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Canada launches call for industrial net-zero projects

2 years ago

The Government of Canada is calling for ideas and proposals for its Strategic Innovation Fund’s Net Zero Accelerator (NZA) initiative to cut pollution in the industrial sector.

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What happens after the useful life of a building expires and faces demolition? Recycling construction materials from old buildings are creating new opportunities for sustainable construction developers to embrace a “circular building economy” — a term that is gaining momentum.

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In 2006, the ‘Toronto Green Standard‘ (TGS) — a list of measures to be taken in building and site design — was initially introduced as a voluntary standard for new development and evolved into today, as changes to the Code continue.

Participation in Building Benchmark B.C., a voluntary energy usage benchmarking and disclosure program for large buildings, doubled in 2021 and extended its reach to include more jurisdictions.

Sustainable Biz Canada

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The Canadian economy’s “green shift” will create a demand for new engineers with new areas of expertise, according to a Green Collar Job report, as RBC economists say that as many as 3.1 million Canadian jobs will be affected.

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An estimated 20 per cent of buildings will likely face fines in 2024 due to Local Law 97. Now developer Douglas Durst, whose family has supported past NYC green measures, is crying foul on mandatory carbon reductions for bigger buildings.

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Lenders and regulators are not doing enough to push the real estate sector to decarbonize, according to an Urban Land Institute and PwC report released this week. The report suggests that limited access to funds is hampering retrofitting efforts.

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Shopify Inc. and RBC have signed an agreement with Bullfrog Power Inc. and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy Inc. to buy 90,000 kWh of electricity annually from the Rattlesnake Ridge Wind Power Project, located near Medicine Hat.

Anchor Corp

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This winter, ski resorts in Alberta got the cold shoulder as extremely cold weather conditions forced many operators to shut down operations for the first time during peak seasons. Concerns about climate change persist as stakeholders measure its impact.

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The cost of treating sewage in one Victoria-area town is raising alarm signals about the impact of biosolids plants in communities that could deal with future project costs. Smells and inconsistent byproducts that result also lift red flags.

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Manitoba needs more people in EVs, and significantly reduce GHG emissions if the province wants to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, an environmental firm says. Bioenergy through carbon capture and storage, and direct air capture were among the recommendations discussed.

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EVs tend to cost less to insure than some much cheaper base models. This, according to a report which debunks the myth that electric vehicles are harder to insure than their natural-gas counterparts. Several factors, including claim rates, are factoring into the cost.

Yardi Energy

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Remember the Volkswagen Microbus? It’s back, but this time as an EV. The automaker unveiled its 2024 ID. Buzz — an electric van heavily inspired by the past — will launch in Europe later this year and in 2024 in the U.S.

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Canada has announced it’s investing $2-million to install up to 40 EV chargers across Saskatchewan. Facilitated through the Saskatchewan Power Corporation, the investment will see chargers installed at public places, multi-unit residential buildings, on streets, at workplaces or at facilities.

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TurnOnGreen has resumed work on installing Level-3 chargers at three Tim Hortons’ quick-service restaurants in Canada. Delayed due to the pandemic, some significant development is underway to expand the technology to several more of its stores.

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Honda has announced plans to install a stationary fuel cell power station at its corporate campus in Torrance, Calif. by early 2023. Utilizing components from Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles, the fuel cell power stations will provide zero-emission backup power.

WiredScore

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AXA SA’s investment management arm will stop investing in companies contributing to deforestation or biodiversity loss. The new policy, which came into effect on March 16, targets firms involved in cattle, soy, and timber extraction industries.

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The environmental movement has historically silenced black voices. According to a report from a group of BIPOC organizations, the business community is stepping up with new funds and task forces designed to support those hit the hardest by environmental issues.

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The State of Louisiana is embracing clean energy technology that will help maintain its position as one of the nation’s top energy producers. It recently announced a $4.5 billion energy complex that will produce blue hydrogen for global distribution.

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An increased urgency for energy efficiency and sustainability is likely because sky-high energy prices are both a “kitchen-table” and a boardroom issue for the commercial real estate sector. This, according to a report that suggests energy prices will force innovation.

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