May 19, 2008

Canada Green Building Council plans first-ever national summit

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) will put the focus on cutting building-source emissions of green house gases at its first-ever national summit this summer.

According to the council, buildings represent as much as one third of Canada’s total green house gas (GHG) emissions, so there is no question that this industry has an important role to play in addressing the challenge of climate change.

Founded in 2002, the CaGBC is an industry organization that accelerates the design, construction and operation of high-performance buildings that contribute to more sustainable communities and the emergence of a new economy.

It is leading the charge with a vision to achieve a total reduction in GHG emissions of 50 megatons from buildings by 2015 – one third of Canada’s 2020 goal.

To meet these goals, the CaGBC has launched a multi-year initiative to further evolve the LEED Canada rating system to include more building types — both new and existing.

Developing from a one-time certification system to a life-cycle building performance management tool, this step aims to streamline certification making it easier, faster and more universal.

The key elements of the new rating system, and findings from the first round of testing, will be delivered at the CaGBC’s first national summit: Shifting Into the Mainstream, in Toronto, June 11-12.

During the two-day summit, delegates will learn about the new system’s features and enhancements, all of which are currently being tested in pilot projects.

They are being conducted to establish energy and water standards, determine the requirements for the next generation tool and beta test certification processes.

The first round of pilot projects involve K-12 schools, utilities, government and commercial office buildings.

They will set the precedent for energy and water consumption, estimate conservation potential, and engineer assessments of the most efficient building types.

One of the primary goals of this development initiative is to test the next-generation rating tool with building sectors that are not covered under the current rating system, such as existing buildings.

Launching in early 2009, the new certification system could play a key role in reducing the country’s overall GHG emissions by as much as 50 per cent by 2015. To further promote this new initiative, and to encourage the support of all sectors of society, including government, business and consumers, the summit will demonstrate the benefits of green buildings for owners and managers alike and help achieve collective thinking towards sustainability.

Co-chaired by Alan Greenberg, president, Minto Urban Communities and Michael Brooks, executive director, Real Property Association of Canada (RealPAC), the summit will feature leading green building experts from across the country including keynote speakers Dr. David Suzuki, Ray Anderson, Chairman and CEO, InterfaceFLOR, and Peter Busby, Managing Director, Busby Perkins Will.

To find out more or to register as a delegate or exhibitor, visit www.shiftingintothemainstream.ca

JOC News Service

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