The mandate for the Sustainability Roundtable was transferred from the Environmental Task Force and then transferred to the Roundtable on the Environment. The following material is provided for archival purposes.

Sustainability means integrating and balancing the competing expectations of the present generation and not compromising the future. Sustainability acknowledges and considers the impact of our decisions and actions beyond the City of Toronto recognizing that continuous commitment is essential.

Sustainability achieves vitality and well-being for all through responsible planning and management of interdependent social, environmental and economic capacities.

The City of Toronto will pursue sustainability through:

• A Shared Vision And Culture of Sustainability
  • Building consensus and a shared vision through open and meaningful public engagement and a transparent, accountable government.
  • Raising the awareness and public profile of sustainability.
  • Fostering a sense of belonging and community.
• Implementation
  • Developing and maintaining systems which are just, equitable, open and effective.
  • Creating a municipal culture which incorporates integrated decision making - including full life cycle costs - and innovative practices to achieve social, economic and environmental objectives.
  • Taking responsibility to pursue sustainability through an appropriate mix of all mechanisms where City has influence: services, programs, by-laws, education and advocacy.
• Monitoring and Reporting
  • Establishing mechanisms to share interrelated information on environmental, economic and social issues.
  • Monitoring, reporting and communicating on key measures and City's capacity to meet its sustainability objectives.
  • Effective communication of results, processes and decisions with all sectors, elected officials and the public.

Sustainability Guiding Principles

Sustainability requires:

• an understanding of the interdependence of people and their consumption of the environment and all other life forms;
• building the capacity of workers, citizens and corporations;
• a commitment to a broad, long-term perspective and an openness to innovative ideas and information sharing;
• transparent and accountable governments and a commitment to civic engagement and an educated citizenry;
• intersectoral involvement throughout the processes of visioning, planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting;
• an awareness and analysis of the full life-cycle costs of actions and inaction;
• systems, resources and decision-making processes which are open, inclusive, equitable, just and integrated;
• the coordinated action of all levels of government and the continuous exchange of information, thinking and planning between and among its elected officials and staff representatives;
• understanding the impact of each decision, and weighing its capacity to move us towards long-term objectives; and
• the understanding of the interrelationship of systems and the ability to maximize their collective synergies to enhance our community and future.