UBC, NRC Launch Canadian Database to Track Product Sustainability

Researchers at UBC Okanagan (UBCO), in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), have launched a national database designed to help Canadian industries measure and manage sustainability more effectively.

A Trusted Source of Canada-Specific Data

Led by Dr. Nathan Pelletier, Associate Professor in UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, the project provides reliable, Canada-specific data for companies, industry groups, and researchers.

“Making informed sustainability decisions is inherently complex,” says Dr. Pelletier. “Environmental, economic, and social factors are all intertwined through global supply chains. Until now, Canadian stakeholders have relied on proxy data from Europe or the U.S. This database fills a crucial gap.”

Building on Previous Research and National Programs

The database builds on Pelletier’s work with the Canadian Agri-food Life Cycle Data Centre and is supported by the NRC’s Sustainable Protein Production program. Initially, it includes detailed data for Canada’s agri-food sector, starting with plant-based protein crops like pulses, with plans to expand to other industries in the coming years.

A Collaborative Platform

The platform allows users to access existing data and contribute their own, creating a continuously growing resource for businesses and researchers.

“This collaboration demonstrates the power of combining academic research with national resources,” says Paul Wiebe, Director of the NRC’s Sustainable Protein Production program. “Transparent, Canadian-specific data helps producers highlight sustainability benefits such as low carbon and water footprints, which are critical in global trade.”

Agri-Food Data Now Publicly Available

The agri-food component of the public database is now live, featuring initial data from Pelletier’s Food Systems PRISM Lab. The team is working closely with national industry groups, including Pulse Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada, and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, to expand the database and encourage its use across the sector.

Supporting Global Best Practices

“Our goal is to support businesses and researchers while helping Canada adhere to international sustainability standards,” says Pelletier. “Using lifecycle data to measure sustainability is the global gold standard, and this resource gives Canada the tools to participate fully in that conversation.”

A Major Step for Canadian Industry

This initiative represents a significant advancement for Canadian industry, providing a foundation for innovation, transparency, and competitiveness in sustainability practices nationwide.