Shane Wenzel 🏘️’s Post

Winter closure of pedestrian/cyclist bridges in Ottawa shows the city is not serious about sustainability - environmental, economic, or social. Carleton spent $50,000 per spot for parking garage construction and paved vast green spaces with surface parking; every diverted trip away from active transportation because of long/undesirable detours is extremely costly to all stakeholders. https://lnkd.in/eBjqffyt

The letter to Vancouver City Council on the expansion fossil fuel infrastructure into new buildings that I helped organize got picked up by the Vancouver Sun. From the article: "A group of about 100 business leaders recently wrote to council expressing “profound concern” about the July decision, and urging the city to remain “committed to its long-term climate goals and … not allow short-term pressure from one out-of-touch industry to derail the progress we have made together.” The letter’s signatories include well-known figures from Vancouver’s retail, restaurant, movie, engineering, technology, investment, and tourism industries. “Our businesses have thrived in a city that is recognized globally for its commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking policies. We have collectively invested in building a future that aligns with these values, understanding that sustainability is not only good for the planet but also for the economy,” the letter says. “Vancouver’s building bylaws, based on sound climate science, have been a cornerstone of this progress, helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint significantly. The sudden reversal, no doubt influenced by pressure from the gas industry, undermines decades of efforts to build a sustainable, resilient economy and a strong reputation as a globally recognized, climate leading city.” I'll link to the full article in the comments.

As Canada has become more urbanized, greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian urban communities have declined by 17% from 1990 levels. Meanwhile, emissions from the rural economy – heavy industry, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and intercity transport – have increased by 30% over the same period. Since 2005, moreover, urban emissions have fallen by more than a quarter, while rural emissions from those same sectors have remained stable. Both statistics show that cities are driving Canada’s progress toward its 2030 targets, writes John Lorinc. Still, there’s a chasm between what municipal climate plans call for and what they actually deliver, and that fact of urban life is not new. Sustainability consultant Jeb Brugmann, the founder of Resilient Cities Catalyst, describes it as “the implementation gap.” In his experience, climate plans falter because city officials don’t follow through by then doing the hard work of hacking through the Gordian knot of regulatory and cultural obstacles to change. Read more in this latest feature in our Spring 2024 issue. Toronto Environmental Alliance #EarthDay #Cdnpoli #climate #greencities https://lnkd.in/dMyKxVed

Part of HOLBAs mission to support Sustainability for all of our businesses. Making it easier to be green.

Investing in retrofits adds value to your property and makes it a hot commodity on the market 🔥 🌟 Embrace the Warmth: A deep retrofit turns your home into a cozy haven, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for chilly days! 🏡 💸 Budget-Friendly Energy Bills: Living in Ireland can mean high energy costs, but not anymore! A deep retrofit significantly lowers monthly bills, making sustainable living both environmentally friendly and pocket-friendly. 💚💡 🏠 Boost Property Value: Investing in retrofits isn’t just about the present; it’s an investment in the future. Watch as your property value skyrockets, offering a solid return on investment when it’s time to sell. 📈💰 #dublin #ireland #deepretrofit #homeupgrade #energysavings #cozyliving #propertyvalueboost #markethotspot #warmhome #sustainableliving #budgetfriendly #sustainableliving #realestategains #homesweethome #irishhomes #greenliving #roigoals

40-60% of Calgary and Edmonton's emissions come from buildings. Alberta Ecotrust is stepping up with a $15M initiative to accelerate deep building retrofits across Alberta, aiming to make energy efficiency more accessible and impactful. This move supports existing structures in lowering their carbon footprint, which is an effort we support wholeheartedly. Retrofitting isn’t just about updating a building - it’s about making homes and communities more sustainable and cost-effective. #energyefficient #carbonfootprint

Simpson Grierson has confirmed its role in the approval of the Beachlands South private plan change, the first to consider GHG emissions from development. A milestone for sustainable housing growth. https://hubs.la/Q02_HD1J0

Green Building in Colorado: Good for the Planet, Great for Your Wallet! 💚 Green buildings aren’t just eco-friendly—they’re economically smart too: ✅ Energy Savings: Lower bills with energy-efficient designs. 💧 Water Conservation: Essential in Colorado's arid climate = reduced costs. 🏡 Higher Property Values: Desirable, sustainable buildings = better returns. 💼 Boosted Productivity: Healthier indoor air leads to happier, more productive occupants. 📉 Government Incentives: Take advantage of tax breaks like the 179D and 45L credits to offset costs. Green building is sustainable and profitable. Let’s explore a few case studies in Denver and Fort Collins that demonstrate the economic benefits of green building in Colorado. https://buff.ly/3u0pKnI #GreenBuilding #ColoradoEconomy #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #SmartInvestments 🌱

Downtown streetscapes play an important role in sustainability, economic development, and sense of place. Learn about the connection between Main Streets and transportation and how you can apply for funding to support safer and more sustainable roadways in your community. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e7AjrARC

I've expanded a recent Irish Times feature on building a climate-just city in my Medium climate solutions blog, and added in reference hyperlinks for those who want to go further and if you are interested in knowing more about the research ideas and work do get in touch?. As a follow-up to the research and Irish Times piece I've been invited to speak at the Irish Council for Social Housing conference in Sligo on October 17th, on the theme of #housing for communities over commodities, and will connect that conversation with some of the climate resilient and just, sustainable models we can see working in other European cities, and where energy retrofitting has been prioritised for the poorest and most vulnerable using low-carbon materials. We can learn from collaborations with neighbouring countries and cities, learn from their mistakes as well as their successes, but also shift from a silo-thinking, disjointed approach to connected, coordinated systems-based planning designed to meet the needs of people, places and species. Irish Times feature :  https://lnkd.in/epdt5yQd Access an expanded piece with hyperlinks here: https://lnkd.in/e_RKDTia #Cities #climateAction #Dublin #Ireland #builtEnvironment #Planning #ClimateJustice #ClimateSolutions #IrishTimes #ClimateCommunications #ClimatePolicy #Housing #HousingforAll