Toronto Action Plan on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency – G7 2025 – Kananaskis

Report on the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

On October 30-31, 2025, the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers convened in Toronto, Ontario, co-hosted by The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The meeting focused on advancing shared commitments to energy security, environmental protection, and climate action, with outcomes directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean water, clean energy, responsible consumption, and climate action.

2.0 Key Outcomes and Strategic Initiatives for SDG Advancement

Discussions and commitments from the meeting produced several key initiatives designed to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Water Security and Ecosystem Protection (SDG 6, SDG 14)
   • The G7 Water Coalition Workplan was established to enhance global cooperation on water security and protect freshwater and ocean ecosystems. This initiative is a direct contribution to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
2. Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (SDG 12, SDG 8)
   • The Toronto Action Plan on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency was launched. This three-year roadmap promotes sustainable resource management, directly addressing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
   • The plan targets key sectors including critical minerals, textiles, and plastics, fostering sustainable economic models that support SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
3. Climate Resilience and Adaptation (SDG 13, SDG 11)
   • A Chair’s Statement on Extreme Weather Prediction, Preparedness, and Response was released, building on the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter.
   • This initiative strengthens global collaboration on climate readiness through the use of artificial intelligence, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based solutions, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

3.0 Financial Commitments and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 7, SDG 13, SDG 17)

Canada announced new investments to support global and domestic clean energy transitions, underscoring a commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by mobilizing finance and fostering collaboration.

• A roundtable was held to mobilize private finance for climate action, focusing on accelerating clean energy investment in developing economies to link climate progress with economic opportunity.
• Specific funding announcements included:
  • $1.25 million for the Climate Finance Access Network.
  • $2 million for the Creating a Just Transition initiative.
  • Over $6.8 million through the Northern REACHE program to support renewable energy projects in Nunavik, Quebec. This investment directly advances SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by replacing millions of litres of diesel and is projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by over 250,000 tonnes, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

4.0 Conclusion

The G7 Ministers’ Meeting reinforced the principle that action on climate and the environment is a primary driver of economic competitiveness and prosperity, in line with SDG 8. The outcomes demonstrate a collective G7 commitment to safeguarding natural resources while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future. These results will guide Canada’s leadership at subsequent international forums, including MoCA9, COP30, and UNEA-7, to continue advancing clean growth, climate resilience, and nature conservation in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several issues that directly connect to a range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on environmental protection, climate action, and clean energy links to multiple goals aimed at planetary health, sustainable economic growth, and global cooperation.

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article explicitly mentions the G7 ministers’ focus on “protecting freshwater” and the establishment of the “G7 Water Coalition Workplan to enhance global cooperation on water security.”
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The text highlights Canada’s commitment to “accelerating the transition to clean energy” and announces investments of “over $6.8 million through the Northern REACHE program to support renewable energy projects” intended to replace diesel fuel.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article links environmental action to economic benefits, stating it can be a “key driver of economic competitiveness and prosperity.” It also mentions building a “resilient economy–one that creates good jobs” and an investment in the “Creating a Just Transition initiative.”
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The discussion on strengthening preparedness for extreme weather includes exploring the use of “resilient infrastructure” and highlights Canada’s commitment to “climate innovation.”
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • A key outcome of the meeting was the “Toronto Action Plan on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency,” a roadmap for “promoting sustainable resource use in sectors such as critical minerals, textiles, and plastics.”
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • This is a central theme, with discussions on “climate action,” “strengthening preparedness for extreme weather,” reducing CO₂ emissions, and mobilizing “private finance for climate action.”
7. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article notes that discussions focused on “protecting… ocean ecosystems” as a shared goal among the G7 ministers.
8. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The entire G7 meeting is an example of global partnership. The article also mentions efforts to “enhance global cooperation on water security,” strengthen “global collaboration” on extreme weather, and mobilize finance to support “developing economies.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the initiatives and commitments mentioned, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
   • The “G7 Water Coalition Workplan to enhance global cooperation on water security” directly supports this target by fostering international collaboration on managing water resources.
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The investment in “renewable energy projects in Nunavik, Quebec” that will “replace millions of litres of diesel” is a direct action towards increasing the share of renewables.
3. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The “Toronto Action Plan on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency” is a clear strategy aimed at achieving this target by “promoting sustainable resource use.”
4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The focus on “strengthening preparedness for extreme weather” and the exploration of “resilient infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to improve climate readiness” align with this target.
5. Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible.
   • The roundtable on “mobilizing private finance for climate action” and the investment in the “Climate Finance Access Network” to “accelerate clean energy investment in developing economies” contribute to this financial mobilization target.
6. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • The G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting itself, which “gathered ministers from leading global economies to advance shared goals,” exemplifies this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to track progress:

1. Financial Flows: The article specifies financial commitments that serve as direct indicators for investment in climate and energy goals.
   • $1.25 million for the Climate Finance Access Network (relates to SDG 13, SDG 17).
   • $2 million for the Creating a Just Transition initiative (relates to SDG 8).
   • Over $6.8 million through the Northern REACHE program for renewable energy (relates to SDG 7).
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: A specific, measurable outcome is provided for the renewable energy projects.
   • The projects are expected to “cut over 250,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions,” which is a direct indicator for SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Fossil Fuel Displacement: The article provides a metric for the transition away from fossil fuels.
   • The renewable energy projects will “replace millions of litres of diesel,” an indicator of progress towards SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
4. Policy and Strategy Implementation: The creation of plans and workgroups serves as a qualitative indicator of commitment and action.
   • The establishment of the “G7 Water Coalition Workplan” (Indicator for SDG 6).
   • The launch of the “Toronto Action Plan on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency” (Indicator for SDG 12).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: solarquarter.com