Transcript Document

Engineering for Climate Change:
an Overview
Presented by Zeina Elali, B.Arch.Sci, LEED AP
May 30, 2008
Presented at: OACETT AGM
R.V. Anderson Associates Limited
Civil engineering consulting for:
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Water/wastewater treatment
Transportation
Urban development
Municipal servicing
Architecture
My Role
“ Sustainability Practice Leader ”
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Educate myself, co-workers, clients
Find ways to do existing projects ‘better’
Track new technologies
Track new/changing environmental
legislation
Coordinating sustainability aspects of
projects: ensuring planning starts at the
beginning
1. What is Sustainability
2. Designing Towards
Sustainable Development
3. What Professionals can do
4. Useful Tools & Incentives
What is Sustainability ?
Sustainability is…
“development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”
– the Brundtland Report, 1987
World Commission on Environment and Development
What is Sustainability ?
Industrial Revolution:
• Releases billions of pounds
of toxic waste into air, water
and soil every year
• Creates materials that
cause concern by future
generations to their quality
of life
• Produces large amounts of
waste
• Requires endless
regulations to simply
regulate the rates of
damage of points above
What is Sustainability ?
Economic Model of the Industrial Revolution:
Social
Economic
Environmental
What is Sustainability ?
A Sustainable System:
Cyclical
What is Sustainability ?
The Green Shift
Social
Economic
Environmental
What is Sustainability ?
• Development of ‘Agenda 21’ at the
World Summit – June 13 of 1992
• representatives stood for 90% of Earth’s
population.
• comprised single largest gathering of
heads of state in history of international
diplomacy
What is Sustainability ?
Agenda 21 is best grouped in 6 topic categories:
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The quality of life on earth
Efficient Use of the Earth’s Materials
The Protection of our Global Commons
The Management of Human Settlements
Chemicals and Management of Waste
Sustainable Economic Growth
What is Sustainability ?
‘Agenda 21… + 10’
“There were many fine achievements
on paper at Rio but what has
happened on the ground since Rio is
all too little"
-Dr Norman Myers
independent conservation scientist
What is Sustainability ?
‘Agenda 21… + 10’
• 1.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking
water
• 35% of world's fisheries suffer from declining
yields
• EU nations have yet to achieve waste and
materials reduction targets
WWF, 2003
How do we get there from here?
Sustainability Drivers
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Informed public demand
Positive recognition for leaders
Best long-term solution
Environmental legislation
Increasing prices for resources
(i.e. energy, water, fuel, wood etc.)
Significant converging activities
…in the past 7 years
Best Practice Guides
PSAB
Sustainability
Act 2002
The Safe
Drinking Water
Act 2002
Regulations
Reg
170/03
Reg
188/07
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Tax, Codes, Regulations, Funding
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Reward climate friendly choices
Discourage emission intensive
options
i.e. Public Transit tax credit – July 2006
Tax,
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Codes, Regulations, Funding
Codes and Regulations:
 ie.
OBC strengthened to support energy
efficiency
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Funding:
 To
encourage sustainable infrastructure and
programs
Market for Sustainability
Canadian Government:
2008 EcoACTION budget highlights - to ensure
cleaner, healthier environment:
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$66 million over 2 years to set up regulatory framework for
industrial air emissions
$10 million over two years for research and analysis on
biofuels
Extending GST/HST relief to land leased to situate
wind/solar-power equipment for electricity production
Market for Sustainability
continued…
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$21 million over two years to make environmental law
enforcement more effective
$12 million over two years to enhance law enforcement
within Canada’s National Parks
$250 million for full-scale commercial demonstration of
carbon capture and storage in the electricity sector
Market for Sustainability
In Ontario:
• Government provided budget to help
provinces, territories, municipalities
• 2007  $962 million
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in new and existing infrastructure
Upgrade Ontario’s highway system (Hwy 407,
Hwy 404, and Hwy 7 specifically)
Alternatives to driving (i.e. public transit)
1. What is Sustainability
2. Designing Towards
Sustainable Development
3. What Professionals can do
4. Useful Tools & Incentives
Defining Traditional Engineering
What changed?
