas, coal, timber, wildlife, wilderness, air, and water. To date, preliminary physical and monetary accounts have been developed for oil, gas, coal, timber, and carbon. The accounts provide vital information to derive indicators of sustainability. Taken together, the physical and monetary accounts provide an assessment of the sustainability of the physical quantity and quality of natural resources and an assessment of sustainable income. Indicators derived form the accounts include: a timber sustainability index; economic reserve life for non-renewable energy; and estimates of sustainable income form non-renewable energy consumption. Future work includes development of accounts for water (supply and quality); air quality; wildlife; and ecosystems.

Performance Indicators for Indoor Air Quality
   (University of Calgary - Christine Schuh)

The objective is to develop a fast and simple management tool for building owners & managers that allows for the prediction, assessment, and verification of indoor air quality. The development of the indicator set is based on the pressure-state-response framework. A case study method is being used to develop these performance indicators. The initial development of the indoor air quality indicators will use the building managers and occupants of the case study as stakeholders. The verification process will use building managers operating similar buildings across Canada and building managers operating different types of buildings in Calgary as stakeholders. Six general indoor air quality management goals have been established.

State of the Environment Reporting in Alberta
   (Alberta Environmental Protection)

The objective of this initiative is to provide timely, accurate and accessible information on ecosystem conditions and trends, their significance and societal responses, emphasizing the use of indicators. The focus is on different annual themes: waste, aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystem, and air. A comprehensive overview of the state of the environment is conducted every five years. Within the context of sustainable development, which integrates environmental, economic and social considerations, state of the environment reporting uses, at least in this instance, an ecosystem approach and a stress-condition-response framework.

Manitoba Sustainable Development
   (Manitoba Conservation)

This project is part of the Sustainability Indicators Initiative undertaken by the Manitoba government in 1998. The purpose of the initiative is to develop a set of sustainability indicators that, when tracked over time, will provide Manitobans with timely, accurate information on important sustainability issues and trends. It is anticipated that reporting regularly on these indicators will help facilitate the establishment of provincial targets and policies for sustainable development, as well as provide a measure of performance in achieving provincial goals and objectives.

Northern River Basins Study
   (National Hydrology Research Institute (NHRI), Environment Canada)

The purpose of the study is to understand and characterize the cumulative effects of the development on the water and aquatic environment of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. One component of the study involved the identification of potential ecological indicators that could be used in future monitoring programs assessing the health and integrity of the aquatic environment of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. The model used in developing the indicators includes a social, economic, and scientific component. Under each, an objective, an indicator, a measurement, and remediation/adjustment was identified. Indicator selection was based on several criteria such as ecological parameters that are currently being monitored including others that could be monitored over the long-term at low cost. Seven key indicators were proposed for the aquatic environment on the basis that the 'integrity' of the Delta ecosystem would be altered if any one were to be impacted by anthropogenic stresses. The proposed indicators include: 3 physical/chemical variables (climate, water quality, and water level) and 4 structural indicators (clam-shrimp abundance, fish community structure, goldeye abundance, and walleye commercial harvest).

Prairie Ecozone Pilot Project
   (Manitoba Environment, State of the Environment Reporting)

The project was established to develop a reporting framework and set of indicators for sustainable development for the Prairie Ecozone that incorporates environmental, economic and social perspectives. The initiative was borne out of a partnership between Manitoba Environment, the Sustainable Development Coordination Unit (SDCU) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg. A comprehensive set of indicators, specific to Manitoba, was developed under the following four categories: natural environment, economy, community assets and human life. The results of the pilot project are published in the State of the Environment Report for Manitoba 1997, and include a detailed listing of indicators used in the report and trend information. The indicators will be refined over time to accurately portray complex environmental-economic-social relationships.

Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development

The Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development has produced an Alberta Sustainability Trends report on Genuine Progress Indicators from 1961 to 1999. Tracking 51 economic, social, health and environmental Genuine Progress Indicators (GPIs), the report examines the overall conditions of the well-being of Alberta residents over the last 40 years. The report found that while economic indicators rose, there was a decline in a composite index of the 22 social and human health indicators, and in another composite of 17 environment and resource sustainability indicators.

State of the Environment Report for Manitoba, 1997
   (Government of Manitoba)