Climate Action & Circular Economy

The key to creating solutions is transforming our current “take-make-waste” economy into one that's regenerative by design. The circular economy offers this genuine opportunity to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.

The circular economy is a systems solution framework that retains the value embedded in products and materials, decoupling economic activities from the extraction of the Earth’s finite stock of resources. If we can keep things in use for longer through circular business models such as reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, then the need for production using “virgin” materials is reduced, providing an opportunity for better growth while leaving space for nature to thrive.

Economic activity in a circular economy can also actively regenerate natural systems. For example, take a circular economy for food, in which products are designed using ingredients that are low-impact, diverse, upcycled, and grown in regenerative farming systems. Creating food products using these ingredients can help to rebuild degraded soils. In addition, regenerative farming systems, such as agroecology, agroforestry, and managed grazing, can increase biodiversity because an absence of chemical inputs builds healthier soils that sequester carbon, helping to keep it out of the atmosphere.

Shifting to regenerative production, using upcycled ingredients, and eliminating food waste could halve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the food industry alone by 2050. These practices are essential if we stand a chance of hitting the targets set in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels by 2100.

A circular economy approach to industry and land use is increasingly being adopted by businesses and enabled by governments across the world. In Canada, regenerative farming systems helped soils remove 4.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in 2019, offsetting 5.8 percent of agricultural GHGs. Food manufacturers operating their own farms and buying from independent farmers are now investing in building up expertise in these agricultural practices on the ground — an illustration of the essentially collaborative nature of the circular economy.

By 2030, New Brunswick-based McCain Foods aims to use regenerative farming systems across all the 370,000 acres of land it farms globally to produce potatoes. As part of this plan, it has set up an “AgPortal” to funnel essential data to farmers so they can test out the effectiveness of these agricultural techniques.

Food giant Danone has established a regenerative agriculture scorecard that helps the farmers it works with to measure and test soil health, water levels, and other factors that contribute to biodiversity protection.

Cutting-edge Canadian digital technology is also helping to accelerate the move to regenerate nature. At the University of Guelph, agrometeorology professor Claudia Wagner-Riddle and her team are developing digital sensors to test the effect of regenerative farming systems on soil health.

As we move forward in a world with many uncertainties, the circular economy depends on the expertise and energy of everyone in the system to work together to redesign the way we make and use things. This is a blueprint for a future that invests in our natural world, building resilience for us all.

Q&A WITH THE Minister of Natural Resources

As the Minister of Natural Resources, what’s your role in fighting climate change?

Well, there are at least a couple of roles. Several pieces of the climate plan that reside in Natural Resources Canada relate to implementing elements.

I have responsibility for the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and the development and coordination across the ministries of the Buildings Strategy about reducing emissions in the building space.

In a country like Canada, which historically has a significant part of its economy derived from oil and gas, how do you transition to a future in which oil and gas will be less significant as a driver of economic growth yet continue to have a prosperous economy? That was the Prime Minister’s mandate when he asked me to take this on. That relates to things like the Regional Tables and the Critical Minerals Strategy.

What are the Regional Energy and Resource Tables?

The Regional Energy and Resource Tables (Regional Tables) are designed to pursue opportunities for sustainable job creation and economic growth for a low-carbon future. Having grown up in Saskatchewan, I believe that it’s a conversation that can’t be had solely at a national level and that each province and territory has its unique set of resources and opportunities. For example, the options for Quebec will differ from those for Alberta. These Regional Tables are intended to align the work of governments with the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, and labour workers to accelerate the most significant opportunities in each province and territory.

The idea is not to focus on 30 different things we could discuss. The three or four major opportunities can really move the needle in creating jobs and economic growth. For example, in British Columbia, a couple of the areas we’re focusing on are critical minerals, hydrogen, and the electrification of heavy industries. It will be quite different in Quebec as they’re focused on battery production.

So these Regional Tables will allow us to create action plans to align the resources we’re bringing to the table (because the federal government has a pot of money for clean fuels and a net-zero accelerator, and $4 billion allocated for critical minerals).

We'll align those with what the provinces are doing and look at whether or not additional resourcing is going to be required to achieve the goals that we'll jointly establish.

What should Canadians expect from you next?

They should expect that we'll work collaboratively with governments in their respective provinces and territories to accelerate the move toward a prosperous economic future. We'll build on critical minerals, hydrogen, batteries, and electric vehicles to ensure that our kids’ financial future will be bright.

One of the helpful things in the context of our action plan is that we'll be using many new and different technologies, yet the skill sets will be very similar.

That’s energy at work.

Lowering greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from existing buildings is essential to achieve net-zero climate action goals. Leading deep energy retrofit projects is one of the ways we’re taking action.

The circular economy is a systems solution framework that retains the value embedded in products and materials, decoupling economic activities from the extraction of the Earth’s finite stock of resources.

