Infrastructure Ontario ramps up conservation efforts

Infrastructure Ontario ramps up conservation efforts

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) have struck a strategic, five-year partnership to test innovative processes, technologies and program delivery models to accelerate the adoption of conservation and demand management (CDM) solutions by Ontario’s broader public sector. IO’s portfolio features approximately 4,000 buildings.

Infrastructure Ontario

Cost, education barriers to Net Zero building

A new report from Navigant Research analyzes the global market for net zero energy (ZNE) buildings in the residential and commercial sectors, examining major market changes, as well as drivers and barriers, key technology and design trends, and related regulation and outreach programs.

Navigant Research

Call for projects for new zero carbon building standard

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is looking for Canadian projects to participate in a two-year immersion program for developers and designers undertaking near-net zero developments in new or existing buildings across Canada. Chosen projects will play a leadership role as the first-to-market for certification under CaGBC’s new Zero Carbon Building Standard.

Canada Green Building Council

Designing for wellness brings big benefits

Designing for wellness impacts the bottom line: 92% of a building portfolio’s costs are for personnel. Site design features targeting wellness can improve employee efficiency; reduce medical costs and insurance premiums; and attract and retain better talent.

Building Design + Construction

EcoDistricts Protocol next big building trend?

The EcoDistricts Protocol revolves around three imperatives—equity, climate protection, and resilience—and six priorities—resource regeneration, living infrastructure, health and well-being, connectivity, place, and prosperity.

Building Design + Construction

Montreal’s Le 1500 earns LEED EB:O&M certification

Ivanhoé Cambridge’s Le 1500 has cemented its place as one of the most energy-efficient office buildings in Montreal with a LEED Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB:O&M) certification from the Canada Green Building Council to join its BOMA BEST Platinum certification.

Sustainable Biz Canada

LEED® registered projects in Canada surpass 1 billion square feet

Green building in Canada has reached a significant milestone, with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) announcing that there are now over 1 billion square feet of LEED^® registered projects in Canada. Representing nearly 7,000 LEED buildings, homes and communities since 2004.

CaGBC News Release

	BIPVCo sells the ‘little black dress’ of solar
	Paul Bates, chief operating officer at BIPVCo believes the “Coco Chanel” of solar roofing comes in the form of BIPVCo’s technology, which uses thin film PV technology to create an all-in-one solar roofing solution.
	Green Biz, January 24, 2017

 

Building-integrated photovoltaic on the upswing

The push to boost energy efficiency in buildings has helped drive the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) global market, a new study says. BCC Research reveals in a new report that BIPV has limitless market potential because buildings account for more than 40 per cent of all energy consumption.

Proud Green Building

Application helps untangle the economics of solar in Alberta

Adding solar power in Alberta isn’t as simple as mounting some panels on the side of a building and then tapping into the grid. A number of other factors come into play, enough of them that they can discourage prospective solar power customers.

Sustainable Biz Canada

New Alberta energy efficiency agency open for business

For months, the board of Energy Efficiency Alberta has been working on a report to guide the province’s new energy efficiency programs.  Here’s the direction in which Alberta will head as a result.  Energy Efficiency Alberta, a new, not-for-profit Crown agency, will support energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses.

Canada.com

B.C. hemlock paired with bamboo a laminate material

A researcher with B.C. ties is looking to open more doors for Canadian western hemlock in China’s construction sector by introducing a hybrid laminate material that combines the timber with bamboo. Brad Jianhe Wang, a UBC graduate who now heads Sino-Canada Low-Carbon in Ningbo, China, said his group is looking at the potential of a hemlock-bamboo CLT (cross-laminate timber) as a building material.

Vancouver Sun

Lufa Farms opens third rooftop greenhouse farm

In 2011 Mo Hage and his wife Lauren Rathmell opened what was reputed to be the world’s first commercial rooftop greenhouse, atop an industrial building in Ahuntsic. A rooftop greenhouse uses no land. And because it absorbs heat from the building below, it uses 50 per cent less energy than one on the ground – and reduces energy costs for building owners.

Montreal Gazette

HGTV’s Mike Holmes endorses net zero homes

Building for the future means building homes that are sustainable and rely on renewable sources of energy. For many homeowners, the dream home includes the finishing touches like stainless steel appliances and open concept kitchens. We’re starting to see a shift and notice that homeowners are also asking about energy efficiency.

National Post

Vancouver hires well-known environmentalist to guide green policy

The City of Vancouver has hired a well-known environmental advocate to help guide its quest to become the greenest city on the planet. Matt Horne, the former associate director of environmental think-tank the Pembina Institute and a member of B.C.’s climate leadership team, is the city’s new climate change policy manager.

CBC News

Philadelphia, San Diego make smart District 2030 moves

Cities increasingly are looking to reduce energy and water use and limit emissions. 2030 Energy Districts, which are voluntary standards upon which municipalities and building owners agree, are one structure under which these efforts are moving forward. Yesterday, The San Diego Union Tribune reported that the city is on the way to becoming a 2030 District. 

Energy Manager Today – San Diego Tribune

	NYC to slash 80% of GHG by 2050
	New York City understands the very real threat presented by climate change. This drives city officials to work diligently toward a more sustainable, resilient city and encouraged them to establish an ambitious goal to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
	BDC Network, January 19, 2017

 

Products, Technology and Design

An open letter to engineers

Infrastructure engineers design projects that last. Energy projects designed now will be in place for the next 50 years, and likely will lock us into a specific fuel source for longer than that. Whether you are installing a replacement chiller or designing a high capacity hydroelectric dam, approach each design as if it could fundamentally change the way our world operates. 

