When it comes to environmental performance only two countries (USA & Australia) ranked worse than Canada in a 2013 study by the Conference Board of Canada*.

The study looked at 17 developed countries and while we performed better in the some areas (water quality, forest management & threatened species), for the most part Canada’s grade was below average receiving an overall mark of “D” .

A couple of recommendations the Conference Board of Canada is suggesting includes: Canada’s success in improving its environmental performance has been mixed. It has improved air quality, reduced its energy intensity, and increased the growth of forest resources relative to forest harvest. But Canada must do more to lower greenhouse gas emissions, to use its freshwater resources more wisely, and to reduce waste; to improve its overall performance, Canada must promote economic growth without further degrading the environment, partly by encouraging more sustainable consumption.