Andrew Morlet CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Andrew Morlet

Read our full interview with Minister Wilkinson at innovatingcanada.ca

In an interview with Mediaplanet, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, discusses his role in fighting climate change and pursuing opportunities for sustainable job creation.

How PPEC Is Helping to Promote the Paper Packaging Industry’s Circular Economy

The Paper and Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council (PPEC) is the voice of the Canadian paper packaging industry on environmental sustainability issues.

PPEC comprises more than 30 paper mills and converters across Canada that produce the three major paper packaging grades, including corrugate (cardboard) boxes, paperboard (cereal, cracker) boxes, and paper bags (sugar, flour).

Based on a circular economy, the major paper packaging grades made in Canada are produced primarily with recycled content. While the paper fibres originally come from trees, hardly any of Canada’s commercial forests are harvested for paper packaging. And by law, every hectare that's harvested in Canada must be successfully regenerated.

PPEC’s infographic shows the circular economy of the Canadian paper packaging industry. Mainly using recycled content, a mill produces the material used to make the paper packaging. A converter then turns it into paper packaging products such as cardboard, paperboard boxes, and kraft paper bags. After having used the packaging, the customer then recycles it. And the recycled product goes back to the mill, where it's remade into new packaging, and the cycle repeats itself.

Sustainably Managed Forests

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Converters

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To learn more about PPEC, visit ppec-paper.com

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Reimagining Our Clothing System to Reduce Waste

Together we can reduce the 37 kilograms of clothing waste that the average Canadian produces every year.

Current processes to make and use our clothing follow a "take-make-waste" system, also known as a linear economy. We take materials, make them into products, use the products, and throw them away. We have the power to change this process.

In a circular economy, our clothing would be manufactured with renewable sources of energy and sustainable materials, kept in circulation much longer, and recycled back into new clothing or products. By adjusting our processes for creating and using clothing we can reduce textile waste in Canada together.

MAKE

Clothing manufacturers can use fabrics created from sustainable plant fibres such as cotton, hemp, and bamboo, design patterns that minimize scraps, and use high-quality sewing techniques to help clothing last longer. Clothing can be made using energy from renewable sources and limited water usage.

USE

Consumers can reduce clothing waste by considering renting, reusing, repairing, and reselling our clothing to keep fewer items of clothing in circulation for longer periods of time.

RECYCLE

Communities can help their citizens recycle textiles, the same way they do for plastics and paper products. Redirecting recyclable textiles from landfills can extend their life cycle.

Businesses, policy-makers, and consumers need to work together to create a circular economy.

Learn more about how our current clothing systems are contributing to climate change and what you can do to take action with Let’s Talk Science’s Clothing4Climate project at letstalkscience.ca/c4c

Mills Customers Recyclers

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Food waste is a major issue in Canada and around the globe.

The statistics are shocking: 58 percent of food produced in Canada is lost or wasted each year. Food waste costs the Canadian economy over $49 billion each year and creates about 56.6 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions. When food waste ends up in landfills, it also contaminates the soil and affects biodiversity. That’s why Canadian company LOOP Mission decided to fight it.

Promoting a circular economy LOOP Mission is a circular economy company that aims to reduce food waste by repurposing the outcasts and overstock of the food industry. It saves fruits, vegetables, and other foods from landfills and

A Shining Example of a Successful and Growing Circular Economy Company

LOOP Mission is a company on a mission — as its name suggests — to end food waste and to transform the food industry.

Tania Amardeil

transforms them into amazing cold-pressed juices and other products.

LOOP is so much more than a juice company — it’s a food waste fighting powerhouse. And it’s growing, helping to make the circular economy business model mainstream. The company is expanding its mission beyond the grocery store, into bulk and across the border. LOOP’s products are now available at Costco in Canada as

couldn’t believe it. That call changed my life.

Tell us more about your mission. We’re changing the behaviour of CEOs and CFOs by telling them that what used to be a waste can become a financial gain for them. By changing the big corporations in the food world, we’re having a huge impact on food waste.

What inspired you to co-found LOOP Mission?

It all started with a phone call six years ago. A guy had heard that I liked creating new innovation in the food industry.

He called and told me that his company was throwing away 16 to 25 tons of fruits and vegetables every single day. My partner Julie and I went to visit his warehouse and saw what they were throwing away that day: perfectly ripe and tasty mangoes, peaches, pears, celery, and more. It was all overstock being sent to the landfill. We

What products does LOOP Mission currently produce?

We started with juices made from upcycled produce, but now we also make probiotic sodas, gin distilled using upcycled potato cuttings from a chip factory, beer made with day-old bread, and soaps made from discarded cooking oils. We also have energy bites!

What is your latest project, LOOP Synergies, all about?

