This article is part of a series calledSix sustainability ideas that have gone mainstream in Canada.Each article explores an innovative sustainability idea that may have seemed radical a decade ago but is now considered a best practice. The series features inspiring ideas and projects being implemented in Canadian cities and towns of all sizes, plus resources to help you implement these solutions in your community.
The solar panel on the roof of this house in Halifax is part of a solar-powered water heating system, which reduces water consumption and lowers energy bills.
Reduce GHG emissions by constructing more energy-efficient homes
The UN estimates that buildings use about 40 per cent of global energy and are responsible for about 33 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, cities need to dramatically improve the efficiency of new and existing buildings to achieve their ambitious climate change targets.
Net-zero energy (NZE) buildings are a key part of the puzzle. They are designed to produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis. To qualify, the energy has to be produced onsite and come from renewable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal.
Net-zero energy construction, financing and education promoted across Canada
Both public and private sector actors are leading the way.For example, the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) Net Zero Energy Housing Council is developing pilot projects, financing, education and an NZE labelling program. Similarly, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund is using an Energy Savings Performance Agreement to retrofit buildings, generate revenue and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments — such as Halifax, NS, Bridgewater, NS, and Toronto, ON — are helping by financing energy retrofits through property taxes and local improvement charges.
Net-zero energy buildings offer better efficiency, comfort and air quality
The key to the success of net-zero energy construction is to combine efficiency, quality and accessibility. For example, the CHBA's net-zero energy homes are 80 per cent more energy efficient than homes built to code and offer other benefits such as improved comfort and indoor air quality. Their long-term goal is to deliver net-zero energy homes at "net-zero cost" by using the monthly energy savings to pay for the additional capital investments needed.
Interested in starting a net-zero energy project in your community?
This series was inspired by "From Crazy to Common Sense: 'Radical' Ideas Whose Time Have Come," a workshop that was held at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' 2016 Sustainable Communities Conference.
Move ideas to reality: Get funding and free resources from FCM's Green Municipal Fund
Subscribe to email updates and get the resources, training, networking opportunities and funding you need from FCM's Green Municipal Fund to implement these sustainability ideas in your community.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
The Town of Ladysmith commissioned three studies of contamination at a former industrial site on its waterfront, to review options for remediation.
A geotechnical study looked at subsurface soil and groundwater conditions. It found extensive coal waste that was at risk of becoming liquid and destabilizing the ground during a seismic event. The study made recommendations for ground improvement to mitigate the seismic hazard and erosion caused by ocean wave action.
An environmental site investigation and a marine sediment study assessed the soil and groundwater. It found contaminants including oils, fuels and contaminants associated with coal waste, rail yards and shipping.
The town is considering an application from a private developer to remediate and redevelop the site, and has agreed to involve the Stz'uminus First Nation as a partner in any redevelopment.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
24 acres of municipal land and 68 acres of provincial Crown land remediated
Contaminated marine sediment cleaned up
Ladysmith Harbour ecology improved
One-time return from sale of municipal land and flows of property tax revenues
Local economy revitalized by redevelopment
Shellfish industry revitalized by harbour remediation
MOU to collaborate with Stz'uminus First Nation in redevelopment
Potential to highlight First Nations culture as a feature of redeveloped area
Community revitalization through mixed-use development
Challenges
Both the province and the town had many other projects underway at the time, reducing capacity for the study.
The town had to make an application for additional drilling to determine the extent of the contamination.
The involvement of three jurisdictions (the municipality, the province and the First Nation) complicated the process.
The area was inhabited at the time of the study.
Lessons learned
Meet regularly and communicate well with partners.
When multiple jurisdictions are involved, partnership is the key to success: everyone has a piece of the puzzle.
Reach out to provincial agencies until the right partner (the department best equipped to move the project through regulatory processes) is found.
Make sure the community understands what is happening at the site - the what, why and how of the research.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
As part of a plan to build a University of Waterloo satellite campus next to its downtown core, the City of Stratford completed a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and Remedial Action Plan for the Cooper Site, a 7-hectare former industrial site. The research team sampled soil and groundwater to determine the level of contamination at the site-particularly metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They did a risk assessment for several development scenarios, examining potential off-site impacts and liability. They also explored options for remediation.
The study identified contaminants in the soil and fill materials but showed that the migration of contaminants in groundwater was not as significant as expected, therefore large-scale groundwater remediation was not needed.
