Recent Articles
Humber College’s net-zero Barrett CTI a green leader
Humber College’s net-zero Barrett CTI a green leader
Windows open on their own at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation … and it’s no mistake. Natural ventilation is one sustainability feature in the 93,000-square-foot smart building. The net-zero energy building opened in April at Humber College’s Toronto north campus.
Climate risk profilers wrangle fragmented data
A newly released report from Global Property Index producer, MSCI, draws on geospatial and climate hazard data to identify where and how real estate assets could be vulnerable to extreme weather events and patterns.
Insurers eager to comment on code changes
Whether climate change is wholly man-made or part of a deeper natural cycle isn’t the question, say the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and the Insurance Bureau of Canada. It’s how to mitigate damage from floods, wildfires and wind storms.
Canada’s building code gets U.S. expert’s advice
• CBC
Canada’s national building code has guidelines for how to construct homes to defend against wind, snow, rain and earthquakes — but not floods. The National Research Council is working on potential changes to the code that would include information flood-proofing buildings.
Startup creates new material to replace concrete
A construction startup that is promising to revolutionize the construction industry with a new low-carbon building material has opened a head office in Vancouver, and is getting backing from some big names in B.C.’s real estate and construction industries.
Ontario’s acceptance grows for Passive House
Passive House certifications for Part 3 buildings are growing at a remarkable rate across the country, and no more so than in Ontario. This was apparent at Passive House Canada’s recent Annual Conference at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
How a big renovation unfolds on a small footprint
Climate-change concerns are prompting homeowners to increasingly factor sustainability into their renovations. “Not everybody’s looking at making a change in their carbon footprint, but more people are considering it,” said Brendan Charters, development manager with Eurodale Design + Build.
CBRE gets Edmonton office WELL certified
Commercial real estate company CBRE announced that its Edmonton office has achieved WELL Certification at the silver level for new and existing Interiors by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
Wood waste helps power Edmonton electrical grid
• Edmonton Journal • Canada Newswire • Edmonton Journal
An energy technology project that converts wood waste into renewable natural gas has been providing energy to Edmonton homes and businesses for six months in a demonstration project, and now its ready to scale up.
Multiple renewable power sources make better projects
• Globe and Mail (Sub. required)
Third-generation farmer James Praskach is part of a landowner consortium that is hosting the sprawling 300-megawatt Blackspring Ridge Wind Project in southeastern Alberta. He receives regular lease payments from the $600-million project that came online in 2014.
Efficiency Manitoba offering energy-saving programs
A new Crown corporation dedicated to reducing Manitobans’ energy consumption is anticipating that its programs will save electricity customers a total of $14.9 million a year over the next three years and natural gas customers $3 million a year over the same period.
Energize: a focus on the renewable
From Gaz Métropolitain to Énergir, Sophie Brochu has turned the natural gas distributor into a renewable energy producer active on both sides of the border. His successor, Eric Lachance, inherits a springboard to make it an even greener business.
Alberta sets $30-per-tonne carbon tax
• Globe and Mail • CBC
Alberta is imposing a $30-per-tonne carbon tax on large industrial facilities in January and using part of the proceeds to fund green technology projects. The tax could increase in future years to keep pace with the federal government’s climate plan.
How to halt global warming for $300 billion
US$300 billion is the money needed to stop the rise in greenhouse gases and buy up to 20 years of time to fix global warming, according to U.N. scientists. It’s the GDP of Chile, or the world’s military spending every 60 days.
The growing ‘re-commerce’ retail sector
• Globe and Mail (Sub. required)
With the rise in demand for a more sustainable way to consume, people are turning to re-commerce (or resale commerce), a growing retail category that suits ethical consumers, bargain hunters, Marie Kondo disciples alike, and shoppers out for distinctive looks.
Pattison’s empire faces up to climate change
• Globe and Mail (Sub. required)
In 1961, Jim Pattison opened a two-car showroom with three gasoline pumps, before parlaying the Pontiac-Buick dealership in Vancouver into a global conglomerate. Today, the 91-year-old B.C. billionaire is too busy working to indulge in nostalgia.
Garbage tycoon plans Canada’s largest IPO
GFL Environmental Inc. and chief executive officer Patrick Dovigi aim to raise as much as US$2.1 billion in what would be Canada’s largest-ever initial public offering. The IPO could run to US$2.4 billion if additional shares are sold.
Walmart Canada stops plastic from entering supply chain
Since launching the Walmart Canada Charter on Plastics earlier this year, Walmart Canada has implemented a number of packaging changes which will help prevent more than 1.1 million pounds of plastic from entering the supply chain.
Sobeys diverts 720,000 plastic bags from the landfill
Sobeys Inc. announced plans to donate a collection of public seating made entirely of recycled plastic bags and heavier recycled plastic materials, such as bins, to be installed in family-oriented community spaces across Atlantic Canada.
Winpak pledges product sustainability within five years
About two weeks ago, Olivier Muggli, the CEO of Winnipeg-based Winpak Inc., met with the CEO of Premium Brands, the $3 billion Vancouver-based multi-brand food packaging company, along with about 30 members of his team.
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