LOOP Mission is currently a semi-finalist in the Food Waste Reduction Challenge run by the Canadian government, and LOOP Synergies is the project we developed for the challenge. We’re transforming food waste into more stable products — juices, purees, and powders — to resell to other food manufacturers for them to incorporate into their products. This helps other companies to participate in the circular economy movement without having to deal with the complexity of working with food waste.

David Côté Co-Founder, LOOP Mission

David Côté, co-founder and superhero of LOOP Mission, shares more about the company’s history, mission, and latest initiatives.

The Paper & Paperboard Packaging Environmental Council is the national voice for the Canadian paper packaging industry on environmental issues.

The PPEC is the national voice for the Canadian paper packaging industry on environmental issues.

This article was sponsored by Let's Talk Science

This article was sponsored by PPEC PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOOP

Loblaw Leading the Way with Sustainable Coffee Packaging Hitting Store Shelves

Drinking coffee is a beloved ritual for people around the world, dating back to the 15th century. For some, it’s a little shot of energy in the palm of their hand as they make their way into the office. For others, it’s an excuse to spend precious time around the kitchen table with loved ones before starting the day. Regardless of why people sip, 73 per cent of Canadians enjoy coffee products daily, whether it’s a simple black coffee or a frothy, elaborate latte.

As with many daily habits, coffee drinking has a significant environmental footprint. From takeout cups to plastic pods and at-home containers that include non-recyclable material, Canadian coffee drinkers often send a lot of packaging to landfills across the country. According to a recent survey commissioned by the PC® team, 56 per cent of Canadian coffee drinkers would like to have more sustainable options, with many saying they find it inconvenient to track down sustainable options for at-home use.

Loblaw is making the tradition of home-brewing coffee a greener one. By the end of this year, all PC and no name® whole bean and ground coffee products will be available in new, sustainable packaging — the first of its kind in Canada.

“Leading the way towards a more sustainable future requires innovation,” says Mary MacIsaac, Senior Vice President, Loblaw Brands at Loblaw Companies Limited.

“While the PC brand is known for bringing the newest flavours and food trends to Canadians, we are also developing new award-winning sustainable packaging for our products. Our team is on a mission to develop solutions to help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills, it’s an issue that's important to both us and our customers.”

The new packaging innovation, created through a collaboration with beverage solutions company Club Coffee, uses AromaPak with Boardio technology. The finished product is a coffee package made of firm paper, at least 80 per cent of which comes from renewable and sustainable Forest Stew -

2022 Global Packaging Awards for Package Innovation and Sustainable Design.

For food industry leaders looking to make better products available to their eco-conscious customer base, MacIsaac says the recipe for success is strong strategic partnerships with like-minded disruptors.

“Making a difference requires partners who share the same passion and drive that we do,” says MacIsaac. “Several years ago, we began a partnership with Club Coffee, and by working together, we’re taking steps to make a big impact when it comes to reducing plastic packaging waste going to our landfills.”

As a leading retailer of at-home coffee, Loblaw’s new packaging has the potential to offset hundreds of metric tons of waste per year. In addition to diverting plastic from landfills, this new packaging also helps reduce carbon emissions compared to other coffee containers. This initiative is a step toward Loblaw having all PC and no name plastic product packaging in fully reusable or recyclable materials by 2025.

“We are determined to be part of the solution, and we know that the impact of plastics overuse is a growing concern for our business and customers,” MacIsaac says. “As one of Canada’s most trusted brands, we have the responsibility to tackle challenging issues and drive meaningful change, and we think our customers are ready to take this sustainability journey with us.”

To learn more about sustainable coffee solutions, visit clubcoffee.ca

ardship Council-sourced tree fibres. This innovation has earned PC the Best in Class award at the

All PC® and no name® whole bean and ground coffee products are transitioning to new innovative packaging.

This article was sponsored by Club Coffee

Nicole Edwards

Our team is on a mission to develop solutions to help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills, it’s an issue that is important to both us and our customers.

Engineering School Leading the Way in Circular Economy Research

This engineering school is helping to accelerate Canada’s transition to the circular economy, thanks to unique partnerships and innovative research units.

Over the past two decades, the École de technologie supérieure (ETS) has evolved into a major tour de force in engineering education, applied research, and technology transfer.

Located in Montreal and a constituent of the Université du Québec, ETS is a mono-faculty university specializing solely in engineering. ETS currently trains about 25 percent of all Quebec engineers and ranks second in Canada for the number of undergraduate engineering degrees granted.

Since 2010, ETS’s workforce has grown by 38 percent to 1,000 employees, including more than 260 professors and lecturers. This steady growth has allowed the university to recruit research talent that's based on the evolving needs of society. Going forward, ETS is setting the bar even higher, aiming to become a world-calibre engineering school by 2024.

