The Region of Peel has been designated as one of the United Nation’s Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE), a global network that promotes sustainable development.
There are 175 RCEs worldwide, and just six of them are in Canada. Peel is among four regions added to the RCE, by a committee of peers at a recent virtual meeting. The other newly approved regions are Greater Phoenix (Arizona), Netherlands and Malaysia.
There are five priority areas of action for RCEs:
- Advance policy by mainstreaming education for sustainable development;
- Transform learning and training environments;
- Build capacities of educators and trainers;
- Empower and mobilize youth; and
- Advance sustainable solutions at the local level
RCE Peel will focus on improving goods movement and sustainable transportation. RCE Peel’s vision is to form a collaborative entity that will help create a healthy and sustainable community for life for Peel residents and businesses. RCE Peel will work with partners to inform and implement strategies, opportunities, programs and educational endeavours to support the sustainable movement of people and goods in order to increase the climate change resiliency and allow for economic prosperity and a high quality of life.
The Region of Peel received letters of support from four Universities (York, McMaster, Ryerson and University of Toronto), Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, Pembina Institute, Loblaws Group of Companies, Ecosource, Supply Chain Canada and others. The cities of Mississauga, Brampton and the Town of Caledon have also supported this initiative through their participation as members of the Peel Goods Movement Task Force.
Link to full Region of Peel announcement, February 16, 2021.
