Sustainability Now

The impact of climate change has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. Federal and Provincial governments have implemented rebates and taxes, to incentivize industry and citizens to do their part to address climate change. Most companies in North America have implemented strategies and targets to mitigate their impact on the environment. Companies express these efforts in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policies and reporting. Nowhere is this movement more profound than the construction industry. Topics include: Manufacturer’s…

This year, like many others, was my first time attending the Low Carbon Home Builders Coalition. It was a great opportunity to network with other professionals such as Builders, Manufacturers, Contractors, City Officials, and many other industry stakeholders who share the vision of creating sustainable and affordable housing for our province. There were many great speakers at this event talking about Codes, Carbon, and the future of our housing. Furthermore, highlighting an important topic that was discussed is Combination Hybrid…

Here are some ideas that Paul Lowes would like you to examine when it comes to the future of residential home building. The impact of climate change has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored. Federal and Provincial governments have implemented rebates and taxes, to incentivize industry and citizens to do their part to address climate change. Most companies in North America have implemented strategies and targets to mitigate their impact on the environment. Companies express these…

Building a Sustainable Housing Industry   Affordability, or the lack thereof, has been front of mind for a long time.  Our industry has been screaming it from the rooftops for many years.  We’ve seen the tsunami coming, and the current Ontario government has finally decided to make some welcomed changes with Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.  Increasing supply will help with affordability.   One factor limiting the supply of new homes is a shortage of skilled labour…

  Introducing the Low Carbon Home Builder’s Coalition   Here’s a question worth asking. In Ontario, we have a surplus of off-peak electricity and challenges with fresh water supply and waste treatment capacity. What could be the best way to manage our energy and water needs and reduce CO2 emissions? For the answer, let’s look to the Low Carbon Home Builder Coalition (LCHC). The idea behind the LCHC is to annually benchmark as many homes as possible to see how…

What makes good leadership? We know that poor leadership usually consists of simplistic thinking or fundamentalism. In contrast, balancing pros and cons — and preserving balance and choice — is key to effective leadership. In training sessions, I usually ask the participants “yes” or “no” questions — but I rarely get commitment to either response. Maybe people are afraid of suffering the disapproval of the group. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing the answer, but asking yourself the question is…