Ecosystem of living sectoral labs lets researchers and stakeholders co-create solutions to circularity barriers ETS works with a pool of 5,000 partner companies, helping to develop technological solutions to key issues — many of which involve green innovation, climate change, and sustainable development.

In 2020, ETS established a research unit called the Centre for Intersectoral Studies and Research on the Circular Economy (CERIEC). The circular economy refers to a shift from the traditional linear economic paradigm of extracting, using, and wasting natural resources to one that seeks to eliminate or reduce waste through circular processes such as share, repair, reuse, and recycling. “According to the literature, an important part of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions comes from the extraction of natural resources and its first transformation,” says Dr. Annie Levasseur, Scientific Director of the CERIEC. “So, if we decrease the pressure on our ecosystems through circular processes, we preserve our natural resources for longer and reduce GHG emissions and other environmental impacts asso-

ciated with extraction and production.”

The CERIEC’s primary research mechanism is an ecosystem of sectoral living labs. Each lab brings together the key stakeholders of a given sectoral value chain with researchers from different universities and areas of expertise to identify barriers to circularity and collaborate on developing solutions.

“From what we know, there's no equivalent interdisciplinary network on the circular economy anywhere else in the world,” says Daniel Normandin, Co-Founder and Director of the CERIEC. “We’re also the first lab to use a systematic approach on such a large scale, with all the key players of a given value chain involved, rather than having individuals working alone on specific projects. We feel this systematic view is critical to developing coherent solutions and avoiding transferring a given problem somewhere else, be that within Canada or another country.”

ETS can potentially solve environmental problems and con tribute to Quebec and Canada’s eco nomic development more broadly.

"Many of these new technolo gies will require people to develop and apply them, so they can help create many new jobs with good wages. These new technologies will also allow us to reduce the pressure on our primary natural resources by reducing waste and making more use of our secondary resources," Normandin says. “There's also the possibility of being able to export these technologies to other countries.”

Technological innovations in the circular economy can also help Canada resist supply chain disruptions. “Despite our resource-rich economic base, the supply shortages we saw during the pandemic or when there’s a conflict between countries has shown how dependent we are on different value chains. So decreasing our dependence on other countries through reusing and remanufacturing products can be very strategic to Canada’s economic self-sufficiency,” says Dr. Levasseur.

New technologies developed by engineers play a key role

The shift to circularity is very much dependent on new technologies, with engineers at the forefront. “When we talk about remanufacturing a product at the end of its life cycle, the processes involved are developed by engineers, so technology development and engineers are a very important part of the solution,” says Dr. Levasseur.

So far, Quebec ranks comparatively low in circularity, as does the rest of Canada.

Currently, the construction sector living lab is fully operational and several others are under development, including one focused on single-use plastics in the health care sector and one in the agri-food sector.

“Ultimately, we aim to have eight to nine living labs because it’s such an original way of doing research, and we believe the know-how, solutions, and technologies coming out of these collaborations will help accelerate the transition to a circular economy,” says Normandin.

Research contributes to economic development

The advanced sustainability and circularity research being done at the CERIEC and

“In a report published a few months ago, Quebec scored only 3.5 percent on the circularity index, compared to the world average of 8.6 percent,” says Normandin. “Our goal should be to increase our circularity to the same level as the best-performing European countries within a reasonable timeframe, say 2035. The Netherlands, for example, has the highest current circularity rate in the world at 24.5 percent.”

To get there, more investments will be needed. “We cannot deploy the circular economy without technologies, so there needs to be more education and research funding,” says Normandin. “Europe, for instance, invests billions of euros for development in circular economies, so if we wish to be leaders in the circular economy, we will need more investments.”

This article was sponsored by the École de technologie supérieure

Learn more about ETS at etsmtl.ca and discover its capabilities in circular economy and sustainable development research.

Anne Papmehl

When we talk about remanufacturing a product at the end of its life cycle, the processes involved are developed by engineers, so technology development and engineers are a very important part of the solution.

Dr. Annie Levasseur Scientific

Director,

CERIEC

Daniel Normandin Co-Founder & Director, CERIEC

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ETS

How a Canadian Company Is Easing Access to the Carbon Credit Market

The voluntary carbon credit market, which surpassed $1 billion (USD) in value for the first time last year, is believed to be one of the best solutions to reducing global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Up to now, this market has been hard to access. Most voluntary credits have been trading on the over-the-counter market involving multiple brokers, erratic prices, markups, and duplication — resulting in lack of transparency and liquidity.

It makes sense then that buying or selling carbon credits on the blockchain through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) would ease access and solve many of these problems. After all, a blockchain network shows the full details of every node in the chain and allows for transactions to be conducted on any of the decentralized exchanges that already trade in cryptocurrencies and tokens. However, not all tokenization platforms are created equal.

