The Measuring Sustainability report provides detailed descriptions and baseline data for our 32 indicators. The indicators range from those that reflect the quality of Pickering's air and water, to those that reflect our progress towards being an inclusive and welcoming community, with good employment opportunities. For most of the indicators we have also included links and information describing what you can do to help. Measurable progress on our Sustainable Pickering journey can only be made with your participation and assistance.

The Measuring Sustainability Report is a "living document”. It will be revised as new information becomes available. Please bookmark this site and check back regularly to see the results of our collective efforts.

We have decided to print only a very limited number of copies of the Measuring Sustainability report. Hard-copies of the report are available for loan through the Pickering Public Library. Should you absolutely require us to send you a print version of the report, please contact Kristy Kilbourne, (Acting) Sustainability Coordinator, at kkilbourne@cityofpickering.com or 905.420.4660 ext.2170.

How can sustainability be measured?

• Trends in citizens’ satisfaction
• Residents’ quality of life
• The impact of City policies and actions

• Overall health of Frenchman’s Bay/Duffins Creek/Altona Forest
• Air quality health index status
• Water quality status of primary surface water systems in Pickering
• Number of trees added under City’s Urban Forest Strategy program
• Tree cover in Pickering as a percentage of overall area
• Aggregate biodiversity index status (biodiversity re: land/water, flora/fauna)

Two: Healthy Economy

• Percentage of population employed locally, or in a home-based business
• Jobs to population ratio (i.e., jobs per capita)
• Percentage of employees in EN3 businesses (energy/environment/engineering)
• Inventory of local job postings
• Number of Eco-Busineses (Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade EcoBusiness, Durham Sustain Ability EcoBusiness)

Three: Healthy Society

• Average household income, percentage spent on housing costs
• Core crime statistics for Pickering and the Region
• Community health and safety index
• Community participation index status
• Community health
• Community perception of crime and safety
• Community perception of sustainability
• Number of kilometres of walking/cycling paths per capita

• Non-residential and residential floor area certified under recognized green building program (i.e., LEED, Green Globes, EnergyStar)
• Percentage of residents commuting by transit, bicycle, walking; average commuting distance per capita
• Number of units (in buildings) that provide live-work opportunity
• Number of existing neighbourhoods that have achieved more than a 50% rating under the City’s Sustainable Neighbourhood Scorecard
• Number of hectares designated or being utilized for agricultural/related production
• Percentage of new buildings that are "solar-ready”

• Per capita and total energy consumption, and per capita and total GHG emissions for corporate operations
• Per capita and total energy consumption, and per capita and total GHG emissions, for City at large
• Volume of water consumed per household
• Volume of wastewater discharged to sewers per household
• Total amount of solid waste sent to disposal: residential, non-residential
• Percentage of household budget spent on locally grown foods
• Total economic value of local agricultural products and services

To learn more about how the monitoring process is being carried out, check out our Monitoring Progress.