There are many organizations in Waterloo Region whose work touches some way on climate action. They represent a wide variety of interests. They are listed in the menu as:
- Broad Based – groups whose mandate covers a broad range of issues
- Built Environment – groups that are interested in building livable communities.
- Food and Health – groups that focus on the health or food security aspects of climate change
- Natural Environment – groups that focus on preserving the environment, or nature based activities
- University and Youth – groups that are based at a University or College, or are specifically Youth-led
- Municipal – groups that are managed or funded by a Municipality or the Region of Waterloo
- Policy – groups that focus on efforts to change policy at any/all levels
- National and Provincial – groups that are National or Provincial in scope, with no local chapter
| 50 by 2030 Waterloo Region A Local campaign for 50% reduction in GHG’s by 2030 in line with climate science and climate justice | 50 by 30 Waterloo Region |
| Council of Canadians-Waterloo Region People, Planet, Democracy | https://canadians.org/ |
| Faith Climate Justice Waterloo Region Engaging Faith communities in Waterloo Region on opportunities for Climate Justice | https://www.faithclimatejustice.ca/ |
| GREN Grand River Environmental Network A proactive voice for the environment in Grand River Watershed | https://www.gren.ca/ |
| Living into Right Relations WR United Church members connecting around a shared desire to live into right relations with First Nations Peoples | https://firstunitedchurchottawa.org/justice-ministries/living-into-right-relations |
| Nith Valley EcoBoosters Committed to supporting and achieving a long term healthy environment in Wellesley and Wilmot Townships, through education, action and collaboration | https://nvecoboosters.com/ |
| Sustainable Waterloo Region A not for profit social enterprise leading businesses and the region in the transformation to sustainable systems of energy, mobility, and construction. | Sustainable Waterloo Region |
| 350.org Works across the globe to end fossil fuels and power up just and accessible renewables. | https://350.org/?r=CA&c=NA |
| Architecture Conservancy of Ontario Encouraging the conservation and reuse of structures through education and advocacy | ACO North Waterloo |
| GreenWR Promoting Green Development Standards to mitigate climate change through energy efficient housing, protect ground water, and build sustainable communities | www.greenwr.org |
| Pivot Green Pivot Green connects and celebrates people, businesses, and communities with stories and ideas to inspire restorative climate action. | www.pivotgreen.ca/ |
| Reep Green Solutions Empowering the community with practical tools, knowledge and capacity for action to make sustainable living the norm | reepgreen.ca/ |
| Tri-Cities Transport Action Group The Tri-Cities Transport Action Group (TriTAG) was founded in 2009 to advocate for improved walking, biking, and transit in Waterloo Region. We’re a small group focused on pushing our governments to make practical policy, infrastructure, and operations changes to make it easier for people to have meaningful choice in getting around with less reliance on cars. | Tri-Cities Transport Action Group |
| WR Electric Vehicle Association Helping WR residents transition to electric transportation through education and advocacy | https://evsociety.ca/wreva/ |
| CAPE Canadian Assoc of Physicians for the Environment We are a group of physicians and researchers who are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people and the planet, planting seeds to empower our future. We were established as a working group with the Ontario chapter of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE-On). | https://cape.ca/ |
| Cycle WR We envision a Waterloo Region where people of all ages and abilities feel safe to commute to work, ride to school, run errands, and enjoy their neighborhoods on their bicycles | https://cyclewr.ca/ |
| Food Systems RoundtableWR Advocating for a sustainable food system in Waterloo Region | https://foodsystemroundtablewr.ca/ |
| Plant Based Treaty Putting our food systems at the forefront of combating the climate crisis | Plant Based Treaty |
| VegFest Raising awareness about plant based diets and the connection between climate breakdown and the farming of animals | VegFest |
| Waterloo Region Climate Initiatives WRCI exists to raise awareness that a plant-based diet is most impactful in fighting climate change | https://www.facebook.com/waterlooregionclimateinitiatives/ |
| Waterloo Region Health Coalition Our primary goal is to protect and improve our public health care system, honouring and strengthening the principles of the Canada Health Act. We are led by our shared commitment to core values of equality, democracy, social inclusion and social justice. | Waterloo Health Coalition |
| WR Community Garden Network Our mission is to promote and sustain Community Gardens in the Waterloo Region | WR Community Gardens |
| Youth in Food Systems Engaging Youth in Food Exploration | Youth in Food Systems |
| Enviro Stewards A Certified B Corporation that empowers businesses to achieve sustainable solutions, maximizing resource efficiency while delivering both ecological and economic benefits. | Enviro-Stewards |
| McDiarmid Climate Consulting McDiarmid Climate Consulting, led by Dr. Heather McDiarmid specializes in analysis, primary research, knowledge dissemination, and education related to emissions reduction solutions with a particular emphasis on the residential sector. | McDiarmid Climate Consulting |
