Vereco Consulting & Design’s Post

A recent study identifies the most-needed upgrades in buildings to be LED lighting, triple-glazed windows, roof #insulation, high-efficiency ventilation systems, as well as computer control systems that reduce heating and cooling when rooms are not in use. These upgrades require major structural changes and are why most building owners are conducting feasibility studies and putting refits into their 10-year plans. #buildings #building #construction #facilities #management BOMA Canada BOMA Manitoba #realestate #leasing Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) Canadian Construction Association - Association canadienne de la construction British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) VRCA - Vancouver Regional Construction Association Manitoba Construction Sector Council Alberta Construction Association Saskatchewan Construction Association CAGBC | Canada Green Building Council Delphi Engineering Group Fiera Real Estate Tonya Lagrasta Colliers Project Leaders | Canada

City of Vancouver has become the first Canadian jurisdiction to enforce limits on #building emissions. A new bylaw requires owners of large #commercial offices and retail buildings to report their emissions will be in effect June 1. The Annual Greenhouse #Gas and #Energy Limits bylaw will be a first-of-its-kind in Canada with the goal to reduce big building emissions to 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. #construction #buildings #steel #metal #efficiency #HVAC #utilities British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) VRCA - Vancouver Regional Construction Association Business Council of British Columbia West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Greater Vancouver Chamber North Vancouver Chamber Canadian Federation of Independent Business Engineers and Geoscientists BC Consulting Engineers of British Columbia Engineers Canada

This week's Energy Efficiency Day at the European Parliament & Sustainable Construction Talks in Brussels underscored the critical role of sustainable building practices in the EU's future. The urgency of ambitious action over the next 5 years was a resounding theme. Seán Kelly MEP, rapporteur on the revised EPBD, rightly highlighted buildings' centrality to the EU's green transition, emphasizing the dual benefit of increased renovation rates: significant energy savings & vital local job creation. MEP Jutta Paulus's focus on addressing energy poverty within this context was equally crucial. Similarly, Benoit BAZIN of Saint-Gobain stressed the need for swift implementation of the revised EPBD, emphasizing the construction sector's need for innovation at scale & speed, leveraging readily available efficient technologies. Discussions highlighted essential policy levers for affordable sustainable housing & innovative financial instruments to accelerate building stock transformation. The consensus? Concrete action—rapid policy implementation, supportive financial mechanisms, & sustained political commitment—is vital for achieving meaningful progress in energy efficiency & sustainable construction, tackling energy poverty, & creating green jobs. These events provided a vital platform for collaboration, charting a clear path towards a more sustainable & energy-efficient built environment across Europe. #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableConstruction #EUGreenDeal #EPBD #EnergyPoverty #GreenJobs

This week a few hundred leaders from across Canada gathered in Ottawa as part of the Building Decarbonization Alliance's effort to drive the market shift to zero emission buildings. As a development company focused largely on new buildings, I was happy to represent Northcrest Developments on a panel with Mike Moffatt, PhD, Tim Weber and Steven Pacifico discussing how to deliver Canada's much needed housing supply, affordably, and aligned with our climate obligations. Some highlights of my thoughts. 1- You can't just focus on operational carbon of buildings, we need to think about upfront emissions of construction and transportation emissions as one big integrated problem. Similarly you can't just focus on affordable housing without thinking about total cost of living and sustainable municipal finances. While there is no magic bullet, the first step that helps you achieve all these things is efficient land-use planning and cutting waste wherever possible. From building form, to streets, to infrastructure, compact design, optimized and right-sized for the needs of the people in the community saves money and carbon upfront and forever. 2- Developers need to focus on low-carbon thermal energy and governments need to focus on a low-carbon electrical grid. Heating space and water is where most building emissions come from and there are many choices available to developers to choose cleaner fuels and more efficient heating and cooling equipment, and monitor and manage energy consumption. But electricity will underpin the low-carbon transition and we need a clean a reliable grid. Uncertainty over future grid emissions makes design decisions harder, and presents a real risk for building owners in jurisdictions proposing building performance standards that may include scope 2 electrical emissions (like Toronto and Vancouver). 3- I'm hearing concerns that low-carbon and affordability are mutually exclusive - green buildings cost too much. Our experience is that low-carbon buildings don't have to be more expensive with good design, but do usually mean a trade-off of higher up front costs for infrastructure and construction vs. lower opex and future risk. The problem isn't that the investment can't pay back, but rather that it's harder for developers to recoup that investment in the market as currently structured. We need to fund the green premium, ensure the upfront capital doesn't push up the rent cost or sales price, and recoup the investment over time as savings are realized. With well structured public and private investment tools we can keep prices affordable, monthly costs low, and still generate the necessary return on investment.

