Vancouver municipalities adopt new BC Energy Step Code

Vancouver municipalities adopt new BC Energy Step Code

The District of West Vancouver has joined with its North Shore neighbours in the adoption of British Columbia’s new Energy Step Code. On Monday (Feb. 5), West Vancouver’s government approved implementation of the step code, aligning itself with the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.

Sustainable Biz Canada

An untapped Alberta resource: energy efficiency

Alberta is rich in so many energy resources, but until recently we weren’t seizing one of the most abundant ones: energy efficiency. This started to change in 2017 when the new agency, Energy Efficiency Alberta (EEA), implemented its first programs. Since then, the industry association, Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance (AEEA), has significantly increased its members and companies across the province are hiring.

Pembina Institute

Alberta’s ecosystems shrinking faster than Amazon rainforest: report

Alberta’s ecosystems and the natural beauty they create are still largely intact but parts are disappearing at rates that exceed deforestation in the Amazon rain forest. “We continue to lose ecosystems,” said researcher Jahan Kariyeva. “That we can definitely see.” Kariyeva, a University of Alberta geographer, is lead author on the latest report from the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute.

CBC – Globe and Mail

Cities taking lead role on climate change, Edmonton mayor says

Cities and municipalities will lead the charge in tackling global climate change, Mayor Don Iveson said Tuesday as Edmonton unveiled its community partners ahead of an international climate conference in March.   The city will host a first-of-its-kind Cities and Climate Change Science Conference March 5-7, co-sponsored by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

CBC

BUILD UPON helps put renovation into EU energy policy

BUILD UPON project scored a major win recently when Europe committed to putting national renovation strategies at the heart of efforts to tackle climate change – a key recommendation from the project. A revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) challenges EU Member States to reveal the role that renovation plays in raising building energy efficiency.

World Green Building Council

Infographic: Top 10 states for LEED in 2017

The results are in for USGBC’s annual Top 10 States for LEED list. Together, these states have certified a total of 1,399 projects, encompassing 314.73 million gross square feet of space. This per capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2017.

US Green Building Council – USGBC News Release – BDC Network

Vancouver reaches new heights with Passive House complex

The city’s push for more energy-efficient construction continued today with Mayor Gregor Robertson marking the official opening of The Heights, the largest mixed-use complex built to Passive House standards in Canada. Passive House is an international standard for energy efficiency, which focuses on energy used to heat a home by creating an airtight structure, having high-quality windows, super-insulation and good ventilation.

Vancouver Courier

	CSO’s are looking for a seat at the table
	Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) are relative newcomers to the corporate world. Their role has emerged in the last 20 or so years as it became clear that companies were expected to address their impact and share responsibility in solving some of the world’s biggest problems.
	Business Ethics, January 30, 2018

 

How ski resorts are cruising toward renewables

Lake Tahoe’s iconic Squaw Valley ski resort, and its sister resort Alpine Meadows, plan to go 100 percent renewable — all at no added cost. The California ski resorts’ announcement comes just weeks after another major ski resort operator, Vail Resorts of Colorado, said it hired Schneider Electric unit Renewable Choice Energy to help the company source 100 percent renewable power and reach its goal of zero net emissions by 2030.

GreenBiz

Disrepair of 24 Sussex: Benjamin Shinewald, CEO, BOMA

Canada’s most famous residence is back in the news, and once again it is for all the wrong reasons. 24 Sussex Dr. is unequivocally in shambles. The official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada now appears to be completely unlivable. “I’m fairly resigned to not live in that house for the entire term,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said recently.

Globe and Mail

Denver’s new green roof mandate raises implementation policies

In November, Denver voters passed a mandate requiring new and existing buildings of 25,000 sf and larger to create a green roof or a combination of green roof and solar energy. The measure is one of the most far-reaching and stringent requirements in the country for green roofs, according to a Denver TV station news report.

BDC Network

Montreal Port Authority to ease Contrecoeur environmental impact

The Montreal Port Authority said it will be able to take sufficient steps to mitigate and make up for the environmental impact of its planned Contrecoeur expansion.  On Thursday, the Authority said the project has taken another step forward, as an environmental impact assessment was filed with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 

Montreal Gazette

	12 stats on green building in 2017
	As a final installment to our interviews with Established Green Building Council (GBC) CEOs from around the globe, we asked them to share with us a statistic or a fact that showed off just how much impact they have made in their countries in 2017
	World Green Building Council, February 7, 2018

 

Montreal-based biofuel company raises $280-million investment

A Montreal-based company that turns solid municipal waste into biofuel has raised a $280- million investment. Enerkem, which announced the investment on Tuesday, said the money will help it build new facilities as it brings its technology to market.  Enerkem has been developing its technology for 15 years.

Montreal Gazette

Innergex acquires Alterra to access U.S. renewables market

Quebec’s Innergex Reneweable Energy Inc. is refocusing on the buoyant U.S. renewable energy market after closing its $1.1-billion acquisition of Alterra Power Corp. By taking on Alterra’s 485 megawatts of power production, Innergex becomes the largest independent power producer in British Columbia and one of the largest in Canada. But it is targeting the United States for strong growth.

