
As the built environment continues to grow and change with our societal needs, the environmental impact of construction projects must be considered to ensure sustainable infrastructure growth. One way to demonstrate a building project’s environmental impact is through certifications, the foremost of which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. In order to…

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are quickly becoming an essential part of the building design and construction processes. In 2024, CarbiCrete and Climate Earth, a leader in construction industry EPDs, developed a site-specific EPD for CarbiCrete’s pilot commercial production of cement-free concrete products at Patio Drummond. Chris Erickson, the CEO of EPD leader Climate Earth, discussed…

A project’s embodied carbon is becoming an increasingly important metric, and choosing products with responsible environmental impacts is now an essential part of the construction process. One way to quantify the reduction of embodied carbon emissions as an architect, engineer, designer, or product manufacturer is through the use of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). EPDs…

It is clear that reducing new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions levels is critical to achieving global net-zero targets and capping global warming at 1.5°C. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that solutions must go beyond emissions reductions and begin to incorporate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) if we truly want to achieve these goals. Without CDR,…

Specifying suitable construction materials is key to developing infrastructure that is resilient to climate events. For both commercial builds, as well as home renovations, permeable solutions like Turfstone and grow-through concrete pavers represent a landscaping solution that is made to last and advantageous in a time of growing climate concern. This lies in their inherent…

In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called for action to reduce global emissions to net-zero by 2050. As we move closer to 2050, and the global net-zero deadline, emissions associated with construction are becoming more important than ever. With global urbanization rates…

To keep up with rising demand for housing and infrastructure, Canada will need approximately 5.8 million new houses by 2030, representing a staggering 40% increase. Building designers face increasing pressure to restrict the GHG emissions associated with their construction projects as federal commitments to emissions reductions accelerate. One way to standardize the reduction of embodied…

To help combat the growing climate crisis, many corporations and individuals are taking action to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This process starts with measuring current emissions and developing a comprehensive baseline, then finding places for improvement and making positive changes. In order to accurately measure GHG emissions and create a practical action plan,…

As one of the most prolific hydroelectric producers in the world, the Canadian province of Quebec is making efforts to stay at the forefront of environmentally-friendly legislation. After the establishment of Quebec’s 2030 Plan for a Green Economy (PGE), the province has continued to promote green practices through policies including enacting the 2024 Bill 41,…

With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year, reducing their impact has become a world-wide priority. The World Green Building Council has called for global commitments in the building sector to reduce operational and embodied carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. A JLL report claims that, in light of…