Environmental Challenges and Opportunities in North America’s

Built Environment Martin Adelaar

Marbek Resource ConsultantsCanada

North America 2030-Commission for Environmental CooperationJune 25, 2008

About this Presentation

Environmental Impact of the Built Environment

Deep Green Scenario for Energy Performance and GHG Reduction

Public Policy Implications: Challenges and Solutions

Acknowledgements

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Odon de Buen Stephen Selkowitz and LBL Athena Sustainable Materials Institute Jane Thompson-architect Marbek staff

Elements of the Built Environment

Dwellings Neighbourhood Infrastructure

Neighbourhoods

Residential TransportationOuter suburbsInner suburbsInner city

5

End-of-Life

Maintenance & Replacement

Operating (Direct & Indirect)

On-site Construction

Extraction &Manufacturing

Resource Use +

Emissions & Pollutants

=Environmental

Impacts

Life-cycle of the Built Environment

Snapshot of the North American Buildings Sector

North America buildings sector: 36% of total CO2 emissions and 9% of global emissions.

Bldgs account for 25% to 40% of energy use and roughly similar range for GHG emissions.

Impact of the Built Environment

It’s about:• Where we locate (live, work)

• What we live and work in

• How we live and work.

Operating stage dominates most categories of environmental impacts.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

Extract& Mfring

On-SiteConstr.

IndirectOper.

DirectOper.

Maint. &Repl.

GH

G E

mis

sio

ns

[MtC

O2e

]

Dwellings Road, Water & Wastewater Infra. Res. Transp.

Outer suburb dwelling = 1.5-2.0x impacts

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Total Primary Fuel Use

Total Water Use

Total Solid Resource

Use

Outer Suburbs Inner Suburbs Inner City

Going Deep Green

The AIA-RAIC 2030 Challenge as the target Established a schedule leading to

• a carbon neutral end-state for newly constructed buildings in 2030

• substantial carbon reductions in existing buildings Target would be met by a combination of

energy performance improvements in buildings and the supply of zero carbon energy to address remaining demand.

Total GHG Emissions by Milestone Year (North America)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

MT

CO

2

BAU Deep Green AIA

Total GHG Reductions by Milestone Year and Scenario

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

AIA DeepGreen

AIA DeepGreen

AIA DeepGreen

AIA DeepGreen

AIA DeepGreen

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

MT

CO

2 USA

Mexico

Canada

Residential Example

• Location: Toronto, ON• Upgraded insulation, windows and• Energy Star® appliances• More efficient hot water and wastewater

heat recovery• Renewable solar PV power• Focus on reuse and conservation of

existing resources• Reduction of almost 6 tonnes of GHG

emissions a year, with estimated annual energy savings of $989.87

Residential Example

• Location: Red Deer, AB• Tailored to the local climate• Efficient and water-resistant building

envelope• Improved indoor air quality• Advanced HRV system• Responsible use and recycling of

resources• Highly adaptable design accommodates

full life cycle of the home

Commercial Building Example

Water-conserving fixtures and controls

Re-use of existing structures and materials, use of local and recycled materials

Operable windows used throughout to promote natural ventilation

Low toxicity interior materials

Passive solar design

Adaptive and flexible design Modular HVAC and Lighting

systems Occupancy and daylight

sensors control ventilation and lighting.

Low-rise Apartment Example:Net-Zero Energy Triplex

Name: Abondance MontréalType: TriplexLocation: Verdun, QC, Canada

Features:

• Produces more energy than it consumes annually

• GeoExchange heat pump, solar thermal vacuum tubes, greywater heat recovery and 84 solar PV panels

• Climate- and site-specific layout and design• Improved indoor air quality and moisture

control• Cutting-edge features and amenities

Energy Management

Source: Natural Resources Canada – Dollars to $ense Workshop

Looking Ahead-Can We Get There?

“Without goal setting and clear accountability, progress is left to serendipity”

So, establish strategic objectives to be assessed on five year cycles.

Strategic Policy Objectives

Create the conditions from which significant performance improvement and behaviour change will occur and be sustained.

Meet the AIA-REIC Target

Tactical Attribute Objectives

No Lost Opportunities Aggressive Efficiency and Renewables Resilient-flexible- modular systems Closed loop Low impact material choice & sourcing,

design & construction

Navigate Across Zones of Potential

Technical Potential

Economic Potential

Achievable Potential

Technical Potential

Economic Potential

Achievable Potential

Technical Potential

Economic Potential

Achievable Potential

Ultimately A One-System Approach

Challenges and Solutions

Valuation: • Green is undervalued; brown is over-valued

• Support the Valuation Accord

• Assess and document energy and non-energy benefits

• Fiscal incentives & disincentives.

Challenges and Solutions

Governance and Accountability• Regulations: “performance floors”; boundaries

for Livable/Sustainable Communities; renewable portfolio stnds

• Address local government inertia and governance barriers

• Lead by Example (e.g., green procurement; full-cost accounting).

Challenges and Solutions

Transactional Infrastructure• Valuation tools/techniques

• Standardize measurement and verification

• Standard language for RFPs, green leases etc

• Standard energy/environment assessment (audit) methods

Challenges and Solutions

Skilled labour• Develop/advance/standardize curricula

• Incent mentoring and hiring

• Training standards/certification for building operators