Globe and Mail

Green bonds may have a ‘halo effect’ on financial markets

The global green bonds market is on course to once again smash records as policy and cultural changes herald what could be a breakthrough year for low carbon finance. After breaching the $100 billion mark for the first time last year, green bond issuances are set to top $200 billion during 2018.

GreenBiz

We need 2018 to be the Year of Investor Leadership on Climate

As I reflect on last week’s 2018 Investor Summit on Climate Risk, I can’t help but think back to our first Summit 15 years ago.  Fast forward to today: the Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability has grown to include 146 investor members with $23 trillion in assets under management and investors from all around the world have made tremendous progress on climate action.

Ceres.org

Products, Technology and Design

How AI-driven energy storage will help Kilroy Realty Corp.

Stem, Inc., an energy storage optimization company, was chosen by Kilroy Realty Corporation (KRC) to deploy over 7.5 MWh of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven energy storage at eight commercial buildings in KRC’s California portfolio. The selection was facilitated by Black Bear Energy Inc., who acted as the owner’s representative for Kilroy Realty.

Energy Manager Today

Market Trends and Research

Does nature have a lasting positive effect on the mind?

Intuition tells us that views of and exposure to the outdoors are good for the human mental state. In recent years, a handful of scientific studies—most notably Heschong Mahone’s daylighting in schools research—has provided AEC teams with important data to back up design decisions around daylighting, views, biophilic design, and a stronger connection with nature.

BDC Network

Dust storms and ocean spray lift viruses into atmosphere: study

How does a virus from one side of the planet end up on the other? Giant clouds of these microbes are travelling thousands of metres above us, according to new research. A collaboration among researchers at the University of British Columbia and associates in Spain and the U.S., shows that more than 800 million viruses per square metre are being deposited into the atmosphere every day.

CBC

Can the world find solutions to the nitrogen pollution crisis?

The world is using nitrogen fertilizer less and less efficiently. A greater proportion than ever before is washing into rivers and oceans. An environmental catastrophe looms, nitrogen scientists say, and the world urgently needs to develop strategies to prevent it.

Yale 360

Renewable Energy

Hydro-Quebec signs 20-year electricity deal from Massachusetts

Quebec’s hydro utility has been awarded the biggest export contract in its history after the U.S. state of Massachusetts gave the nod of approval to the Northern Pass project. The project, run by Hydro-Quebec and U.S. partner Eversource, would bring up to 9.45 terawatt hours of electricity per year from Quebec’s hydroelectric plants to Massachusetts.

Montreal Gazette

Commercial Green Buildings

Largest timber office building in the US to anchor development

Riverfront Square, a proposed 11.8-acre mixed-use development in Newark, N.J. will include a 500,000-sf timber office building. According to Michael Green Architecture, the building’s architect, and New York-based real estate development and investment firm Lotus Equity Group, the new structure would be the largest timber office building in the country when it completes construction.

BDC Network

2018 Super Bowl held in LEED Gold stadium

U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hosted the 2018 Super Bowl on Sun., February 4. Not only did the Super Bowl draw thousands of visitors to the stadium, but more than 100 million will watch the game on TV. The green building community is especially proud that the Super Bowl was held in a LEED-certified venue for the second time.

US Green Building Council

Green building ratings

Nominations for new WorldGBC Board members now open

Are you a high-profile senior leader with experience in strategic planning, fundraising and finance? Are you passionate about changing the world and acting on climate change through buildings? Then we have an outstanding opportunity for you! WorldGBC is seeking nominations for new members of our Board of Directors, a group of highly experienced professionals who support the drive towards green building.

World Green Building Council

Government Programs and Incentives

Green building code deadline could hurt Paris climate targets

The Trudeau government plans to have a new green national building code ready for 2022-23, but it won’t ask provinces to actually implement some variation of this code until 2030 — the deadline for Canada’s Paris agreement climate targets. “Fifteen to 20 per cent (of emissions are) coming from the buildings, well so — it sounds to me like we need to be stepping up the measures to reduce those,” said NDP MP Linda Duncan.

ipolititcs.ca

Corporate Sustainability

IKEA makes first US Forest Investment

As part of its proven strategy to invest in the sustainable production of resources that the company consumes both directly and indirectly, IKEA purchased about 25,000 acres of forest property in Alabama – its first US forest property. Forest management will be handled by Campbell Global.

Environmental Leader

Sustainability is the future of management

In a world dominated by media images and symbolism, the difficult work of sustainably managing our organizations can take a back seat to the easier job of looking like we are accomplishing something. The operational reality of organizational behavior requires that we really understand the tasks being performed. Who does what, when and why?

GreenBiz

Water Management

EA considered for huge Manitoba flood protection project

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has launched a consultation process that will determine whether a federal environmental assessment (EA) is required for the proposed Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project, located in the Interlake region of Manitoba. The agency is asking for comments from the public on potential environmental consequences of the project.

Construct Connect

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