Cris Nitz

Embodied carbon continues to be a hot topic. Catch up on recent developments including CAGBC's first ever embodied carbon summit, the recently released #ZeroCarbon Building – Design v4 Standard, and National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada's new embodied carbon reporting guide: https://ow.ly/CLSv50Su7bI

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Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada has launched a consultation for ideas “on accelerating innovation and productivity in Canada's homebuilding industry.” The consultation will work with stakeholders from the construction sector, plus academics, community leaders and the public, through themed roundtables to develop new ideas on how to address Canada’s persistent housing issues. https://lnkd.in/gPg-cDz6

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"To address the combined challenges of energy affordability and climate impacts, significant support is required to retrofit existing buildings...” The Pembina Institute's recommendations for advancing BC's net-zero energy economy highlight the actions needed to secure a greener future, including climate-resilient buildings. A key recommendation expanding the use of the BC Home Energy Planner. A collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and Properate, the planner uses Properate’s home energy rating technologies to improve access to virtual home energy evaluations, rebates, and upgrades. Read more: https://buff.ly/4gm4XOW #BritishColumbia | #ClimateResilience | #ClimateAction | #NetZero

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There’s an urgent need to design and implement more natural infrastructure projects in Canada and increase available dedicated funding. The International Institute for Sustainable Development new report looks at the amount of public grant funding available and what projects are getting the most funding: https://lnkd.in/gBgPDz_y 💰 IISD estimates that nearly $100 million CAD in grants were provided across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan to fund natural infrastructure projects in 2022. Authors: Thomas Saleh | Marina Puzyreva

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Our upcoming Knowledge Series webinar will give you the #TLDR on the latest research from our work with CSA Group in the circular built environment sector. 📊 Phase 1 addressed the current state, gaps and opportunities for circularity in the built environment in Canada. The report prompts us to consider the perspectives of all the system actors, build greater awareness around the opportunities, remove frictions, demonstrate successes and viability, then replicate and scale. Read the full report written by Scius Advisory: https://lnkd.in/eCtmZ8hQ 🚀 Phase 2 presents a strategic framework for future action to adapt to changes in business and user needs, create more affordable and cost-effective infrastructure when materials stay in use for longer, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable natural environment by keeping materials out of landfills and due to the need to extract fewer resources.  Read the full report written by Innovation North: https://lnkd.in/gtziFKUh Don’t miss the chance to hear from the researchers, ask questions, and hear from our panel of experts on the future of the circular built environment in Canada! Register today: https://lnkd.in/dxPwfuFG

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New research! Equitable Transit Oriented Affordable Housing: A Necessary Complement to Transit Development in Hamilton, ON The Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative (CHEC) have produced a compelling research report on an equitable approach to transit oriented development. They find: ▶ Canada is lagging behind the United States in recognizing that transit development and transit oriented development are often catalysts for reductions in housing affordability, the displacement of low-income and racialized people from the community, and the loss of local businesses, services and community spaces. ▶ This is especially true for governments responsible for planning and funding transit infrastructure development, which regularly promote the benefits of investment, without recognition of the negative effects it can cause. ▶ The characterization of Canada’s housing affordability problems as simply a problem of inadequate housing supply is a key barrier to the pursuit of equitable transit oriented development. ▶ Collaborator in the Hamilton Lab, the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) last year observed that the Federal Government’s proposed “Permanent Transit Fund represented an important opportunity to tie transit infrastructure funding to affordable housing development and preservation in transit station areas, however the likelihood of the Fund being designed this way was low given that the federal government does not acknowledge the negative impacts of transit development or the need to address them.” This can change! Maximizing the impact of public funds by using them to leverage private capital is a best practice in financing equitable transit oriented development (ETOD). In addition to leveraged capital, many US cities have found that a collaborative approach to equitable development is a common first step in achieving beneficial outcomes. With the Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Lab, participants are working to launch a Pilot built on the research provided by the Canadian Housing and Evidence Collaborative above, as well as shared knowledge from participants, non-profit housing providers, people with lived experience, and the learning from past CMHC Solutions Labs including the Financialization of Housing, led by SI Canada. The Lab has been funded by the National Housing Strategy’s Solutions Labs program, administered through CMHC.  Download the full research report by CHEC on our website here: https://lnkd.in/egu2Wfsg

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The Climate Smart Buildings Alliance (CSBA), a joint project between EllisDon, RBC, and Mattamy Homes, is launching the Responsible Buildings Pact, a cross-industry agreement aimed at increasing the use of low carbon materials in the built environment 🙌 This initiative was unveiled this afternoon at the CAGBC | Canada Green Building Council’s Building Lasting Change conference in Toronto, with over 20 companies committing to the Pact. “Recognizing the business realities everyone faces, the Pact is designed to ensure we are all doing our best to reduce the climate impacts of our industry, and to create more transparency and shared accountability across the value chain.” - David Messer, Director of Climate Smart Buildings Alliance. The Responsible Buildings Pact is an open, voluntary, industry-wide agreement for developers, consultants, contractors, and supporters interested in working together to reduce the embodied carbon of the buildings we create. Companies joining the Pact will commit to remaining educated on lower carbon materials, establishing a process to consistently evaluate whether lower carbon materials or design strategies can be used, and publicly reporting the results of their process and evaluations on an annual basis. For more information on the Responsible Buildings Pact please visit: https://lnkd.in/gNgDpSxH #ResponsibleBuildingsPact #ClimateSmartBuildings #BuildingForBetter #CSBA