DeepMarkit Corp. is a publicly-traded Canadian company (TSX Venture: MKT) that’s ready to launch its turnkey platform called MintCarbon.io, which converts carbon credits into highly-customizable NFTs (or smart contracts), tradable on the blockchain. In addition to making carbon credits accessible to everyone, the company is striving to bring transparency, liquidity, and integrity to the carbon offset markets.

DeepMarkit already has an agreement with Radiance Assets Berhad, an international holding company with extensive exposure to high-end technology solutions, agritech, and advanced clean technology. MintCarbon.io is expected to receive increased transaction volume as a result of any and all users referred by Radiance who mint existing credits into NFTs, and in addition, intends to facilitate Radiance's portfolio companies in pursuing carbon neutrality through the acquisition of NFTs representing thousands of tonnes of CO2 minted via the MintCarbon.io platform.

Mediaplanet recently spoke with a company official to learn more about digital carbon credits and what makes DeepMarkit a frontrunner in this expanding sector.

What are carbon credits?

A carbon credit — or carbon offset — represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions that someone, somewhere has prevented from being released into the atmosphere. Companies in sectors that tend to emit high amounts of carbon, like oil and gas, can purchase carbon credits from companies involved in projects that reduce carbon emissions.

How do carbon credits trade?

Carbon credits currently trade in two markets — the compliance market and the voluntary

market. The compliance market is enforced by governmental bodies. With the voluntary carbon market, which is where we're involved, companies can voluntarily purchase carbon credits from carbon-friendly companies to offset their own emissions.

Why are companies buying voluntary carbon credits?

In March of this year, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published proposed rules for how publicly- traded companies will need to report climate risk in their audited financial statements. If passed, every publicly-listed company will be required to disclose its environmental policies in the future. This is largely driven by increased demand by investors and other stakeholders.

Any company not under the compliance regime will want to purchase credits voluntarily to show in their annual and quarterly reports that they're doing their part as good global citizens.

What are some of the challenges with the current voluntary carbon market for investors?

While there are a lot of great and interesting projects taking place, it’s still very much a Wild West with good and bad actors. There’s no universal standard for carbon, and the market is prone to wide price fluctuations, markups, falsification, double counting, and inconsistent record-keeping because it’s still very much over-the-counter trading.

How does your NFT minting process work?

The NFT minting process starts by confirming and authenticating the project or credit on a third-party carbon project verification registry such as Gold Standard or Verra. Once the credit has been authenticated, the user is approved to mint the carbon offset credit into a verified NFT through MintCarbon.io.

The owner of the carbon offset project creates a blockchain wallet, such as MetaMask, into which their NFTs are deposited. Once the credit has been minted, the user can list their NFTs for trading on any decentralized exchange in the world, such as OpenSea or Rarible.

Your approach to tokenization is through the ERC-1155 protocol rather than the ERC-20 protocol. Why is that?

First, MintCarbon ERC-1155 tokens are based

on active, verified, and high-quality carbon credits that allow purchasers to interact directly and fund legitimate projects on leading registries. Second, the ERC-20 protocol doesn't allow for the embedding of various features, data, and tracking details. We believe that there's a lot more to these carbon credits than commoditizing them, and each story is unique. The ERC-1155 lets the project owner share a lot of additional information about their projects, including co-benefits, graphics, artwork, video, and project descriptions, so they can also get their underlying stories out into the marketplace.

What role can NFTs play in the carbon credit market?

NFTs help to reduce market friction, increase market access, and reduce intermediary fees. They also offer a way for carbon offsetting projects to be showcased by amplifying the qualitative aspects, impacts, and sustainable development goals that their champions have worked hard to achieve.

Another thing that NFTs can do is scale capital flows by allowing companies with carbon credits to receive royalties on subsequent trades of NFTs, which can be used to monetize their assets and further develop environmentally-friendly projects that reduce carbon emissions.

Are these carbon credits available to the public?

Yes. Anyone with a blockchain wallet or account at any of the decentralized exchanges can purchase carbon credits. We're democratizing access to this environmental mass market by breaking everything down to a level playing field where anyone with an internet connection can browse projects on MintCarbon.io, and if they so choose, click on the desired link to take them to a decentralized exchange such as OpenSea where they're able to buy and sell the underlying carbon credit.

How do carbon credits get retired once they’ve been purchased?

The real environmental benefit occurs when an active carbon credit is retired as it means the carbon offset has occurred. A holder of an active carbon credit can retire it through a retirement contract on the MintCarbon.io platform. It then gets retired on the blockchain and on the registry itself. Only the purchaser of the carbon credit that retires the credit can claim to have reduced the emissions.

With the voluntary carbon market, which is where we're involved, companies can voluntarily purchase carbon credits from carbon-friendly companies to offset their own emissions.

