Sustainable Electricity

Electricity Canada members are committed to providing electricity services to current and future customers in a sustainable, safe, reliable, and cost-effective manner.

Overview

Electricity Canada and its member companies are committed to sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as pursuing progressive business strategies and activities that meet the needs of the present, while enhancing the environmental, social, and economic resources that will be needed in the future.

Electricity Canada created the Sustainable Electricity™ program to integrate sustainability into member company activities, foster continuous performance improvement, and advance the public acceptance and support for utility operations in Canada. Participation in the program is mandatory for Electricity Canada members and is implemented under the strategic guidance of the Electricity Canada Board of Directors.

Member companies submit detailed annual reports on their performance in the five strategic areas that form the pillars of the Sustainable Electricity program.

  • Low-Carbon Future
  • Infrastructure Renewal & Modernization
  • Building Relationships
  • Risk Management Systems
  • Business Innovation

Each year, Electricity Canada uses the collected data to produce the Sustainable Electricity Annual Report.

Foundational Elements

While the Sustainable Electricity™ (SE) Program is responsive to the diversity of its members, the program is founded on the following elements:

  • All member companies agree and adhere to the Sustainable Development – Corporate Responsibility Policy
  • All member companies report on their Sustainable Electricity key performance indicators, which are synthesized in an annual report
  • Individual company sustainability performance is independently verified
  • Electricity Canada’s Public Advisory Panel provides feedback on the members’ sustainability performance

Did You Know?

  • The SE program was officially launched in 2009 under the traditional three pillars of Environment, Social and Economy. The program was redesigned in 2015 under the current five-pillar format to allow member companies to better integrate sustainability principles into their day-to-day operations.
  • Electricity Canada’s SE Program was preceded by the Environmental Commitment and Responsibility Program, established in 1997.

Key Messages

  • Electricity companies provide an essential service, and in turn rely on a healthy environment, healthy communities, and a healthy bottom line. Electricity Canada members are committed to continuously improving their environmental, social, and economic performance to continue to serve Canadians for the long run.
  • Environmental Social Governance (ESG) measures are more important than ever for securing funding and community support.

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