Green Biz

	Sustainable Biz advertising opportunity!
	Sustainable Biz Canada (SBC) launched in 2016 and already has thousands of page views available for advertisers. Website exposure on RENX.ca, ads in the Green Real Estate Newsletter, writing services and more.
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Green Building Rating Systems

USGBC introduces Greenbuild scholarship recipients

Every year, US Green Building Council offers scholarships to make Greenbuild accessible to people who would otherwise not be able to attend. Eighty-eight individuals received a scholarship to attend Greenbuild 2016 in Los Angeles. Scholarship recipients represent a diverse group of people from around the world who share a passion for USGBC’s vision. 

US Green Building Council

Market Trends and Research

Skyscraper farms could represent the future of food

According to Rick Byrd, the future of farming is tall, dirtless and local. Byrd’s vision of skyscraper farms to feed city dwellers begins with a much different kind of crop: marijuana. Byrd is chief executive officer and founder of Pure Agrobusiness Inc., a company that sells equipment to grow legal cannabis, a market worth $6 billion in 2016 and expected to reach $50 billion by 2026.

Financial Post

Harvesting trees for carbon credits in New Brunswick

On a country back road near Penobsquis, an experiment is underway that its supporters hope will point the way to a market-driven, low-carbon economic boom for New Brunswick. A non-profit organization called Community Forests International bought more than 285 hectares of forest from a private landowner and is now harvesting it using low-impact, sustainable methods.

CBC News

Green building awards

Two Canadian buildings honoured for sustainability

Two Canadian facilities are 2017 winners of ASHRAE Technology Awards for innovative building design that enables sustainable and energy-efficient operations. Toronto’s Humber River Hospital is recognized for excellence in the health care sector, while Montreal’s Centre de transport Stinson receives the honour for industry facilities/processes. 

REMI Network

Market trends and research

Why organic farming matters more than ever before

Organically managed farms have been shown to produce higher yields than their conventional counterparts during droughts, according to one of the biggest studies ever done on organic farming and published in the journal Nature Plants in 2016.

National Post

Municipal Policy and Urban Issues

Urban density increases in Fredericton

With fewer single-family homes and more apartment buildings constructed in 2016, Fredericton’s urban makeup is shifting in a way that mirrors lifestyle changes across North America. People want to live closer to where they work and play, and the city’s most recent development report reflects that, said Coun. John MacDermid, chair of the city’s development committee.

CBC News

This California city is leading the zero-carbon charge

Menlo Park’s updated zoning requires new developments to use 100 per cent renewable energy, not only for electricity but for all energy, including natural gas (based on energy use with conversion between kWh and BTU), gently guiding a transition to electric, fossil-fuel-free buildings.

Green Biz

Commercial real estate

From an industrial park to an eco-neighborhood in Brussels, Belgium

A former industrial park constructed in 1907 and originally used as a shipping and customs complex is set to undergo a transformation into a sustainable eco-neighborhood covering 135,000-sm. A little less than one-third of this space consists of the 40,000-sm Gare Maritime (Marine Terminal). 

BDC Network

Renewable Energy

Alberta homeowners to receive new free, energy upgrades

Free LED lights, new appliance rebates and business incentives are among the programs coming to Alberta in 2017 to help homes and businesses save energy and money, said Environment Minister Shannon Phillips in late January. The programs are based on the recommendations of a seven-person advisory panel chaired by energy conservation expert David Wheeler.

CBC News

Commercial Green Buildings

“Plyscrapers” gaining in popularity

Big timber is sprouting up in cities in North America and abroad. After years of feasibility studies and design proposals, buildings six stories or taller constructed primarily from pre-engineered wood products are being considered in cities around the world.

Building Design + Construction

Government Programs and Incentives

Banning asbestos a first step toward a healthy environment

Banning asbestos is an important step towards fulfilling the fundamental right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment. It also demonstrates that we finally have a federal government willing to make decisions based on scientific evidence.

Ottawa Citizen

Municipal Policy and Urban Issues

	Sustainable Biz followers on Twitter
	Follower The Buildings Performance Institute EU is a Brussels based think-tank delivering policy analysis, advice and implementation support for buildings energy performance.
	Follow BizSustainably, the most comprehensive news feed on Twitter for Canadian business concerned about sustainability.

 

Cities and Towns

Winnipeg likely to face challenge over new growth fee

The Manitoba Home Builders Association is expected to file its legal challenge against the City of Winnipeg’s new growth fees in late January. In October, city council voted 10-6 in favour of charging $500 for every 100 square feet of new residential space in selected areas at the fringes of the city, to pay for growth-related infrastructure.

CBC News

Transit, bikes and transportation

City mayors call for improved public transit

In a substantive meeting in late January, Canada’s big-city mayors urged the Prime Minister to use his government’s next budget to launch a new era of public transit and to tackle Canada’s housing affordability crisis head-on.

Canada Newswire

Water Management

New advisory board members join International Wastewater Systems

International Wastewater Systems Inc. announced that Mr. Steve Moddemeyer, Mr. Qu Yuxiu and Mr. Alfred Ng, have joined as members of the IWS Advisory Board. IWS’s Advisory Board was established to formally leverage the company’s network of renewable energy experts and industry leaders already supporting the adoption of IWS technology around the world.

Marketwired

Waste Management

Smart waste solutions are helping cut down on garbage

Smart waste collection solutions on the market track waste levels and provide route optimization and operational analytics. Municipalities and waste service managers are realizing that these solutions can help them meet sustainability goals (such as zero waste), improve services for residents and reduce operational costs.

Green Biz