• Oct 24, 2023

Knowledge Series: Applying Circular Economy Strategies to Extend the Life of Existing Buildings in Canada

Date/Time: Wednesday, October 24th, 9:30-10:45am PT / 12:30-1:45pm ET (75 minutes)

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Organizers: Circular Economy Leadership Canada and CSA Group

Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC) and CSA Group co-hosted a free public Knowledge Series webinar on applying circular economy strategies to extend the life of existing buildings in Canada, with a specific focus on office buildings. The webinar is taking place on Wednesday, October 24th, 2023 from 9:30am-10:45am Pacific time / 12:30-1:45pm Eastern time.
Event description:

Buildings are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada. In an investment landscape increasingly informed by climate-related risks, many in Canada’s real estate and construction sector are setting climate and net-zero goals as it becomes a mainstream matter of financial viability.

Constructing the most energy-efficient buildings entails significant upfront GHG emissions. Furthermore, as building operations become increasingly lower carbon by design, a greater focus on embodied carbon and extending the life of existing buildings will be important for truly achieving net-zero. Circular economy strategies applied to real estate (including design for flexible use, adaptive reuse, repair, retrofit and upcycling, and other innovative strategies) can help extend the life of buildings and preserve embodied carbon in the process.

This Knowledge Series webinar explored:

What are the circular strategies that can be applied to office buildings / commercial real estate based on a number of examples and case studies;
Why these strategies are important in terms of the environmental, social, and economic benefits; and
How can these strategies be implemented, including making the business case for action.

Scius Advisory (Helen Goodland) and Mantle Developments (Ryan Zizzo) presented on their respective research (here and here), undertaken as part of a joint project for CELC, CSA Group, and a broader set of stakeholders from the construction and real estate sectors, followed by an expert panel from industry who discussed and reflected on the findings. A new Guide for industry on circular strategies for Canada’s real estate sector was highlighted during the webinar (Access the full Guide here).
Session Objectives

1. Learn what circular strategies can be applied to office buildings / commercial real estate based on a number of examples and case studies;

2. Learn why circular strategies applied to existing buildings are important in terms of the environmental, social, and economic benefits;

3. Learn about the life cycle carbon and GHG emission benefits of extending the life of existing buildings through retrofit over demolition and building new; and

4. Learn how circular strategies can be implemented, including making the business case for action.
Co-hosts

Paul Shorthouse, Managing Director, Circular Economy Leadership Canada
Ivica Karas, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Construction and Infrastructure, CSA Group

Speakers

Helen Goodland, Head of Research and Innovation, SCIUS Advisory.
Ryan Zizzo, Founder and CEO, Mantle Developments

Expert Panel

Hazel Sutton, Director of Sustainability and Property Management, JLL
Enlai Hooi, Head of Innovation, Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) Architects
Jolene McLaughlin, VP of Climate & Sustainability, EllisDon