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Join us for the "Voices Coast to Coast" panel at the CNAM 2024 Fall Virtual Summit! Explore the crucial role of effective asset management in ensuring resilience, efficiency, and sustainability across Canada. Our diverse panel of experts will delve into: - Regional Variations: Discover how asset management strategies differ from urban to rural and Northern communities, shaped by unique geographical and socio-economic factors. - Innovative Solutions: Learn about cutting-edge technologies and successful case studies that highlight effective infrastructure management practices. - Collaboration & Integration: Understand how various stakeholders work together to enhance infrastructure management and achieve long-term success. Featuring insights from industry leaders: - @Jaqueline Weston, Asset Management Program Manager, District of Saanich - Damien Burns, a/Deputy Minister, Community Services, Government of Yukon - Tonya Knopp, P.Eng., Manager, Facility Engineering, City of St. John’s - Moderated by: Kelsey Green, FEC, P.Eng., Vice President, Eagle Engineering + Consulting Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and practical advice! Register now! https://lnkd.in/eDYaWvd4 #CNAM2024 #AssetManagement #VoicesCoastToCoast

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The Government of Canada launched the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure! It helps communities across the country adapt to a changing climate when planning their #infrastructure and #housing projects. Check out what is available, such as: 1.     A Climate Help Desk to provide direct support to address infrastructure and climate related inquiries; 2.     A Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts to access advice about climate-related factors for public infrastructure and housing projects; and 3.     A Climate Toolkit Platform with tools and resources to help communities integrate climate change factors into their projects. This initiative will help tackle the effects of a changing climate on our infrastructure by improving the safety of buildings, homes and communities. Access these tools and join us in building up Canada, one project at a time. Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/e5iVbucq Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Have you had a chance to check out the new Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure? 👀 As communities feel the impacts of more frequent extreme weather, buildings and infrastructure must be designed to withstand the climate of our future, not the past. This resource will help communities to build climate-resilient housing and infrastructure with our changed and changing climate in mind. Looking for examples of climate-resilient buildings and public spaces? Check out this article for examples in #Edmonton, #Toronto, and #Montreal. 👇 https://lnkd.in/g9FNNHMu #ClimateResilience #Infrastructure #UrbanPlanning

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🌍 Join the Conversation on the Canadian Green Building Strategy! 🏠 The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act enshrines in legislation the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce GHG emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Canadian Green Building Strategy is set to transform buildings, reduce emissions, and boost sustainability across the country. We want to hear from you! Join our forum discussion to dive deep into the strategy, share your insights, and collaborate on innovative solutions. https://lnkd.in/e6K9Ryf5 #GreenBuilding #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CGBS #NetZero #Innovation

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As urban landscapes evolve and housing demands increase, repurposing underutilized office buildings emerges as a sustainable solution. Our duo—Tobias Fellows (Principal, Public Buildings) and Blake Jackson (Director, Sustainability)—recently participated in the Association of Energy Engineers Canada East's final webinar of the session, “Office-to-Residential Conversions: A Whole Building Approach.” The presentation focused on the future of housing availability and opportunities for existing buildings conversions to combat the dual affordability and climate crises. The team highlighted Whole Building approaches to balance and enhance energy efficiency while reducing embodied carbon by realizing the potential and intrinsic value of existing and heritage structures for new, modern uses. For more comprehensive strategies to guide every phase of a building's lifecycle—from design, construction and operation to the building’s end-of-life considerations—connect with our team. Thanks to the AEE Canada East for including us. Watch the presentation: https://lnkd.in/gAU5q2iM #OfficeConversions #NORR #Architecture #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateCrisis #HousingShortage #BuildingRepurposing #BuildingLifecycle, Tobias Fellows, Blake Jackson, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL Faculty, CPHC

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Creating Sustainable Futures: The Green Business Guide by Greener Buildings Association of Canada This video delves into the importance of sustainable business practices and offers a comprehensive guide to help businesses go green. From reducing carbon footprint to implementing eco-friendly strategies, we cover it all. Join us in creating a more sustainable future for our planet! Remember to like and share this video to inspire others to make a positive impact. #SustainableBusiness #GoGreen #EnvironmentalResponsibility

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Can Canada innovate its way out of the housing crisis? Only if neighbors are on board. The affordability of housing is a growing challenge across Canada. While planners, policymakers, and developers push for innovative housing solutions to accelerate production and maximize land use, community resistance can stall or kill projects. So, how do we shift public opinion and build support for housing innovation? To find out, we conducted interviews and surveyed 2,500 Canadians about their attitudes toward key housing innovations. We discovered that if people believe their neighbors support innovative developments—or if they already see them in their area—they’re much more likely to back them, too. Want to learn more about what drivers and inhibits housing innovation? Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e6BDxR4W

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📢 Make your voice heard on sustainability today! The City of Toronto launched a public consultation on the development of the TransformTo Net Zero Strategy for 2026-2030. This aims to collect information on the climate impacts you are experiencing, actions you are currently taking on both climate adaptation and mitigation, barriers and challenges you are facing, and supports and resources that would help you overcome these barriers. Check out the survey here: https://buff.ly/4fvvTe6. Live Green Toronto #toronto #sustainability #cityoftoronto #transformto #netzero #urbanplanning #sustainabilityplanning #canada

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