Thriving in balance with nature.
Globally we consume energy and materials — and produce waste — as if we had 1.75 planets. We are running a deficit. Let’s get our ecological footprint back in balance.
Join us to support low-impact ways of living that are good for people and the planet.
Lifestyles and behaviour changes can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – 2022
Our Work
Creating scalable solutions for low-impact everyday living – explore our work.
IKEA Healthy and Sustainable Living
Joining forces with IKEA to further healthy and sustainable living solutions in affordable and accessible ways to make sustainable living the norm globally.
Live Net Zero
Engaging millions of Canadians in sustainable living through nationwide Household & Classroom Challenges, co-led with Canadian Geographic, showcasing real-life champions and inspiring enduring change.
C40 Cities on Better Urban Systems
Equipping the network’s 96+ cities with guidance and tools to reduce emissions from urban consumption while addressing widening inequalities and improving city services and wellbeing.
Motivations for Sustainability Action
Market insights research guiding the design of services, products, policies and infrastructure that align with how and why people take actions aligned with sustainable living.
Sustainable Living Québec
Partnering with RECYC-QUÉBEC to support cities, businesses and communities across Quebec in understanding residents’ motivations and helping them adopt sustainable behaviors.
One Planet BC
Supporting communities across British Columbia — including Saanich — to apply internationally recognized One Planet Living principles to drive sustainable living action across schools, businesses, and organizations.
Big Life Changes
Major life transitions, like moving, changing jobs, or starting a family, are untapped opportunities to support sustainable ways of living. During these rare moments, we can disrupt locked-in behaviors and systems.
About Us
Get to know the team behind OneEarth Living.
We’re a nonprofit ‘think-and-do tank’ advancing sustainable everyday living around the world. We help people and organizations reimagine how we live—so it’s better for the planet and for each other. By focusing on systems change, we work to shift the structures, habits, and stories that shape our daily lives. We envision a world where everyone can thrive within the ecological means of our one Earth. We collaborate warmly with partners to create real-world impact using bold ideas, practical tools, and collective creativity.
Our team brings decades of experience in sustainability research, policy, and practice globally. Sisters Vanessa and Dagmar Timmer are two of the five co-founders of OneEarth Living, alongside ecological footprint inventor Dr. William Rees. They lead the organization, bringing a lifelong passion for planetary solutions and a talent for turning big ideas into action.
Dr. Vanessa Timmer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | Co-Founder
Leads visionary partnerships with Hot or Cool, IKEA, C40 Cities, and others to scale sustainable living with systemic, real-world impact.
Dagmar Timmer
MANAGING DIRECTOR – STRATEGIC INITIATIVES | Co-Founder
Brings projects and research insights to life — guiding changemakers to reimagine and enable sustainable living.
Our Partners
Let’s collaborate! We work with partners making a difference across the planet.