In Traditional Engineering…
• required to solve problems they are
presented with to the best of their knowledge
• within constraints of approval authorities
• within schedule and financial constraints
• Engineers search for methods that maximize
function, and minimize cost to clients
Traditional Engineering:
Maximizing utility while minimizing
the cost to the client
Shift in Engineering Mindset:
Maximize social benefit while
minimizing ecological impact
But…How do We Track Progress?
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SOCIAL EFFECT:
Community activities, employment rates, immigration...
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ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES:
Business growth, employment rates, inflation…
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS:
- Beach closures, smog warnings, environmental
contaminations, endangered wildlife…
- Birth defects, death rates, severe asthma attacks…
How do we track changes to these factors?
1. What is Sustainability
2. Designing Towards
Sustainable Development
3. What Professionals can do
4. Useful Tools & Incentives
As Keyplayers, what can we do?
Designing Towards Sustainable Development
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Be aware of issues and impacts
Inherently includes well-being of environment
Comply and go beyond minimum requirement
Involve public and communities in decisionmaking
Set our mindset to doing what is right
Even when appears to be a more difficult
process - it is a step in the right direction
Must change the way people think about
sustainability!
Designing Towards Sustainable Development
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Step back from “business as usual”
Find ways to work with nature
Lessen environmental impact
Save energy, resources
Build on Small Successes – piloting
Spread the word - Market your capabilities to
both existing and new clients
The Challenge… goes beyond just the money!
What Professionals Can Do
Design project to:
• Reduce material and energy use
• Use renewable energy resources
• Maximize lifespan of structure
• Reduce construction waste generated
• Reduce/eliminate hazardous waste
generation
• Minimize maintenance and services
required
What Professionals Can Do
Most importantly…
Design project to either reduce or
eliminate:
• greenhouse gas emission
• Use of ozone depleting substances
• Key air pollutants
• Indoor air pollutants
What Professionals Can Do
Consider all costs beyond $$$, including:
• Energy
• Water/sewage
• Chemical/materials
• Maintenance and operation
• Life span and replacement cost
What Professionals Can Do … in projects
… some examples
Sewage Treatment Plant
• Digester gas for energy
• Heat exchanger on sewage effluent
• Heat recirculation from transformers,
blowers
• Irrigation using plant effluent
What Professionals Can Do … in projects
… some examples
Urban Development:
• Redevelopment of brownfield sites
• Pervious pavement in parking lots
• Residential cisterns
• Constructed wetlands and ponds
What Professionals Can Do … in projects
… some examples
Transportation:
• Public transit emphasis
• Pedestrian, bicycle friendly
• Animal/bird crossing culverts
• Reuse of materials
What Professionals Can Do … in projects
… some examples
Architectural and Building Systems:
• Consider sun, wind and daylight
• Maximize reuse of structures & materials
• Use natural ventilation
• Consider low flow toilets and urinals
• Consider solar systems to power outdoor
lighting, i.e. parking lots, walkways
• Use automatic lighting controls that respond to
available daylight
What Professionals Can Do… to upgrade their skills
Keep yourself up-to-date:
• Research and learn about new products and
technologies
• Learn from past project experiences
• Stay up-to-date through:
• Conferences & Events
• Media
1. What is Sustainability
2. Designing Towards
Sustainable Development
3. What Professionals can do
4. Useful Tools & Incentives
Useful Tools and Incentives
Implementation Tools and Drivers:
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Research Government funding and incentive
programs
Utility incentive programs
Green Globes or Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design Credit System (‘LEED’)
LEED MISSION:
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design
• Promote and accelerate adaptation of
green awareness
• To create better buildings and
communities: healthy places to live, work
and play
LEED Canada-NC Version 1.0 Reference
Package
LEED Certification Process
Certification Level
Points Required
LEED Certified
26 to 32
LEED Silver Certified
33 to 38
LEED Gold Certified
39 to 51
LEED Platinum Certified
52 or more
Possible 70 points total
LEED MISSION:
Credits are divided in 6 categories:
•Sustainable Sites
•Water Efficiency
•Energy and Atmosphere
•Materials and Resources
•Indoor Environmental Qualities
•Innovation and Design Process
LEED MISSION:
INNOVATION & DESIGN
PROCESS (5 POINTS)
SUSTAINABLE SITES
(14 POINTS)
INDOOR
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
(15 POINTS)
7%
20%
22%
7%
19%
MATERIALS &
