Recent Articles
Slate appoints Jankowska global head of ESG
Slate appoints Jankowska global head of ESG
Toronto-based Slate Asset Management has appointed British sustainable investment specialist Bozena Jankowska as managing director and global head of environmental, social and governance at the company’s London, UK office. Hiring Jankowska was the next step in Slate’s ongoing ESG development.
ESG becoming focus in real estate industry globally
The acceleration in ESG adoption and sustainability has manifested in the rise of net zero carbon commitments, with signatories to the UNFCC’s Race to Zero campaign doubling in 2021. Over 5,000 companies, 1,000 cities and 441 investors have pledged to achieve net zero by 2050.
Governor General urges moving climate talk to action
Governor General Mary May Simon issued a “stark warning about the decades ahead” in a Speech from the Throne, which led off with language about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the urgency of the climate crisis.
Bruce Power issues $500M in green bonds
OPINION: Bruce Power, which runs Ontario’s biggest nuclear power plant, issued $500-million in green bonds to finance the life extension of its units and increase output. It is the first use of the environmentally-focused securities to fund nuclear power.
Circular economy to grow rapidly in next 5 years
By the end of the decade, the world economy is expected to achieve 10.5 per cent circularity. The circular economy is a vision in which waste is eliminated, resources are reused and nature is regenerated, reducing GHG emissions, waste and pollution.
Canada considers tougher GHG rules for shipping
Canada is considering an international proposal that would double the ambition of its greenhouse gas emissions targets from shipping. A committee of the International Maritime Organization is debating a resolution for a net-zero target for all international shipping by 2050.
Ballard, Caterpillar, Microsoft join for hydrogen project
B.C.-based Ballard Power Systems has announced the launch of a three-year project with two American partners — Caterpillar and Microsoft — to demonstrate a power system incorporating large-format hydrogen fuel cells to produce backup power for data centres.
Quebec on the verge of missing the boat
Green hydrogen could become a gold mine for Quebec, but unless you invest quickly, it will be overtaken by countries that have already started to develop this sector, such as Germany and Australia. There is an urgent need to act.
How to heat cold countries hooked on natural gas
In cold countries, opportunities for space heating electrification are critical. Heating and cooling buildings accounts for 12.4 per cent of Canada’s carbon releases, but in big cities, like Toronto, natural gas used to heat buildings accounts for half of all emissions.
80% net-carbon emissions reduction achievable now
We often hear that massive carbon emissions reduction is either technically impossible or financially unfeasible. However, through a feasibility-level analysis of eight commercial and industrial buildings, I arrived at a conclusion that surprised even me.
Efficiency Manitoba misses energy targets in 1st year
• CBC
The Manitoba Crown corporation devoted to conserving energy has fallen short in its inaugural year of operation. Efficiency Manitoba is expected to reduce electricity consumption by 1.5 per cent and natural gas consumption by 0.75 per cent annually — and missed both targets.
Efficiency Canada irked by lack of federal accountability
• Daily Commercial News • Remi Network
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made many promises at COP26 regarding Canada’s commitment to reduce global warming. Some were repeats, such as his promise to plant two billion trees. He also pledged to move Canada towards a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.
BlackNorth Initiative releases racial equity playbook
• Financial Post • Globe and Mail
The BlackNorth Initiative is releasing a diversity “playbook” to help propel corporate Canada along a path to more diversity, equity and inclusion, with specific measures to address different processes from hiring to procurement. Canadian companies quickly committed to increase diversity.
How the Great Resignation affects sustainability staff
• GreenBiz
A data reporter for Recode tweeted that Google searches for “how to send a resignation email” jumped 3,450 per cent over the past three months. Many employers in sustainability and ESG are now wondering what they can do to retain talent.
Most sustainable businesses will have female leaders
A panel discussion on women in leadership unearthed several critical traits for the type of leadership we need in a healthy, sustainable, equitable future. Women delved into the evolving nature of sustainable leadership — a more empathetic style of leadership.
Costco faces shareholder proposal on food equity
The American Baptist Home Mission Society claims Costco Wholesale Corporation publishes sustainability goals for its food products, addressing social and environmental impacts, but there are no targets for increasing access to healthy food in the communities where it operates.
Lax recycling rules part of Ontario’s waste management problem
Regulating and reducing the more than seven million tonnes of garbage produced by Ontario’s Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector is the “huge missing piece” in provincial efforts to reduce garbage and prolong the life of its landfills.
Canada to keep COVID-19 vaccine waste below 5%
The Public Health Agency of Canada hopes to keep the number of wasted doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada under five per cent. That would amount to 3.7 million of the 73.7 million vaccines that have been distributed to provinces and territories.
Statistics show all floors should include radon measurements
Research measurement data of over 15,000 Swedish workplaces indicates there can be high levels of radon, regardless of floor level or where you measure. The findings confirm the importance of measuring sufficiently and not settling for a small number of measuring points.
SNC-Lavalin to provide flood mitigation support for FEMA
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.‘s STARR II Joint Venture has been awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract, valued at up to $300 million USD to perform engineering and technical services for the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program.
Industry Events
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Sustainable Finance Forum 2024
Nov 28 2024
to Nov 29 2024
Shaw Centre, Ottawa -
Zero Carbon Building Standards Interactive Workshop
Dec 10 2024
to Dec 12 2025
Online -
FCM’s Sustainable Communities Conference 2025
Feb 10 2025
to Feb 13 2025
Fredericton, NB -
GlobeXchange
Feb 11 2025
to Feb 14 2025
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel -
BuildGreen Atlantic 2025
Apr 28 2025
to Apr 29 2025
Halifax, NS -
Building Lasting Change
Jun 18 2025
to Jun 20 2025
Vancouver, BC