Ask the Expert: BLC Special Edition

CAGBC’s Building Lasting Change (BLC) conference is where Canada’s green building sector connects every year to discuss questions that will shape tomorrow’s buildings and practice. Influential decision-makers and leading experts join us every year to accelerate the adoption of buildings that are respectful of the environment and financially viable. In 2024, our focus remains on zero carbon, and we’ve handpicked crucial issues that we are offering in technical and business pathways for delegates to mix and match. Here’s a teaser of BLC’s hot-topics from presenters.

Andrea Yee
Project Director, WSP

You’re speaking at BLC. What point(s) are you looking to drive home?

We are currently experiencing a new era of change for building owners. Each existing building has been and will be embarking on a slightly different journey towards net-zero transformation. For many, this means big changes ahead. As a result, thoughtful early planning is essential. This is especially true for buildings that need to undergo complex modifications while remaining operational.

Early planning is necessary for making informed decisions and assessing the implementation of each retrofit option, considering the cascading effects of each choice down the line. It also helps prevent wrong decisions that could create setbacks later on. At BLC, we will be sharing our lessons learned from the planning to implementation stages; how these affect each other; and where we can work together to make this process better.

What are you most looking forward to?

Over the next 25 years, we have much work to do, and there will undoubtedly be new challenges to overcome. Sharing lessons and learning quickly will help us all navigate this process more smoothly. I look forward to CAGBC’s Building Lasting Change conference, which is an important opportunity for the industry to come together, learn from each other, and collectively build the lasting change we desire—both carefully and quickly.

Samson Tam
Director of Development, Creative Energy

You’re speaking at BLC. What point(s) are you looking to drive home?

We all know that large communities, whether they are new masterplans or existing neighborhoods, need to decarbonize on mass scale. The status quo of decarbonizing buildings one by one is slow, meticulous, and not progressing at a pace that needs to occur to meet our mutual net zero goals and needs to be augmented.

We need to deploy all tools at our disposal, which includes decarbonizing on mass scale through the use of low-carbon district energy systems.

Furthermore, the scarce clean electrical resources must be deployed as efficiently as possible – decoupling thermal loads from the grid through district energy systems allows electrical utilities to reduce peak and capacity demands.

Finally, decarbonization of existing buildings and new net zero projects are facing tremendous challenges due to rising costs and other economic challenges. The lack of capital available requires unique ways to fund these projects. We believe that private energy developers like Creative Energy have a role to play in expediting decarbonization and net zero projects through alternative financing and ownership models. We need to stop thinking about net zero projects as a ‘nice to have’ and a line item cost to projects and start reimagining a normal where net zero presents an opportunity. Sustainability and profit are not mutually exclusive.

What are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to collaborating with likeminded professionals at CAGBC to find creative zero carbon solutions for the built environment. Technical solutions are readily available but the challenge is funding projects and breaching psychological barriers for change. We need to simplify the decarbonization roadmap for owners, operators, and investors to reach their net zero goals.

Max Graham
Chief Performance Officer, Avenue Living Asset Management

You’re speaking at BLC. What point(s) are you looking to drive home?

For me, the most crucial point is that sustainable buildings are no longer just a “nice to have” but are imperative for sustained success. In 2024, we stand at a turning point where the need for action is urgent. To meet Canada’s 2040 climate targets, over 107 commercial buildings must undergo deep energy retrofits daily. By bringing together varying perspectives, we aim to provide a clear blueprint for asset managers looking to implement sustainable changes and show them how to leverage tools to increase asset value, accelerate growth, and decarbonize their portfolios effectively.

What are you most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to the chance to engage in discussions about the value of sustainable retrofits and provide attendees with actionable insights they can apply in their organizations. By blending perspectives from various industries, we can create a comprehensive blueprint for deep energy retrofits to be completed at scale across Canada. Additionally, I’m honoured to share the stage with our partner, Tayber Yastremski, from Sustainable Projects Group, who has been instrumental in Avenue Living’s initiatives. Overall, I’m eager to participate in some lively conversations with fellow presenters and attendees.