Recent Articles
Empire, Second Harvest partner to reduce food waste
Empire, Second Harvest partner to reduce food waste
Canada’s largest food rescue organization is partnering with Empire Company Ltd. to incorporate the Second Harvest Food Rescue App across its grocery chains. The app is designed to allow non-profit and community groups easier access to previously wasted food.
Sobeys expanding vertical farming across Canada
Grocery store chain Sobeys is expanding its unique Infarm vertical farming units to more stores across the country as it takes advantage of the growing consumer appetite for local-made products.
UBC to build $23M solar farm and hydrogen fuel station
Construction has commenced on a city block-sized green energy hub at the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey campus. Solar panels will be installed on overhead canopy structures at the Thunderbird Parkade, doubling as shade structures for vehicle parking below.
Winnipeg development delves into geothermal energy
The landscape of The Forks is set to change dramatically in the coming years, as parking lots between the CityTV building and Shaw Park are converted from pavement slabs into an expansive, mixed-use neighbourhood.
Uncovering deadly toll of air pollution from buildings
• Rocky Mountain Institute • RMI map showing health impact of pollution by state
Burning gas, wood, and biomass in buildings has more negative health effects than burning coal in many U.S. states says a new peer-reviewed study from the Harvard School of Public Health.
JLL commits to net-zero target for 2040
JLL (JLL-N) announced its aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 across all areas of its operations. To deliver this commitment, 95% of JLL’s 2018 baseline greenhouse gas emissions will be fully abated and any residual offsets required will be limited.
Real estate has its first green building ETF
• JLL Blog
Global investment manager Invesco has launched a green exchange traded fund (ETF) at a time of increasing appetite for sustainable investments, with 77 percent of institutional investors planning to stop investing in non-ESG (Environment Social Governance) products by 2022, according to PwC.
ASHRAE and ICC release green construction manual
ASHRAE and the International Code Council (ICC) have released the 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) User’s Manual. “ASHRAE remains committed to providing sustainability strategies to improve indoor air quality and building performance,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E.
Environmental concerns spur Highway 413 assessment
• Globe and Mail • Toronto Star • Toronto Star
Ottawa is stepping into the approval process of a proposed Ontario highway that would link four Toronto-area municipalities, claiming environmental concerns require a closer look. Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is considering a federal impact assessment of the $6-billion project.
Victoria’s building boom leads to damaging dirt dumping
Victoria’s building boom is causing concern regarding where to put the dirt being excavated for new commercial buildings, residential projects, and underground parking garages. Much of the uncontaminated soil gets dumped on private properties, sometimes causing the landscape to alter.
Canadians need education on ESG investing
Canadians’ knowledge of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is mixed, finds a new survey from BMO Global Asset Management. The survey found that those aged 18 to 34 were most knowledgeable about ESG and were more likely to hold ESG investments.
A hydrogen society: An interview with Panasonic, Part 2
For more than 100 years, Panasonic has focused on a philosophy to contribute to society. Environmental issues, and particularly decarbonisation, are among the most important issues globally today, which is why decarbonisation forms the basis of the Japanese company’s “Environmental Vision 2050”.
Rethinking microgrid technology
Microgrid buyers should consider resilience and cost savings and shouldn’t rule out diesel. According to Ryan Goodman, CEO and co-founder of Scale Microgrid Solutions, “Microgrids are … complicated to develop. It would … be easier to [use] solar or … a backup generator.”
The benefits of propane generators for hybrid microgrids
A new white paper from the Propane Education and Research Council presents case studies illustrating the benefits of using propane generators in hybrid microgrids. Today’s microgrids typically consist of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, battery storage, and a backup generator.
Canada helps US establish Net-Zero Producers Forum
The Minister of Natural Resources announced Canada will join the U.S. in establishing a Net-Zero Producers Forum to discuss how the sector can support the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Alberta alters oilsands’ environmental liability payments
Alberta will unveil changes to its Mine Financial Security Program (MFSP) for oilsands companies to adjust for last year’s oil price crash. The province also plans to review the MFSP to address issues raised by the province’s auditor general.
Canadian oil companies tout self-imposed penalties
Canadian oil sector companies want to pay more interest on their debts in exchange for more environmental, social, and governance credit from investors. In a first for the North American energy industry, Gibson Energy Inc. announced a sustainability-linked credit facility.
ATCO reports 90% reduction in GHG emissions
ATCO published its Sustainability Report, highlighting noteworthy developments from the past year, including a 90 per cent reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020, ATCO also commissioned Canada’s largest off-grid solar project and continued to grow the company’s hydrogen expertise.
Calgary firm JOG shifts to carbon-capture opportunities
JOG Capital, a Calgary company, made its mark investing in junior and mid-size producers. Now, the private equity firm’s transformation into a carbon-capture and storage (CCS) speaks volumes about how the city is starting to adapt to a massive transition.
Whitecap touts carbon capture opportunities
• CBC
Whitecap Resources Inc. is working to expand its ability to capture, store and use carbon dioxide to enhance oil recovery in spite of Ottawa’s decision to exclude such projects from proposed investment tax credits in its recent budget.
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