RESOURCES
(13 POINTS)
WATER
EFFICIENCY
(5 POINTS)
25%
ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE
(17 POINTS)
LEED MISSION:
LEED Certification Process
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Register project at CaGBC
Submit application
Draft Review by CaGBC
Audit 6 Prerequisites and Credits by
CaGBC
LEED MISSION:
Benefits of LEED Projects
• Use less energy and water
• Use materials wisely
• Produce less waste
• Have longer economic lives
• Cost less to operate
• Generate less greenhouse gases and other
pollutants
• Occupants are more comfortable
• Occupants are healthier and more productive
LEED MISSION:
LEED Projects require
• Architects
• Mechanical engineers
• Electrical engineers
• Structural engineers
• Transportation engineers
• Site servicing engineers
• Stormwater Management engineers
Canada NC 1 Guide
Implementation of the LEED Design & Construction
Requirements will have the following additional costs:
Myth is that Green costs more…
Cost of Green Revisited
Davis Langdon
July 2007
Myth on Green costing more
Cost of Green Revisited
Davis Langdon
July 2007
Eliminating the Myth- “Green costs more”
The steps for staying on track include:
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Documentation: as early as possible and
maintain it
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Update / Monitor Sustainability Checklist: have
a clear picture of progress on sustainable goals
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Energy / Cost Models: Use energy and cost
models as design tools
Eliminating the Myth- “Green costs more”
Budget Pointers:
NOT …
“How much more will it cost?,”
BUT RATHER…“How will we do this?”
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Ask early in the project, and considered at
every step of design and construction
• Establish team goals, expectations &
expertise
• Include specific goals in the Program
• Align budget with program
• Stay on track with design and construction
Eliminating the Myth- “Green costs more”
But it’ll take a collaborative effort to get to where we
need to…
Owners, planners, designers, builders, educators,
decision-makers, regulators, must all find means to
work together towards a common goal.
Incentives for LEED or other sustainable
projects set-up by the City of Toronto:
•Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF)
•Green Roof Incentive Program (GRIP)
•Better Buildings Partnership - New Construction (BBP-NC)
•First Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program (FICIP)
Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF)
Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF):
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Finance Toronto-based initiatives that combat global
climate change and improve air quality
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approximately $1.2 million available for grants
Up to $8 million for mandate-related loans
Eligibility:
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By a City of Toronto department
Charitable organizations
Not-for-profit organizations in Ontario
Other public institutions (universities, schools and hospitals)
All applicant must be located within City of Toronto
Green Roof Incentive Program (GRIP)
Green Roof Incentive Program
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Established to support City’s Wet Weather Flow Master
Plan
2007  increased incentive to $50 per sq.m - up to
$10,000 for single family homes and $100,000 for all
other property
Application deadline: December of every year
Better Buildings Program - New
Construction (BBP-NC)
 in cooperation with Toronto Hydro
•to achieve energy efficiency in new buildings
•to qualify: design process to include energy simulation
modeling to comply with CBIP program from NRCan
•Application made at time of building permit
•BBNCP will pay owner $500/peak W/m2 Gross Floor Area of
building reduction in energy demand compared to MNECB
design
First Industrial and Commercial Incentive
Program (FICIP)
First Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program
• Established by Toronto's Economic Development Division
• Provides financial assistance to property owners
• Program applied to 14 designated areas across city: 320
acres total
• To explore opportunities and overcome challenges:
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contaminated soils
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industrial / commercial buildings requiring upgrades
SUMMARY – Sustainable Development
“The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by using
the same thinking that created the situation.”
•Albert Einstein
What you can apply immediately:
• Develop a sustainability checklist on projects
• Recommend sustainable solutions to clients
• Adhere to sustainability principles
in your work
• Use Sustainability resources
Ponder this…
If not this way, then how?
If not now, then when?
If not us, then who?
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
individuals can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing
that ever has."
Margaret Mead
Thank you!