The growing voluntary carbon credit market is fraught with challenges, but one Canadian company is revolutionizing the process through blockchain technology.

Anne Papmehl

Lim Soo CEO & Co-Founder, Peak Power

Peak Power was founded by self-described energy nerds in 2015 and is the only company operating battery storage, grid interactive buildings, and bi-directional electric vehicles with a single platform for partners to achieve net-zero goals, cut operating expenses, and unlock new revenue opportunities.

“We believe that buildings have the potential to disrupt and decentralize the energy sector, leading to cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electricity,” says Derek Lim Soo, Peak Power’s CEO and Co-Founder. “Our software solutions can forecast power grid needs and optimize energy assets. Building and manufacturing owners can get greater returns by leveraging untapped energy potential already in their facilities.”

The transition to clean energy is being powered by technology and partnerships that create smart cities. Instead of commercial buildings being big consumers of energy, a two-way relationship can be created, so they can contribute back to the

How One Canadian Climate Tech Company Is Making Power Plants Obsolete

In Canada, and across the world, energy consumption is growing. Our power infrastructure is aging. The answer to some of our most pressing energy challenges can be found in the innovative solutions being developed by Toronto-based Peak Power.

electrical grid. Already, Peak Power is working with forward-thinking utilities, including Oshawa Power, to advance technologies that are leading to creative solutions.

Turning innovation into reality

In one example, an office building stores energy in a bank of batteries that can be charged during times when demand for electricity is lower. Then, at times of peak demand, the building can draw power from the batteries instead of the electrical grid. The resulting benefits include additional revenue through energy market incentives and reduced strain on the electricity grid, leading to more reliability.

Peak Power is showing what’s possible by being creative and efficient in moving power around. “It’s not easy predicting when there will be peak demand on our power system because there are many variables, including the weather. We actually have a meteorologist on staff to improve our predictions,” says Lim Soo. “We work with our customers to give them tools and notifications to understand what’s happening with the grid and when it’s advantageous for them to draw power from alternate sources, such as batteries, or reduce consumption altogether.”

The status quo isn’t an option. We continue to see the negative impacts of current energy systems, which in many places are still heavily reliant on using coal, a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmentalists often talk about the greenhouse gas methane and its outsized effect on global warming. Quickly reducing methane, they say, is crucial to slowing climate change in the near term.

Waste in landfills, sewage, and agriculture are major sources of methane emissions and, thus, drivers of climate change. Fortunately, a Canadian company, Anaergia, is on a mission to change this by diverting organic waste from landfills, wastewater and other wastes and converting it into renewable energy.

Reducing methane emissions, slowing climate change

Methane emissions from landfills and wastewater represent a much larger portion of the world’s methane problem than most people realize. In landfills, these emissions are created by the uncontrolled anaerobic decomposition of food, yard clippings, and paper or cardboard — in other words, organic waste. Conservative estimates put global methane emissions from landfills and wastewater at 67 million metric tonnes per year — 20 percent of total methane emissions. And if food waste alone were a country, it would be the third

A pilot project in Toronto is turning electric vehicles into mobile batteries. Electric vehicles can discharge power into the building when the demand for electricity is high and then recharge their battery in non-peak times.

Technology is already enabling decentralization in many aspects of our lives and, in turn, giving individuals more control. Our energy production and consumption should be no different. “The sharing economy is where we see energy going,” says Lim Soo. “Facilitated by big data and technology, goods and resources are shared by individuals and groups in a collaborative way such that physical assets become services. Airbnb is a great example. Home and apartment owners provide shortterm rentals in a public market. In the same way, a decentralized electricity system means everyone has a chance to share the power and the resulting financial benefits.”

largest greenhouse gas emitter, after China and the U.S.

Burlington, Ont.-based company Anaergia (TSX: ANRG) has projects around the globe that reduce methane emissions by converting waste from garbage, wastewater and other sources into renewable fuel, organic fertilizer and recycled water. The company has developed a complete suite of technologies that maximize resource recovery for the municipal, industrial, commercial, and agricultural sectors. Anaergia’s patented technologies do every step—extract food waste from municipal trash, anaerobically digest waste, make biomethane—so that instead of causing climate change, waste can be transformed into renewable fuel and used to displace natural gas in pipeline systems.

Creating a circular economy “We’re tackling climate change in two ways:

first, our technologies prevent the release of methane — a more powerful greenhouse gas emission than carbon dioxide — into the atmosphere, and second, we provide a carbon-negative fuel to avoid emissions from burning conventional fossil fuels,” says Andrew Benedek, CEO of Anaergia.

