Menkes 25 York in T.O. sets BOMA BEST record

BIZ  Energy, Real Estate, Health  •  National, Toronto / GTA

The 25 York Street office complex in downtown Toronto, owned by Menkes Developments Ltd., has eclipsed its own BOMA BEST record. The building has been recertified at the Platinum level with a global record 99.2 per cent score.

Solar canopies on parking lots is a smart green move

Energy, Real Estate  •  Yale Environment 360

Putting solar facilities on undeveloped land is often not better than installing subdivisions. Undeveloped land is a rapidly dwindling resource, and what’s left is under pressure to deliver a host of other services we require from the natural world.

Climate-friendly air conditioners are on the way

Real Estate  •  GreenBiz

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with proposals to speed the transition from super-pollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in refrigeration, air conditioners, heat pumps, insulation and aerosols where climate-friendlier alternatives are available. The action responds to petitions from NRDC and allies.

Naturally Sustainable Buildings › Entering a new era of sustainable building design

Phil Fung: Professional Engineer, Designated Consulting Engineer

SOM proposes carbon-eating sequoia skyscraper

Energy, Real Estate  •  Treehugger

“Urban Sequoia” is a proposal by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The building is designed to sequester 1,000 tons of carbon per year, using nature-based materials that absorb carbon over time, making buildings and cities part of the climate solution.

The right way to build in a climate crisis

Real Estate  •  Treehugger

How we get around determines what we build; therefore, transportation and urban form are two sides of the same coin. So the key is to reverse this, to build at the right density to support low-carbon modes of transportation.

Wood could be the new concrete

Real Estate  •  GreenBiz

With efforts to find ways to lock up carbon, developers, architects and net-zero committed companies are asking, “Is wood the new concrete?” New technology in mass timber production offers a carbon-cutting alternative to concrete and steel in the building sector.

Ontario approves development harming at-risk species

Real Estate  •  Globe and Mail  •  CBC  •  Canada.ca

Ontario’s Environment Ministry “automatically” approves permits for developments that may harm at-risk species, the province’s Auditor-General said in a report that also concludes the government failed to consult the public before making legislative changes affecting the environment.

ICC publishes EV, building resource

Transportation  •  Green Lodging News  •  Connected Magazine  •  CISION

The International Code Council (ICC), the world’s largest developer of model building codes and standards, published an educational resource on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and building codes called, Electric Vehicles and Building Codes: A Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions.

CanREA issues CTA for electricity sector

Energy  •  ReNew Canada  •  GlobeNewswire  •  Renewables Association

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) has called for electricity sector decision-makers to embrace a new vision for the role of wind energy, solar energy and energy storage in powering Canada’s journey to net-zero by 2050.

Green energy could replace Calgary’s oil & gas workers

Energy  •  Globe and Mail

Calgary remains Canada’s energy capital, but other industries are starting to grow. Green energy and other clean-tech businesses have the potential to be an even bigger economic driver, as Canada seeks to meet its commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

US House passes microgrid tax credit in vote

Energy, Real Estate  •  Microgrid Knowledge

The microgrid tax credit cleared the US House of Representatives in a vote approving President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act. The 30 per cent tax credit would apply to microgrid controllers for projects that begin construction before Jan. 1, 2027.

Energy-efficient data centres see growth

Energy  •  Environmental Leader

Energy-efficient data centers relying on renewable sources are becoming a tool for industries to reduce their emissions, which is driving the market’s growth, according to The Research and Markets report, which says energy-efficient data centers were valued at $53.19 billion in 2020.

Repairing the world’s carbon offset markets

Energy, Finance  •  Yale 360

Markets connecting businesses hoping to offset their carbon emissions with climate change mitigation projects have been plagued by problems. But an economist and his co-authors argue carbon markets can be reformed and play a significant role in slowing global warming.

Canada’s transition plan may include greenwashing

Finance  •  Corporate Knights

The Canadian Standards Association is developing a taxonomy for transition finance, which in theory should prevent greenwashing. However, the project could instead keep the door open for fossil fuels at a time when we need to transition away from them.

What’s stopping banks from taking climate action

Real Estate  •  CBC

One of the challenges the financial sector faces when pouring money into lowering the world’s emissions is the risk-averse nature ingrained in many banks: Early-stage technologies are risky. Many technologies that could be critical to decarbonization are still in development.

Research finds investor skepticism around companies’ ESG plans

ESG  •  Corporate Secretary  •  Environmental Leader

BMO to deploy $300B for 1st nuclear financing

Energy, Finance  •  Canadian Manufacturing  •  Cision  •  Bruce Power

Ontario’s Bruce Power has launched a green finance framework to mitigate climate change and enhance a clean, safe and sustainable way of life for present and future generations. BMO will deploy $300 billion in lending to companies pursuing sustainable outcomes by 2025.

VIVREAU opens Vancouver HQ to combat plastic waste

Real Estate, Health, Waste  •  Canada Newswire

Vivreau Water, the world’s leader in sustainable water dispensers for business, unveils its North American headquarters in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Safe water solutions continue to be a priority for companies with corporate sustainability and health and wellness objectives.

Amazon adds recyclable grocery delivery packaging

Waste  •  Environmental Leader

Amazon is rolling out recyclable grocery delivery packaging that will maintain the temperature of cold and frozen products throughout the delivery window. The company says the packaging is made from recyclable materials and is also “curbside” recyclable for the consumer.