(Originally published in the May 2012 issue of the Nova Scotia Business Journal - "Going Green: New Era in Building" special advertising feature)
BuildGreen Atlantic is coming!
Green building industry leaders will gather in Dartmouth for the 5th annual conference on May 31 and June 1. BuildGreen Atlantic (www.build greenatlantic.org) is presented by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) Atlantic Chapter in partnership with the NSCC Centre for the Built Environment.
“We know that more efficient buildings make economic sense, and this year’s conference will address the growing interest in green buildings in Atlantic Canada and the business case for green buildings,” says John Crace, chair of the CaGBC Atlantic Chapter board. “Buildings represent 30 per cent of our energy use in Canada and impact employee health and productivity in significant ways.”
Conference keynote author and environmentalist Silver Donald Cameron will present a broad view of the ties between green buildings and other energy efficient and sustainable practices in the opening session called “Green Building; Green Living” on May 31.
Andrew Bowerbank, a Canadian leader in the green building sector, will kick off the June 1 conference and trade show day with a talk entitled “Leadership Collaboration for a Low-Carbon Economy: Working Together for Economic & Environmental Success”. Bowerbank was the founding executive director of the World Green Building Secretariat and continues to work on policy development with municipal, provincial and federal partners.
CaGBC Atlantic says making green pay is a hot topic these days. Studies have shown that organizations with green offices have an easier time recruiting and retaining employees. An emphasis on healthy workplaces, with natural daylight and fresh air, can reduce sick days and improve employee productivity. Other bottom line savings include reduced energy and water costs, higher tenancy rates, and lower operating costs.
About CaGBC Atlantic and LEED
The mission of the Atlantic Chapter of the CaGBC is to advance environmentally responsible design, construction and operation of the built world by serving the community through industry collaboration and education. The Atlantic Chapter currently represents over 230 industry professionals from architects and designers to manufacturer’s agents in the four provinces.
The CaGBC administers LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a rating system that grades project sustainability based on credits awarded for water conservation, energy efficiency and environmental quality, among other things. The more credits, the higher the rating, which goes from basic certification up to Silver, Gold and Platinum.
In Nova Scotia there are 123 LEED candidate projects in development including the Halifax Farmer’s Market as well as the redevelopment of the Nova Scotia Power station on the waterfront into that organization’s new corporate headquarters. Since LEED was introduced in Canada, six projects in Nova Scotia have received certification. They include: NSCC Waterfront Campus, CFB Halifax Chiefs and Petty Officers Facility, Sir John A. MacDonald High School, Rankin School of the Narrows in Iona, Park Place V and East Dartmouth Community Centre. As well, two residential projects have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system.
“The opportunities to develop our green building sector are tremendous,” said Crace. “Innovative technologies and changing attitudes can have a huge impact on our sustainable prosperity in Atlantic Canada.”
* Read more "Going Green" stories at: http://www.ns.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/Industry-Spotlight/Going-Green%3A-New-Era-in-Building-23622