An academic and environmentalist who became an entrepreneur to solve environmental problems, Benedek is serious about tackling climate change and helping to create a circular economy. “I’m proud of our progress thus far,” he says. “We’ve developed a portfolio of patented technologies to solve the problem of methane emissions from waste. We’ve created nearly 400 clean-tech jobs and invested nearly $400 million in clean energy infrastructure around the world. We’ve also helped multiple municipal agencies raise funds through public-private partnerships to complete these clean-tech projects.”

from Waste

Canadian company Anaergia is on a mission to combat climate change by transforming waste into clean energy.

Ken Donohue

Tania Amardeil

This article was sponsored by Peak Power This

sponsored by Anaergia

at peakpower energy.com

anaergia.com

We believe that buildings have the potential to disrupt and decentralize the energy sector, leading to cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electricity.

Derek

We’ve developed a portfolio of patented technologies to solve the problem of methane emissions from waste.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANAERGIA

Anaergia’s technologies are helping stop methane emissions around the world.

This facility in Pontina, Italy is owned and operated by the Toronto-based company.

Jim Kobialko Conservation & Energy Management Manager, Innovative Technologies & Projects, FortisBC

Deep Energy Retrofits Are Unlocking the Climate Action Potential of BC’s Homes and Businesses

In the face of the climate crisis, all eyes are on our energy supply, but a comprehensive pathway to net zero runs also through our energy demand. One BC energy provider is seeing the potential for incredible reductions in energy consumption through a process of deep energy retrofits.

D.F. McCourt

This downtown Vancouver high-rise building, which provides non-profit housing, will be the first to undergo a FortisBC deep energy retrofit.

As we strive for net zero, it’s important to remember that the greenest energy of all is the energy we don’t use. While clean generation technologies like wind, solar, and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) make a huge difference in lowering the overall carbon footprint of our energy generation, the most aggressive emissions targets will simultaneously require that our demand for energy fundamentally decrease. But, when our society and lifestyle require significant energy consumption, the idea of cutting back can be intimidating. In British Columbia, FortisBC is testing promising strategies to dramatically lower energy use in both single-family homes and multifamily buildings, which is essential to achieving the climate action goals from all levels of government FortisBC, in one form or another, has been providing energy to customers in the province for well over a century. Today, it manages an extensive network of infrastructure that serves 1.2 million customers, and it very much wants to fill the needs of those customers as efficiently as possible. With modern assessment techniques, it has become convinced that the amount of energy being wasted is far larger than we had previously imagined. Through a process of deep energy retrofits, it's now exploring ways that the energy footprint of homes and businesses can be reduced by 50 percent or more without any compromise being made to the service and comfort provided.

“The concept of energy efficiency has been around for a long time, but deep energy retrofits are relatively new to the industry,” says Jim Kobialko, FortisBC's Conservation and Energy Management Manager, Innovative Technologies & Projects.

“What's different about a deep retrofit is that it's a comprehensive program that's air sealing first. Basically, when you're looking at an existing building, a deep energy retrofit is improving the envelope and it's improving the mechanical. For the envelope, it's looking at things like replacing the cladding, replacing the windows with more efficient windows, and making the building tighter. For the mechanical, it's replacing the existing appliance or heating system with a more

efficient heating system. Together, when you incorporate both envelope and mechanical upgrades, you can reduce emissions in that building by 50 percent or more.”

Nothing is greener than efficiency

The goal is to combine these retrofits, which then lowers energy demand, with a transition to RNG and other cleaner forms of energy.

“The beauty of linking RNG with energy efficiency, like deep energy retrofits, is that you're using less of the energy requirement and effectively providing a path toward net zero in buildings with existing natural gas systems. It's definitely really exciting when you combine both together. You're reducing your emissions, and you're also reducing operating costs for managing the building,” says Kobialko.

to concrete construction high-rises. The approach required and the specific gains realized obviously vary from building to building, but the fundamental philosophy is consistent: identify and solve the inefficiencies of the envelope while simultaneously improving the efficiency of the mechanical. In every case, the gains are considerable, but in some specific examples, the outcome is far more significant than even FortisBC had projected.

“For example, in one building that we're working on with the City of Vancouver, the estimates show 77 percent emission reductions,” says Kobialko. “That's where we're looking at incorporating gas heat pumps, we're looking at including envelope, we're upgrading the windows, and through all of that, you can get to 77 percent emission reductions and layer on RNG and you can effectively get to a net-zero emissions building today, which is such a powerful narrative.”

Making the road to net zero easier to walk together

For that matter, a properly-managed deep energy retrofit provides benefits that go beyond the environmental and the economical. “When you're doing a deep energy retrofit, you're also improving the air quality within the building,” says Kobialko. “There are also safety improvements. A lot of these existing buildings are older and aren't meeting current building code requirements. Some of the buildings we looked at, they actually don't have working heating systems or ventilation systems. When you're looking at overheating, and with the more extreme heat we've experienced, deep energy retrofits can play a key role in keeping the building cooler in the summer and warmer in the wintertime.”

