Recent Articles
The audacious play for an all-Canadian electric car
The audacious play for an all-Canadian electric car
The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, which represents Canadian companies that ordinarily supply parts to international automakers, announced the design for Project Arrow – an effort to prove that a zero-emissions vehicle can be completely designed, engineered and built here.
IEA calls for changes as demand for oil set to end
The growth in global demand for oil will end within the next decade, according to the International Energy Agency, as the world reaches a critical window where it must accelerate toward net-zero emissions goals to meet climate-change targets.
World Green Building Week most successful to date
• World Green Building Council
The World GBC showcased its 11th World Green Building Week with the 2020 campaign the organization’s most successful to date. There were over 300 events in 43 countries, with more than 470 hours of live content and a social media reach of four million-plus.
Paul Frith honoured with CaGBC Toronto volunteer award
When Paul Frith first became involved with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) six years ago, he knew one person within the organization. Now he’s been recognized for his volunteer efforts with its Greater Toronto Area chapter.
Canada sees growth in ESG investing; U.S. trends downward
• Globe and Mail • Environmental Leader
As major Canadian investors continue to embrace environmental, social and governance factors, U.S. counterparts are increasingly rejecting them, leaving Canadians more in line with European attitudes. Canada is above world averages where seventy-five per cent say they use ESG principles.
Carbon offset market key to net-zero emissions: Carney
At an Institute of International Finance event, Mark Carney, currently the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, said the carbon offset market currently about US$300 million, should be “measured in the tens of billions of dollars per annum.”
Banks executive pay should link to climate goals
Speaking at the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative, Mark Carney said banks should link executive pay to climate risk management and be transparent about the decision to assist in alignment of the finance industry with Paris climate goals.
HSBC is latest bank to pledge net-zero financed emissions
HSBC, currently Europe’s second-largest financier of fossil fuels, has become the latest bank to commit to achieving net-zero financed emissions, announcing that it intends to align its portfolio of investments and debt financing with global climate targets by mid-century.
IESO to implement new Demand Management framework
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario has received a Ministerial directive from the province to implement a new 2021-2024 Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) framework, launching the week of January 4, 2021, targeting those who need it the most.
Hydro Ottawa first utility to earn international certification
Hydro Ottawa has received ISO55001:2014 certification for best practices in asset management from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), based in Geneva. Hydro Ottawa is one of only three other North American electric utilities to receive this distinction.
Hydropower pushes for greater access to green finance
Hydropower, the world’s largest source of renewable electricity, could begin using environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) measures to bolster project financing from the end of this year. The industry’s criteria may soon be used for green bond financing.
Caisse buying Spanish solar-power assets from Q-Energy
• Globe and Mail • Canada Newswire
The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec has signed a deal to buy a portfolio of solar power assets in Spain from Q-Energy, 73 assets located throughout Spain that together can produce enough electricity to supply more than 115,000 households.
Tims eliminating 300M plastic straws from Canadian locations
Tim Hortons is in the process of introducing paper straws in its 4,000 restaurants in Canada and plans to complete the transition from plastic by early 2021. It’s estimated that the full transition to paper straws will eliminate around 300 million plastic straws.
IKEA Canada to launch alternative Black Friday campaign
• Canada Newswire • Toronto Star
This Black Friday, IKEA Canada will put sustainability at the core of its offer. IKEA will invite Canadians nationwide to sell-back their gently used IKEA products, offering up to double the sell-back value via in-store credit during the campaign period.
Home microgrid demand spurred by wildfires in California
Interest in home microgrids is surging in California in response to wildfires and public safety power shutoffs with microgrid companies saying demand has jumped by as much as 1,000% in the last month along with pressure to install home microgrids quickly.
Austin is first major Texas city to adopt wildfire code
Responding to an increased risk of wildfire, Austin became the first major city in Texas to adopt a code aimed at curbing wildfires based on the International Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code action that could reduce the risk of suburban wildfires.
What are lawyers, accountants doing about climate change?
• GreenBiz
When it comes to the climate crisis, it’s not just what you make and sell, it’s what you do, and for whom you do it according to recent reports focusing on the role of service-sector companies in addressing climate change.
Global carbon emissions fell by record 8.8% YOY
Global carbon dioxide emissions fell by 8.8 per cent in the first half of 2020 compared to 2019 due to the effects of coronavius-related restrictions according to the journal Nature Communications as determined by scientists from China, France, Japan and United States.
As waters warm, ocean heatwaves become more severe
• Yale 360
With oceans absorbing more than 90 percent of global warming, marine heatwaves are becoming hotter and larger and are lasting longer. Scientists say the trend has major ecological consequences, from altering fish and plant populations to forcing whales into hazardous waters.
Great Barrier Reef may not recover from bleaching
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral in the past 30 years. Bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 have meant fewer small, baby and breeding adult corals and scientists fear the loss will compromise its ability to recover.
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