To remediate the area proposed for the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, the city processed and re-used the majority of the contaminated material and soil as a railway screening berm elsewhere on the property (a more cost-effective and practical solution than transporting it all to landfill). The University of Waterloo built the first phase of its Stratford Campus on the remediated portion of the land and opened the campus in October 2012.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
Contaminated soil removed from Block 1 of the site
The majority of contaminated soil re-used as railway screening berm instead of sending to landfill
Digital focus of new University of Waterloo campus part of Stratford's economic diversification strategy
8 additional acres set aside for further university expansion
Thorough understanding of site contamination, in anticipation of further redevelopment
Abandoned brownfield converted into thriving centre of learning
New public parking available for downtown businesses and residents
Site falls within Stratford's Community Improvement Plan, which aims to upgrade downtown core
Challenges
The original timeline for the study had to be extended because of legal and logistical issues related to materials stored on the site, building conditions and complex environmental factors.
Halfway through the study, the province amended Environmental Protection Act regulations relating to the assessment and remediation of brownfield properties, requiring some adaptation.
The number of boreholes, monitoring wells, and soil and groundwater samples required were estimated for each step of the project; however the actual amounts and types changed considerably as the investigation progressed and more detailed information came to light.
Lessons learned
Communicate results on a regular basis, allowing sufficient time for all parties to review reports.
Map out each potential step in the study clearly and remain flexible as results are obtained, because each set of results may determine the next steps required.
Inform and consult with the public and stakeholders, and allow sufficient time in the project schedule to address issues of concern (such as heritage issues).
Identify and plan for potential deviations from the project scope and schedule (such as regulatory changes, legal issues and technical requirements).
Ron Shaw
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) City of Stratford
Province of Ontario
T. 519-271-0250, ext. 233
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
Feasibility Study for a Green Thermal Utility (GTU) District Heating and Cooling Loop in Downtown Saint John
The City of Saint John studied the feasibility of a district energy system to serve buildings in the downtown area. These systems distribute thermal energy from a central facility to heat and cool multiple buildings.
Saint John's study examined various energy options including raw sewage heat recovery from the nearby waste water treatment plant and energy recovery from Saint John Harbour seawater and industrial waste. In the end, the recommended approach was to use waste energy from the nearby Irving pulp and paper mill. Initially, 15 buildings would be connected. The district energy system would reduce energy costs, greenhouse-gas emissions and the city's fossil-fuel dependency. It would also encourage the development of green buildings in the heart of the city.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
GHG emissions reduced by 9,500 tonnes per year
Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
Annual energy savings of $2.2 million
Six full-time operations jobs and 200 construction jobs
Green development revitalizes the downtown core
Building residents enjoy the lack of boilers, furnaces and other equipment
Challenges
The lack of a project champion in city government and limited city staffing capacity to oversee the study.
Limited understanding of the potential of a district energy system among property managers and owners.
Financial constraints at the city, which put the district energy system project on hold in 2011.
Lessons learned
Visit district energy sites in other municipalities and consult with managers, designers and developers to clearly understand the potential of these systems.
Develop a master community energy plan to list local energy sources, buildings and future infrastructure projects before undertaking this kind of study.
Consult early and often with the public and local developers and property managers throughout the project.
Samir Yammine
Energy Manager
City of Saint John, NB
T. 506-648-4667
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
The Town of Ladysmith developed a Sustainable Action Plan that provides the framework for sustainable prosperity throughout the 21st century. Adopting the plan is an important step toward achieving the Town's Sustainability Vision, which it developed in 2008-2009.
The plan focuses on five broad goals: a prosperous green economy, a healthy community, a flourishing natural environment, a compact built environment, and smart, transparent governance.
The plan covers a comprehensive set of community issues: land use, transportation, green buildings, multi-use landscapes, infrastructure, community health, economic diversity, and a local food system. Specific goals and targets include reducing GHG emissions, cutting fossil fuel consumption, and improving wastewater treatment and solid waste management.
Ladysmith's Town Council and staff will use the Sustainability Action Plan to set priorities, guide decision-making about future projects and actions, monitor performance, and report annually on outcomes.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
Reduce GHG and other emissions
Replace fossil fuel consumption with renewables
Reduce potable water use and manage wastewater efficiently
Reduce or eliminate waste
Protect and enhance ecosystems and biodiversity
Increase consumption of locally produced and processed food
Provide stable, diverse and prosperous local economic opportunities
Increase diversity of land use to enhance community's self-reliance
Increase population density to support transit and business development
Enhance town's pedestrian orientation
Create a healthy community with a healthy population
Challenges
Stability of personnel: Over the course of the project there were two changes of lead consultant.
