Recent Articles
Women in Green explores DEI in the building industry
Women in Green explores DEI in the building industry
Panelists drawn from different green building segments discussed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies and approaches at the Canada Green Building Council’s Women in Green symposium, which was part of the Building Lasting Change event.
How board diversity enables transition to net zero
• GreenBiz
While company engagement on climate change is rapidly evolving, new research has found that not enough companies are prioritizing tangible greenhouse gas reduction commitments or aligning future capital expenditure with these targets.
Optimism from COP26: Warming projections down
The world may be receding from gloomy scenarios of global warming, according to reports by the International Energy Agency and Australian scientists. If all goes right, recent actions will trim 2–3 tenths of a degree from projections made in mid-October.
Ottawa vows to end financing for foreign fossil fuels
Canada is pledging to end its foreign financing for fossil-fuel projects in 2022. The decision is the latest effort by Ottawa to use COP26 to push back against Canada’s international image as a robust supporter of the oil and gas industry.
Taking a look at inclusionary zoning in Toronto
• RENX
On Oct. 28, the City of Toronto’s Planning and Housing Committee recommended the approval of the controversial inclusionary zoning policy, which many planners and developers have butted heads over in the past.
Canada’s largest solar farm changes Alberta’s landscape
• CBC
What’s most stunning about the Travers Solar Project is its size. Imagine a seemingly endless prairie wheat or canola field. Except this land is filled with steel piles: 228,000 of them, when the last one is finally driven into the ground.
Architects Declare create guide for regenerative design
Architects Declare is a global movement that started in 2019. The organization has released a guide on how to run an architectural practice, which also outlines the significance of the industry and its carbon footprint.
Centre Block rehab team reducing energy, carbon
The Centre Block rehabilitation project at Parliament Hill in Ottawa poses many challenges, but it also presents opportunities to tackle pertinent issues of the day such as reducing energy and carbon consumption.
Maine votes to halt Hydro Quebec power line to U.S.
A proposal to build a new transmission line through Maine to bring Quebec’s hydroelectricity into the northeastern U.S. finally gave environmentalists and fossil fuel companies something they could agree on: opposition to the project.
Indigenous-led clean energy projects fuel reconciliation
Indigenous-led clean energy projects can fuel a just transition to a sustainable economy, say advocates sharing strategies at the UN climate conference in Glasgow. Indigenous clean energy projects can fortify the rights of Indigenous peoples to pursue sustainable development.
How patients can help curb health-care emissions
• CBC
Healthcare emissions make up about five per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gases, according to Dr. Samantha Green, a board member with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Both health-care providers and patients can help curb those emissions.
Pharma companies launch program for climate action
• Cision
Schneider Electric and Carnstone announced Energize – a first-of-its-kind program to increase access to renewable energy for pharmaceutical suppliers. The program is a collaboration between 10 global pharmaceutical companies to engage suppliers in climate action and decarbonization of the pharmaceutical value chain.
Clustering tech could help Canada reach climate goals
To meet its climate targets, Canada must support the deployment of clusters of low- and no-carbon technologies to the market. For example, deep energy retrofits can reduce energy by 50 to 80 per cent through insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.
Canada’s longest autonomous shuttle launches in ON
The future of public transportation in the town of Whitby, Ontario, is looking a little more futuristic with the launch of the Whitby Autonomous Vehicle Electric (WAVE) pilot project, an emissions-free, driverless electric shuttle.
Ballard announces 40 fuel module orders for Europe
• Ballard
Ballard Power Systems announced orders for 40 FCmove-HD (70kW) modules for planned deployment in hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (“FCEB”) across Europe in 2022. The FCEBs are being deployed in France, Germany and the UK.
Post-secondary institutions launch EaRTH District
Centennial College, the University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario Tech University, Durham College and Trent University are partnering to launch the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH District) in the eastern GTA region to advance clean, green, sustainable solutions.
Canadian fashion retailers seek sustainability practices
The global fashion industry produces anywhere from four to 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. As a multi-trillion-dollar sector that’s only expected to grow, brands are scrambling to become more environmentally-friendly.
Gabon’s green logging laws offer path to climate action
Gabon, with forests covering almost 90 per cent of its territory, is one of a few countries that absorb more carbon than they emit. At COP26, their leaders are seeking mechanisms to protect and expand this small club of carbon-negative countries.
Vail Resorts advances toward net zero operating footprint
• Renewable Energy Magazine • Cision
With this year’s winter season officially underway, skiers and snowboarders have another reason to celebrate: Vail Resorts‘ 34 North American mountains have reached 85 per cent renewable electricity — one big step closer to a zero net operating footprint by 2030.
Carbon-neutral silicone to reduce building emissions
Dow has announced a carbon neutrality program for silicone materials used for structural glazing, insulating glass and weather sealing designed to help the building industry cut emissions. The program will include some of the company’s DOWISL materials.
Industry Events
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Greenbuild 2024: Built to Scale
Nov 12 2024
to Nov 15 2024
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA -
Sustainable Finance Forum 2024
Nov 28 2024
to Nov 29 2024
Shaw Centre, Ottawa