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When we’re in this mode of conversation about climate change … we tend to talk about these long-term objectives: net zero by 2050, half our emissions by 2030, 100% renewable by 2030. But we are not in 2050; we are in 2021. And we can achieve a great many things here.

Across the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, there’s a new type of carbon to worry about. It’s not just pollution coming “from the tailpipe”, but all the energy that goes into making, transporting, installing and, crucially, disposing of the materials and equipment of buildings. We call this embodied carbon.

By embedding sustainability metrics and climate action within our business ecosystem, our urban economy has become increasingly competitive and resilient. The number of green jobs in Vancouver grew by almost 90 percent over the past 10 years, and the number of businesses greening their operations quadrupled. The takeaway: going green has been good for business, innovation and the economy.

Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Vancouver, and one of the largest in the region. Retrofitting them is a clear economic, climate, and health priority. The general direction is clear: levels of carbon pollution must go down in an orderly way towards 2050, beginning with our largest commercial buildings in the region, and equipment and envelope efficiency must rise.

In a just circular economy of food, there is no wasted food, and every person has access to healthy, nutritious meals. It's a daunting but achievable vision -- with the right action plan. Stay tuned for the upcoming publication “A Right to Food Framework for Tackling Food Waste and Achieving a Just Circular Economy.”

Retrofits are all the rage these days. From talk of climate action-oriented COVID-19 recovery strategies, to the recognition that many of our older buildings are ill-adapted to current conditions, the problem of retrofits occupies the minds of many a business leader and policymaker.

Canadians love wood – and that’s especially true for those here in Vancouver. Mass timber, arguably the darling of government and many designers these days, is often thought of as a single material or product. However, this overlooks the larger world of prefabricated and modular approaches proliferating across the construction industry...

More than half of Earth’s oxygen is produced in the ocean; carbon dioxide is absorbed here as well, wherever air meets water. Three billion people rely on the ocean for their livelihoods, with ocean-based industries like tourism and fisheries key sources of income. Meet a few BC-based companies working to restore and steward the health of our planet's lifeblood.

In this guest article written by Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight, talks about why it’s time to move beyond “business as usual” to address urgent climate challenges. Instead, Jeanette argues the best ways to accelerate innovation is through challenge programs that match needs with solutions.

We caught up with Ian McAvoy, co-founder and CEO, to learn what attracted Volterra Technologies to Project Greenlight.

This technical paper reviews best practices of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) programs throughout the US and how they are being leveraged to address resilience challenges in the built environment.

The VEC is seeking a multi-disciplinary consulting team to undertake research, consultation, and strategy development to create a process for attracting more high-performance heat pump manufacturers to do business in British Columbia.

Climate policy – specifically policies focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in buildings – are driving some of the largest changes in the construction industry today. Speakers from Bold Construction and Ledcor join City of Vancouver and BC Building Standards and Safety Branch representatives to discuss major regulatory moves coming from local governments in Metro Vancouver in the next few years, while industry leaders will discuss successes and lessons learned in developing high-performance buildings.

Presented by the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC), Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), and the Zero Emissions Building Exchange (ZEBx), this series guides attendees through best practices, new building policies and business growth opportunities to help construction businesses hone and maintain their competitive edges in a transforming industry.

We caught up with Mark Warren, director of business innovation at FortisBC, to learn more about the organization’s involvement with Project Greenlight.

Yesterday, the British High Commission and Canada Climate Law Initiative recognized VEC Director Bryan Buggey as one of 26 Canadian Climate Champions working towards building a net-zero future.

In recent years, Vancouver construction businesses have shown incredible leadership and innovation, particularly as we move towards net-zero emissions and the more widespread use of mass timber, but threats and challenges – such as an ageing workforce – remain.

While the task of reversing climate change seems monumental, change is already happening at the city level.

The VEC in partnership with City of Vancouver is seeking a multi-disciplinary consulting team to conduct a circular economic study of the food sector in the greater Vancouver region.