Lessons learned
Set a short time frame and be prepared to make adjustments.
Build on existing plans. Move towards recognizable goals, but don't expect the plan to be perfect.
Include many stakeholders. The process revealed what other stakeholders were doing and produced several valuable spinoff projects.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
To revive a downtown drained of stores and shoppers by malls on the highway that has skirted the community since 1990, the district of West Kelowna drafted a 25-year plan to remake the central Westbank Centre neighbourhood as a pedestrian-friendly place to live, work and play.
The plan grew out of a series of public meetings and calls for a mix of higher density housing, niche retail stores, sidewalk cafes and a farmers' market. It would limit traffic through downtown while encouraging transit use and create cycling paths linking the area to trails around Okanagan Lake and the Glen Canyon Regional Park. It urges governments to locate a library and a health-care centre in the neighbourhood.
As a first step, council approved $250,000 for benches, planters, lights and other Westbank Centre street improvements.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
Reduces sprawl with higher density and infill housing downtown
Reduces GHG emissions by reducing the number of cars and promoting transit, cycling and walking
Expands downtown economic base with niche retail shops that complement big-box mall stores
Creates customers for local business with higher density housing
Improves quality of life in a compact neighbourhood that combines housing, shopping and recreation
Eases access to health, library and other services
Challenges
Allocating staff to the project in competition with other planning exercises.
Finding time to consider feasibility of final recommendations.
Producing an illustrated brochure free of planning jargon to promote the plan to merchants and developers.
Lessons learned
Involve staff from all departments to ensure that project recommendations support other civic plans and priorities.
Events combining multiple planning exercises attract wider public participation and make more efficient use of staff.
Digital modeling makes complex traffic-change proposals easier to comprehend.
Nancy Henderson
Director of Development Services
District of West Kelowna, BC
T. 778-797-8833
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
Eager to showcase green technologies and save on electrical costs, Toronto's Exhibition Place replaced 50 high-pressure sodium lampposts along a pedestrian walkway with light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The LED lights have motion detectors and brighten from a low default setting when someone is using the path.
A few new high-pressure sodium fixtures were installed for comparison. Over the test period, the LED lights used 77 per cent less energy than the sodium lights. They also had excellent light levels and uniformity of light.
While the old lights needed replacing every few years, the LED lights are expected to last 15 years. Their performance is being monitored. The city is considering converting all outdoor lights at Exhibition Place and all pathway lights in its parks to LED systems.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
77% reduction in energy use compared with high-pressure sodium lights
70% of the time, the lights were on the default low setting, using only 10 watts
New LED fixtures are projected to reduce maintenance costs by 85%
Combined with energy savings, this will lead to an attractive payback period of nine years
The LED lights emit a pleasing white light
With their motion sensors, they reduce light pollution
Challenges
Extra time was needed to consult on the design of the fixtures.
The depreciation in the amount of light emitted by the LED lights over eight months was higher than expected, at 14.4 per cent.
The true financial benefit of the LED lights will not be known until their lifespan is established.
Lessons learned
Ensure all partners are aware of new regulations and requirements for energy-efficient projects.
Involve all commissioning and energy consultants in preliminary stages to ensure the design meets the requirements.
Use a standardized protocol, like the one developed by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, to assess the lights so data can be directly compared with other projects.
Dianne Young
Board of Governors of Exhibition Place
City of Toronto, ON
T. 416-263-3611
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
To increase the efficiency of its water treatment process and reduce the use of chemicals, the City of Thunder Bay studied different methods for cleaning filtration membranes at its Bare Point Drinking Water Treatment Plant. After examining membrane foulants (the elements being filtered out of the water) and testing innovative cleaning strategies, the researchers concluded that soaking the membranes while using lower concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (the primary cleaning chemical used to clean membranes) works better and slows membrane deterioration, compared to chemical treatment at higher concentrations. Additional optimizations of the cleaning process included changing the acid used for pH suppression and conducting the two chemical cleaning processes back to back (rather than putting the membranes back in use between the stages of cleaning). The study also included a promising trial of bifunctional electrode technology (using electricity and UV light to remove organic contaminants) which would dramatically reduce the energy requirement for water treatment and help eliminate chemicals from the process. After initially reducing the sodium hypochlorite used in the membrane-cleaning process by 40 per cent, the city eliminated its use completely in October 2014.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
40% reduction in use of sodium hypochlorite to clean membranes
40% reduction in use of calcium thiosulphite to neutralize chlorine created in cleaning process
50% less energy used by cleaning system pumps, reducing GHG emissions
$95,000 reduction in annual capital expenditures
2% reduction in energy costs and 10% reduction in chemical costs through optimization of membrane cleaning
5% reduction in membrane costs with membrane life span extended by 2-4 years
Training of highly qualified personnel for employment in wastewater treatment sector
Healthier drinking water, with fewer chemicals used for processing
Contributed to city winning three sustainability awards in 2012
Challenges
During the winter, the temperature of water entering the plant is lower than the manufacturer-recommended limit for the membranes.
