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Warehouses pursue zero-carbon design

3 years ago

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For years, warehouses have lagged offices and retail properties in adopting energy-efficient, low-carbon design. The simple box structures are away from public view and under less pressure than other commercial real estate to demonstrate sustainability credentials.

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To reach net-zero by 2050, Canada would have to ensure energy efficiency and renewable energy renovations at an average of approximately 3 per cent of existing buildings per year. PACE programs could help tackle this task, but only if they grow quickly.

Sixteen Canadian organizations and five buildings across the country have been recognized by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) as the 2021 ENERGY STAR award winners. The awards recognize corporations for advancing energy efficiency and offering energy-efficient products and technology.

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Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and IFM Investors announced they will work together to grow Enwave’s potential to meet accelerating demand for low-carbon energy solutions. Appointed CEO, Carlyle Coutinho, will lead Enwave’s expansion into the US market.

Procore

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Electric vehicles are essential in fighting climate change and Canada can expect them to account for nearly one in three vehicles by 2030. However, deciding what to do with dead EV batteries remains a major obstacle to transitioning to clean energy.

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The next 10 years will likely be dramatic in terms of electric heavy commercial vehicles. The trend is already underway in China, but the rest of the world is expected to follow suit, with revenue expected to reach $370 billion annually by 2030.

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Wind-powered microgrids are rare, but CleanSpark and FlowGen are working to change that. FlowGen has agreed to use CleanSpark’s mPulse controls in all of its microgrid projects, while CleanSpark was granted rights for FlowGen’s wind turbine solutions in North America.

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TIU Canada, a solar company owned by Calgary investment company Refraction Asset Management, has been fighting in Ukrainian courtrooms since March 2020, when it says its 10.5 MW solar power plant in Nikopol was “forcibly” and “illegally” disconnected from the power grid.

Yardi Pulse

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Post-pandemic, companies are creating new ESG roles focusing on health and sustainability. Leslie Hushka, formerly of ExxonMobil, is now Bumble Bee‘s senior VP of global corporate responsibility. Bonita C. Steward, formerly of Google, joined EV charging company Volta Industries.

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EY Canada has named Kent Kaufield as its first ESG markets leader & chief sustainability officer. In the role, Kaufield will drive the firm’s internal sustainability strategy as well as lead a consulting team that helps clients develop ESG strategies.

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Marsh has invested in expanding its specialist capabilities and geographical reach in support of its clients in renewable energy and power. In Canada, this has resulted in the appointment of Joanne Silberberg as Canadian renewable energy leader with Marsh Specialty.

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Today, TELUS announced that it has set new science-based GHG emissions reduction targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (STBi), to further demonstrate its global sustainability leadership and support the world’s fight against climate change.

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Conservation groups have pointed to Canada’s natural ecosystems as key assets in the effort to stem climate change. Now, a scientific study has provided policymakers with a detailed accounting of how those assets could be used to best effect.

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We are in an “era of sustainability” in which sustainably-based values, attitudes, and preferences are driving lifestyle choices and buying decisions. According to Principles for Responsible Management Education, the Sustainability Mindset is a way of thinking that results from an understanding of the ecosystem’s manifestations.

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Homes and businesses account for about 13 per cent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, resulting from the combustion of natural gas to cook food, fire furnaces, etc. Methane traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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The annual peak of global carbon dioxide has reached another dangerous milestone: 50 per cent higher than when the industrial age began. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the average carbon dioxide level for May was 419.13 parts per million.

Energy Profiles

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B.C. has all the tools to become a global leader in sustainable mining, but with that opportunity comes challenges and a narrowing window to make it a reality. That’s one of the takeaways from PwC Canada’s 53rd annual report.

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The interest in responsible investing is challenging financial advisors to find the right investments for their clients while avoiding “greenwashing”. According to a recent analysis by Bloomberg Intelligence, global ESG assets under management are on track to exceed US$53-trillion by 2025.

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Attention is turning to the recovery effort and how it will be financed. With climate change at the very top of the agenda for governments and corporates alike, green bonds already appear to be taking centre stage.

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The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, heavily by major institutions and corporates, has launched to help businesses assess nature-related risks and opportunities. More than half of the world’s economic output—$44 trillion—is dependent on nature, according to World Economic Forum.

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Aurea Technologies has launched its Kickstarter campaign for the Shine Turbine, an ultra-compact lightweight wind turbine that offers unrivaled performance for outdoor enthusiasts who need to recharge electronic devices.

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