| City of Kitchener – Environment Promoting sustainability through energy management, natural heritage protection, and water system conservation, with resources on environmental impact and pollution reporting. | https://www.kitchener.ca/en/water-and-environment/environment.aspx |
| City of Waterloo – Sustainability and Climate Change Tackling climate change challenges by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through various initiatives, with the goal of achieving net-zero corporate emissions by 2050. | https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/sustainability-and-climate-change.aspx |
| City of Cambridge – Environment and Sustainability Working on initiatives such as the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan, community-driven climate strategies, and environmental stewardship projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions and fostering collaboration for a sustainable future. | https://www.cambridge.ca/en/learn-about/environment-and-sustainability.aspx |
| Township of Woolwich – Climate Action Reducing emissions, enhancing sustainability, and engaging the community in climate action efforts. | https://www.woolwich.ca/learn-about/climate-action/ |
| Wilmot Township – Green and Clean Community Focused on protecting the natural environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2027 through a range of sustainability initiatives, including the establishment of a Sustainability Working Group. | https://www.wilmot.ca/en/living-here/Green-and-Clean-Community.aspx |
| Climate Action Waterloo Region A collaboration between local organizations, municipalities, and community members to achieve 50% GHG reduction by 2030 and 80% by 2050 for a low-carbon, resilient future. | https://climateactionwr.ca/ |
| WR Community Energy A regional collaboration advancing energy efficiency, generation, and literacy to support Waterloo Region’s transition to a sustainable, competitive future. | https://wrcommunityenergy.ca/ |
| Woolwich Healthy Communities A volunteer group dedicated to promoting health and well-being in the Township of Woolwich through environmental restoration, tree planting, trail use, cycling, and community initiatives. | https://healthywoolwich.org/ |
| Citizens for Safe Ground Water A non-profit organization in Wilmot Township dedicated to protecting the Waterloo Moraine’s groundwater from industrial aggregate activity while advocating for sustainable development that prioritizes water safety, environmental preservation, and community well-being. | https://www.safeh2o.ca/ |
| Alliance for a Liveable Ontario Uniting groups to oppose harmful policies and promote sustainable, affordable, and climate-resilient communities with democratic governance. | Alliance for a Liveable Ontario |
| Climate Reality Catalyzing global action on climate change by focusing on GHG emissions, education, and grassroots efforts to drive urgent solutions to climate crisis. | Climate Reality Canada |
| Cooperate for Canada Promoting electoral cooperation among the progressive political Parties to protect Canada’s future. Partisan interests must be put aside to address the crises we face – climate breakdown, economic disparity, housing and food insecurity, threats to our democracy and rights. Cooperation is the emergency-level response required by this emergency-level situation. | Cooperate for Canada |
| David Suzuki Foundation Protecting nature and promoting sustainability through evidence-based research, education, and policy analysis. Empowering Canadians to take action for a healthier, more sustainable future. | https://davidsuzuki.org/ |
| Environmental Defence A Canadian advocacy organization dedicated to clean water, a safe climate, and healthy communities through collaboration, education, and evidence-based solutions. | https://environmentaldefence.ca/ |
| Fair Vote Canada A national campaign advocating for proportional representation and democratic reforms to ensure equality, accountability, and diversity in Canada’s political system. | https://www.fairvote.ca/ |
| Future Ground Network Dedicated to supporting and connecting grassroots initiatives, empowering local communities to drive impactful social and ecological change. | https://futuregroundnetwork.org/ |
| Leadnow Empowers people to challenge corporate and political power, uses digital tools and organizing techniques to drive strategic actions for justice, dignity, and a healthy environment. | https://leadnow.ca/ |
| National Farmers Union – Ontario Empowers farmers to advocate for sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and social and economic justice, fostering resilient communities and a vibrant agricultural future. | https://nfuontario.ca/about/ |
| Seniors for Climate Action Now – SCAN Mobilize seniors for climate action, challenge fossil fuel industries, advocate for systemic reform, and foster hope through education, outreach, and action-oriented committees, with a focus on social justice, Indigenous solidarity, and sustainable change. | https://seniorsforclimateactionnow.org/ |
| Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health Helps Canadians engage with their pension funds to promote climate-conscious investments and a zero-carbon future. | https://www.shiftaction.ca/mission |
| Yours to Protect An initiative of organizations supporting clean water, farmland, biodiversity, and healthy communities. | https://yourstoprotect.ca/attacks/ |