Water temperature fluctuations throughout the course of the study resulted in an extreme range of data, creating a need for a follow-up study using temperature-controlled water.
The plant and Lakehead University are separated geographically, without easy access by bus, adding travel time for student researchers. The university had to put the data into electronic format so that it could be accessed over the Internet.
Lessons learned
Explore the general correlations between membrane fouling and feed water characteristics such as total organic carbon, particle counts, turbidity, pH and temperature.
Explore the effect of varying cleaning parameters on membrane life span and operational cost.
Research options for optimizing the cleaning efficiency of the backwash process.
Install a temperature control instrument in the pilot plant to eliminate fluctuations in temperature that may affect the properties of membranes and the fouling potential of various organic and inorganic constituents.
Research the impact of seasonal changes on membrane fouling and performance.
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
To make this northern Manitoba mining community a healthier, more sustainable, and recreation-rich place to live, the City of Thompson adopted a plan to enhance the wintertime appeal of its parks.
Summer baseball diamonds and soccer fields will give way to new skating areas next to outdoor hockey rinks; cross-country ski loops and snowmobile trails will be extended; and the city will maintain its network of parkland walkways in winter months.
The parks initiative complements a wider city sustainable-growth plan that will see more high-density downtown housing, increased commercial diversity to reduce economic reliance on mining, infrastructure repairs, and greater protection of the fragile northern natural environment.
Results
Environmental
Economic
Social
Maintaining green corridors and natural areas in the city
Reduced urban sprawl thanks to high-density downtown housing
Efforts to attract new commercial and industrial development
Potential cuts in residential taxes from increased business activity
Greater year-round use of parks and pen spaces
More facilities for skating, skiing, snowmobiling and walking
Challenges
Balancing demand for new houses in suburbs with more environmentally sound high-density housing downtown.
Attracting new commerce and industry to reduce reliance on mining.
Setting appropriate usage policies for different types of recreational space.
Lessons learned
Define what the community wants from the process before hiring a consultant to lead it.
Create a detailed public-engagement strategy that goes beyond Facebook, blogging and other social media.
To forestall fear of change, clearly explain what is meant by sustainable growth.
Gary Ceppetelli
City Manager
City of Thompson, MN
T. 204-677-7922
Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada.
At different stages of your project, you will need various types of expertise to help you to plan, assess, remediate or manage the risk associated with a brownfield site.
Environmental consultant with site assessment, risk assessment and remediation/risk management experience
Engineers, geoscientists
Well drillers
Remediation technology provider
Analytical laboratories
Remediation and risk management
Complete building demolition and remove waste.
Remediate site or implement risk management strategies.
Receive confirmation of compliance/contaminated site closure.
Demolition company
Waste hauler
Consultants
Remediation technology provider
Environmental consultant with remediation/risk management experience
Analytical laboratories
Directories
There are many sources that can help you find the expertise you need. These lists are not comprehensive and are provided as examples only. We will update them from time to time with new registries.
Provincial and territorial governments
Province or territory
Requirements
Registry
British Columbia
The Ministry Procedures for the Roster of Approved Professionals require specific contaminated site activities to be undertaken by approved professionals.
The Records of Site Condition Regulation (O.Reg 153/04) require specific types of contaminated site activities to be performed by a qualified person.
No online registry
Quebec
The Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Rehabilitation Policy requires expert certification to confirm site characterization documentation.
No online registry
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Site Professional Qualifications require specific types of contaminated site activities to be performed by a site professional.
No online registry
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Guidance Document for the Management of Impacted Sites requires some types of contaminated site activities to be performed by a site professional.
No online registry
Nova Scotia
The Guidelines for Management of Contaminated Sites in Nova Scotia require specific types of contaminated site activities to be performed by an environmental site professional.
The Environmental Guideline for Contaminated Site Remediation defines the requirements for and the activities that must be performed by a qualified person.