The opportunities for reducing energy consumption are more robust than we imagined FortisBC has a number of deep energy retrofit projects underway as part of its pilot program, including 36 single-family homes and four commercial buildings ranging from lowrise wood-framed buildings all the way up

As with any pilot project, the hope is that these results will provide a strong case for rolling out something similar to a full-fledged rebate program with open enrolment. These deep energy retrofits that are underway very much represent a fact-finding mission, but the data that's already rolling in paints an incredibly compelling picture. And, just as FortisBC was aware that it needed this pilot project to develop a deeper understanding of what was possible, it recognized that there existed a knowledge gap and capability gap preventing home and building owners from undertaking these retrofits themselves.

“Let me tell you, if I was trying to do this by myself on my own home without knowledge on how to do a construction project, it would be very, very difficult,” says Kobialko. “FortisBC is conducting this pilot to lead the charge in showcasing a path to support customers in their decision-making. We’re going on this journey together.”

With the expense, complexity and importance of these deep retrofit projects, success requires organizations working together in partnership. To discuss the work FortisBC is doing or be considered for future pilot projects, you're encouraged to get in touch.

For information about the role the gas system has in deep energy retrofits and how to get involved, visit fortisbc.com/ pilots

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The beauty of linking RNG with energy efficiency, like deep energy retrofits, is that you're using less of the energy requirement and effectively providing a path toward net zero in buildings with existing natural gas systems.

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FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORTISBC

Working together with B.C. housing providers and municipalities, FortisBC identified four multifamily buildings to test deep energy retrofit strategies aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent or more.

Deep retrofits on 20 older, singlefamily homes across B.C. will seek to uncover "how low you can go" towards decreasing energy use.

Aviva Canada Is Taking a Leadership Role in Acting on Climate Change

Leading insurance company Aviva Canada is taking bold action to improve sustainability and help address climate change.

Extreme weather events are on the rise worldwide, and everyone is feeling its effects. As a leading property and casualty insurer, Aviva Canada sees the devastating impact of climate change on its customers and communities firsthand. As a result, the company is tackling climate change and biodiversity hand in hand as part of its sustainability ambition.

Creating a better tomorrow Aviva Canada provides home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. The insurer is taking bold actions to protect customers, people, and businesses from the effects of climate change.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2021. In addition, the report outlines the company’s ambitious climate action plan and its wide-ranging initiatives to build stronger communities and embed sustainability into every aspect of its business.

Embracing leadership and accountability

Preventing the most catastrophic impacts of climate change will take real action. “At Aviva, we’ve set clear targets that are the most ambitious of any insurer in the world,” says Storah.

Building on its sustainability work over the last three decades, Aviva Canada aims to become a net-zero company by 2040, to achieve a 25 percent reduction in carbon intensity of assets by 2025 and 60 percent by 2030, and to have net-zero operations and supply chain by 2030.

Aviva’s initiatives to date include: Decarbonizing its investment portfolio.

• Insuring a net-zero future. In personal insurance, this includes offering a green vehicle discount, and discounted coverage for customers who choose solar panels and wind turbines. Aviva also offers several commercial insurance solutions that support the carbon transition for businesses. Embedding climate-related risk in its strategy.

Working together

Some of Aviva Canada’s 2021’s milestones include:

Launching a first-of-its-kind sustainable claims management program following the BC floods in 2021.

“Tackling the climate crisis, addressing systemic issues like disparities in diversity and inclusion, and investing in Canada’s society and economy isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential for future success,” says Jason Storah, CEO of Aviva Canada. “We’re contributing to a modern, fair, and agile society that’s determined to create a better tomorrow for future generations.”

Aviva Canada’s 2021 Sustainability Report summarizes the company’s sustainability and

• Over $100 million in green assets invested.

• A $2 million partnership with WWF-Canada in its Nature and Climate Grant Program.

“We’ll engage, not exclude when supporting partners and businesses transitioning toward a low-carbon economy,” says Storah. “We want to work with like-minded companies, using our size and scale to bring our partners, customers, businesses, and others along the journey.”

To further bring its commitment to life, on June 7, more than 1,100 Aviva employees planted trees, mulched, or picked up litter in their local communities across Canada.

“This was a great way for everyone to get together and make an impact collectively,” says Storah. “Change doesn’t happen overnight, and there’s still so much more to do.

Our annual Aviva Climate Day will allow us to celebrate and elevate how we’ve made a difference through this important work in local communities where Aviva has a presence.”

Aviva Canada CEO Jason Storah (third from left, second row) with employees planting trees,

supporting Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation's Look After Where You Live program.

Tania Amardeil

Tackling the climate crisis, addressing systemic issues like disparities in diversity and inclusion, and investing in Canada’s society and economy isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential for future success.