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Environmental stewardship at the Edmonton Convention Centre
PHOTOS COURTESY OF EXPLORE EDMONTON.
The Edmonton Convention Centre is an environmental leader that remains committed to sustainability through responsible venue operations. Prioritizing a culture of environmental, economic, and social sustainability is at the core of their business. Every action within the Edmonton Convention Centre’s sustainability program has been developed to support its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Plan, which aims reduce GHG emissions by 30 per cent by 2035.
In the past two years, the team at the Edmonton Convention Centre has launched its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and Responsible Meetings Program, created an Environmental Preferred Purchasing Policy, underwent installation of Canada’s largest building-integrated photovoltaic display, launched a plant-based menu, met waste reduction targets, and hosted Edmonton’s first-ever carbon neutral convention. On top of their ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, the Edmonton Convention Centre is one of five Canadian venues to be ASTM certified, was the first venue in Canada to receive the Green Key Level Five certification, and is also a certified Climate Smart business.
HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE ICONIC ATRIUM ROOF OF THE EDMONTON CONVENTION CENTRE
With an average of 2,344 hours and 325 days of bright sunshine a year, Edmonton is the second sunniest city in Canada. That’s why the south-facing slope of the venue’s atrium is the ideal structure to harness the sun’s powerful energy.
“With the sheer size of our building, it should be no surprise that the largest percentage of our greenhouse gas footprint comes from the procurement of energy – nearly 70 per cent of our total emissions,” says Melissa Radu, sustainability manager, Explore Edmonton. “Generating renewable electricity onsite, while also becoming more energy efficient, is one of the best ways to make real progress towards slashing emissions.”
In spring of 2020, the Edmonton Convention Centre became home to Canada’s largest installation of buildingintegrated photovoltaic (solar) panels, as the $10.8-milliondollar project was completed on the venue’s iconic atrium
roof. Lead by the City of Edmonton, DIALOG, and Bird Construction, the installation features 696 glass panels and allows the building to produce approximately 200 megawatt hours of electricity each year, with a reduction of nearly 150,000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions. These innovative photovoltaic panels differ from traditional panels, as photovoltaic cells are laminated between the building’s glass, allowing for natural light to still permeate through its sun-soaked atrium.
“Across the world, event organizers look to host their events in cities and venues that showcase environment accountability. Our sustainability program and solar roof differentiate us as global leaders, and that attracts businesses who share in our commitment to reducing their event’s footprint to come to Edmonton,” says Radu.
Upon completion, the project architect DIALOG left behind a powerful message about the city’s commitment to sustainability and the centre’s home in Edmonton’s river valley. Imprinted in Morse Code on the completed installation is an excerpt from the poem Gifts of a River by former Edmonton Poet Laureate E.D. Blodgett. Translated to English, the Morse Code poem reads:
beginnings just appear so like a drowsy eye
suddenly awake where a river wells up
uncoiled from the ice where snug behind the land
it lay dreaming at our feet in quiet sleep
The Edmonton Convention Centre is a beacon of sustainability and a community hub that ensures its learnings are easily accessible for others. Their momentum has identified the venue as a thought leader in its field – and one that is dedicated to creating greener future. The team at the Edmonton Convention Centre understands the immense responsibility and potential they hold as advocates of sustainable leadership, and they are committed to delivering a sustainability legacy that leaves a positive impact on the community for years to come.