Our latest BCG article explores the significant impact of green building regulations on the French construction industry. As France enforces stringent measures to curtail CO2 emissions from buildings, the industry confronts both challenges and opportunities. These regulations are transforming construction practices by mandating the use of more energy-efficient materials and equipment. While this shift has increased costs, it has also sparked innovation in sustainable building solutions. Most importantly, this transition is setting a precedent that could influence other countries, highlighting the critical need to proactively adapt to regulatory changes. Dive into our in-depth article for a comprehensive analysis of how these regulations are steering the French construction sector towards a more sustainable future. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/di9RShCp #GreenBuilding #SustainableConstruction #France

Another informative article from the Big Green Build series showcases powerful examples of what's achievable when sustainability and long-term vision intersect. Thrilled to see a new generation of developers and architects transforming our built environment and leading the way with net-zero and green retrofit designs. They're proving that a cleaner, more profitable blueprint is not just possible but essential.   UnitiWall is proud to be part of this movement with our innovative solutions for both new buildings and retrofitting. Canada’s private sector has a critical role in driving this transformation by promoting, adopting, and investing in green buildings.   More than just meeting targets, it’s crucial to rethink how we construct, invest, and sustain our communities for generations to come.   Let’s keep pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and embracing the opportunity to create better and more sustainable environments through innovation and collaboration. https://lnkd.in/dJ5xtCGt #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #NetZero #ConstructionInnovation #BigGreenBuild  

The time to act is now! This informative article highlights the huge opportunity for Canada’s building sector to decarbonize at a massive scale. We need to focus on larger buildings first and think long-term, understanding that payback will happen. It’s not just about reducing emissions but also promoting economic development. The long-term benefits and savings will be significant.   As a manufacturer of high-performance prefabricated wall systems, we’re proud to offer an innovative solution to meet the future-ready needs of the built environment and help contribute to a sustainable and resilient construction industry. Immediate steps must be taken to address climate change and decarbonize the building sector. “We cannot keep shifting the transition into the future”.   https://lnkd.in/eX-mA2yU #decarbonizebuiltenvironment #sustainableconstruction

Our latest BCG article explores the significant impact of green building regulations on the French construction industry. As France enforces stringent measures to curtail CO2 emissions from buildings, the industry confronts both challenges and opportunities. These regulations are transforming construction practices by mandating the use of more energy-efficient materials and equipment. While this shift has increased costs, it has also sparked innovation in sustainable building solutions. Most importantly, this transition is setting a precedent that could influence other countries, highlighting the critical need to proactively adapt to regulatory changes. Dive into our in-depth article for a comprehensive analysis of how these regulations are steering the French construction sector towards a more sustainable future. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eBCDs4u9 #GreenBuilding #SustainableConstruction #France

Learn to build better! 80% grants for Irish construction professionals seeking to upskill in #sustainablebuilding and #retrofitting. DASBE is running a number of grant-funded short courses from January on subjects related to energy efficiency, heat pumps, the circular economy and digital skills for sustainable building. https://lnkd.in/eBjnPECT...

The UK construction industry faces a critical challenge: Achieving a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and halving new building energy use by 2030. These aren't just goals, they're necessities! Climate change demands immediate action, and the construction sector is a major contributor to emissions. The UK construction industry has a legally binding target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Interim targets include a 78% reduction in emissions by 2035 compared to 1990. However, recent reports suggest the industry is not currently on track to meet these targets. What is your business doing to contribute? Investing in sustainability isn't just good for the planet, it's good for your business. Here's why... • Client Demand: The growing demand for eco-friendly buildings from businesses and homeowners. • Cost Savings: Sustainable practices can lead to significant cost reductions in energy bills and waste management. • Futureproofing: Companies that embrace sustainability now will be better positioned to meet stricter regulations in the future. So, while there isn't a mandatory legal requirement yet, the industry is moving towards a future where sustainability will be essential for construction companies to succeed. The time to act is NOW, and we can help! DM us to find out how. #SustainableConstruction #ConstructionLeaders #BiodiversityUK