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RBC to switch nearly two-thirds of Canadian branches to heat pumps by 2035

1 month ago

RBC to retrofit nearly two-thirds of Cdn. branches by 2035

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) plans to retrofit the Canadian retail banking branches it controls with low-carbon heating and cooling systems, a move estimated to slash the greenhouse gas emissions per site by 70 per cent.

Cda. should hasten transition to low-carbon concrete: report

A new study by the Pembina Institute, Carbon-free Concrete: Building a net-zero foundation for Canada, calls on federal and provincial governments to ramp up procurement policies to stimulate production of low-carbon concrete in Canada.

ReliON raises $3M for predictive EV charger maintenance tech

Montreal-based ReliON has raised $3 million to build its team and develop its software that promotes proactive maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. ReliON was the first company to emerge from Montreal's Diagram Ventures’ ClimateTech Fund.

Toronto floods show need for climate action: Trudeau

Massive flooding in the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday was a “significant event,” underscoring the need to step up Canada’s fight against climate change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Toronto Hydro said around 3,300 customers remained without power Wednesday morning.

Microsoft makes strategic investment in Cyclic Materials

Kingston, Ont.-based metals recycling company Cyclic Materials has received an equity investment from Microsoft’s (MSFT-Q) Climate Innovation Fund, an initiative dedicated to accelerating technology development and deployment of new climate innovations.

Carbon Upcycling achieves B Corp certification

Calgary-based carbon capture company Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Inc. has announced its achievement of B Corporation certification by the B Lab. B Corp certifications recognize companies that meet B Lab's ESG standards for businesses.

Li-Cycle appoints Liam Cunningham as CFO

Toronto-based battery recycler Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (LICY-N) has appointed Craig Cunningham to the role of chief financial officer, effective July 20. Cunningham has served as Li-Cycle’s interim CFO since March 2024.

Empire expands partnership with FoodHero

Canadian grocery company Empire Co. Ltd. (EMP-A-T) is expanding its partnership with a Montreal-based app dedicated to mitigating food waste. FoodHero announced Tuesday that the partnership is significantly expanding to new regions, including Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Western Canada.

Climate change damage is harming companies’ profits: survey

More than half of Canadian businesses took financial hits last year from extreme weather, yet a large majority of executives say their companies lack the time and resources to prioritize cutting carbon emissions, a new survey by KPMG finds.

How Canadian companies are connecting sustainability to ROI

In an economy where consumers are increasingly alert to greenwashing – and regulatory environments are steadily more geared toward enforcing sustainable standards – talking a good green game may simply not be enough any more.

New project aims to create green‑hydrogen research hub

Researchers from Dalhousie University are collaborating with the National Research Council of Canada on a project that aims to identify and test catalysts that could serve as alternatives to the costly precious metals used in the production of green hydrogen.

Federal govt. promises ban on oil furnaces for new builds

Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has announced an intention to ban the installation of oil furnaces in new construction as early as 2028. The planned phase-out would be paired with more financial support for Canadians to purchase and install heat pumps.

Ford pivots from EV plans to heavy-duty trucks at Ont. facility

Ford Motor (F-N) on Thursday outlined plans to use its Oakville Assembly facility, which it had earmarked for a future EV, to instead build larger, gasoline-powered versions of its flagship F-Series pickup truck.

GM not reiterating 2025 EV production capacity forecast

General Motors (GM-N) on Monday declined to reiterate its previously announced forecast that it would have one million units of EV production capacity in North America by the end of 2025.

How B.C. is building its brand in bespoke EVs

B.C.’s small, nascent EV manufacturing sector has had some success in serving niche markets, such as electric buses and motorcycles. But most of the manufacturing and assembly of these products is done in the U.S.

Summer road trip route planning for EVs made easy

A new EV road trip planning feature in Quebec City-based FLO’s EV charging app lets drivers customize their journey, optimize routes and find charging stops at more than 30 networks.

Inside Starbucks’ strategy for EV drivers

Starbucks (SBUX-Q) is adding fast-charging stations for EVs at more than 100 of its locations, starting with the 2,253-mile Interstate 5 corridor from California to Washington state. The installation is being handled by Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging.

GRESB launches Transition Analytics tool

Amsterdam-based sustainability standards company and ESG benchmark provider GRESB has launched Transition Analytics, a new tool designed to help asset owners and managers navigate transition risks with a focus on the most emission-intensive sectors.

China solar firms, Saudis to build $3B US worth of projects

Two Chinese solar firms, TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co. and Jinko Solar Co., signed deals worth some $3 billion US to build plants in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the oil-rich kingdom’s campaign to boost renewable power production.

Is hydrogen fuel the key to sustainable aviation?

Research from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden shows that nearly all Nordic air travel under 1,200 kilometres could be hydrogen powered by 2045. The researchers based this figure on an existing aircraft model adapted for use with hydrogen power.

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