| Clean Air Alliance Working to move Ontario to a 100% renewable energy future | https://www.cleanairalliance.org |
| Greenbelt Guardians Defending the land, Protecting the future | Greenbelt Guardians |
| Hold the Line Holding the Countryside Line and shifting the needle to sustainable development | Hold the Line Waterloo Region |
| Land Back Camp A community fostering cultural connection, learning, and celebration within Indigenous traditions, while advocating for sovereignty, cultural preservation, and meaningful relationships. | https://www.landbackcamp.com/ |
| Let’s Tree Wilmot A volunteer-run non-profit enhancing Wilmot Township’s tree canopy and forest ecosystems through planting, education, and community partnerships. | https://letstreewilmot.ca/ |
| Probus Club Offering retirees and semi-retirees opportunities for fellowship, friendship, and fun through engaging activities, guest speakers, and social events. | https://www.probuscanada.ca/ |
| RARE Charitable Research Reserve Community driven Urban Land Trust | RARE Charitable Research Reserve |
| Reform Gravel Coalition Protect Ontario from unnecessary gravel mining | Reform Gravel Mining |
| Two Row on the Grand / Deyohahage Gihe’ gowahneh Fostering mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through the annual canoe journey along the Grand River, blending cultural exchange, education, and friendship. | Two Row on the Grand |
| Waterloo Region Nature Affiliated with Ontario Nature, Waterloo Region Nature is a charitable naturalist club dedicated to conservation, offering activities to explore, protect, and promote the region’s wildlife and ecosystems. | https://waterlooregionnature.ca/ |
| Wellington Water Watchers Water for Life, Not Profit | Wellington Water Watchers |
| Citizens Climate Lobby Citizens’ Climate Lobby works around the globe to build the political will for effective climate policies, using the Gandhian principles of truth and love. In Canada, we lobbied for Carbon pollution fees and the Canadian Carbon Rebate. | https://citizensclimatelobby.org/ |
| Climate Interactive EnRoads EnROADS is interactive software that can be used with individuals, small or large groups, and in the classroom to explore the most effective solutions for climate change. To connect with local presenters email [email protected] | https://www.climateinteractive.org/en-roads/ |
| Divest Waterloo An effective action to combat climate change is to stop funding the destruction. Our pension funds, our banks, our universities, our companies, are all still investing in the fossil fuel industry, helping it extract more oil, gas and coal. Let’s tell them to stop! | https://divestwaterloo.ca/ |
| Conestoga College: Environmental Sustainability & Energy Performance Manager | |
| Ecohawks We are a sustainability club, and encourage eco-consciousness within the Laurier community while informing students on current environmental issues. We organize many environmentally related events, such as, Cleanups of our university campus and the areas around the university, trees plantation, collecting e-waste and disposing them off in an appropriate and safe manner, bottle drives, etc. | Ecohawks |
| Fridays for Future Students skip Friday classes to demand political action on climate change and a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. | https://www.facebook.com |
| Laurier Student Public Interest Research Group Developing advocacy tools and avenues for action. We stand for anti-oppression, community care, and activism | http://www.lspirg.org |
| UW Animal Rights Advocate for animal rights on campus and in the Waterloo community, promote cruelty-free living, and support initiatives for expanding vegan options. | https://www.facebook.com/UWanimalrights/about |
| UW Campus Compost We are a student run campus-based organization set out to improve waste management at UW and raise environmental awareness through composting | UW Campus compost |
| UW Climate Justice Ecosystem We are an independent coalition of students that aim to build and mobilize student power for an intersectional, grassroots movement towards a sustainable, resilient, and just UW for everyone. | https://linktr.ee/climatejusticeuw |
| UW Environment Students Society Empowering undergraduates with resources, opportunities, and services to cultivate a supportive and environmentally conscious community. | UW Environment Students Society |
| UW GreenHouse GreenHouse is a social impact incubator for students and community members who want to create social or environmental change. We train people to develop entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial knowledge, skills, and mindsets and help them build their professional networks. Every term, our team delivers the Social Innovators in Training program and community innovation challenges through the Changemaker Labs program. | UW Greenhouse |
| WLU Faculty Association Climate Action Committee The WLUFA Climate Action Committee has a mandate to address climate considerations internal to WLUFA operations; connect and convene faculty across the university to share ideas and collaborate on climate matters; engage upper administration and leadership around efforts to take action in response to the climate emergency, as well as to other aspects of social and environmental justice and sustainability; raise WLUFA’s voice on climate issues outside Laurier, including collaborating with other organizations in the wider community. | https://www.wlufa.ca/climate-action-committee |