July 13, 2010
Sustainable construction
VIDEO: Green building critical in triple bottom line accounting
Building design and construction standards will undergo significant changes as “triple bottom line” accounting becomes more commonplace in the industry, a Saskatchewan-based economist says.
In addition to just financial performance, the triple bottom line takes into account social and environmental impacts – or, people, planet and profit.
“These form the three pillars for the sustainability of the economy,” economist Graham Parsons told a seminar at the Construction Specifications Canada conference in Saskatoon recently.
“Life cycle analysis is central to triple bottom line accounting,” he noted.
“Increasingly the public looks towards environmental accounts to start to understand and have the information. And with that information they move billions of dollars in the consumer marketplace and in turn lever the corporate marketplace, which also has to comply with an increasing amount of legislation.”
The growing prevalence of triple bottom line accounting will lead to “new engineering practices, new standards, new forms of specifications, new measuring and monitoring, and new forms of integrated accounting,” Parsons said, adding that he thinks these standards are best designed and promoted by “those most directly engaged” in the industry.
Parsons went on to discuss the role of LEED building certification.
“For LEED to be able to apply its practices, which probably cost a little bit more at the start, it needs a receptive market,” he said. “Carbon prices will help with that, but in addition it’s going to take a cultural change on the part of people buying buildings and building buildings.”
Life cycle analysis will likely hasten the acceptance of sustainable construction by underscoring the real cost of buildings over time, Parsons said.
“You can build a cheap box right now, but its emission costs down the road 10 years, at $60-a-tonne carbon, can make that building seem really expensive.”
Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell named to Order of Ontario
The Province of Ontario appointed Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council to the Order of Ontario. Powell was recognized for building a world-class apprenticeship program and earning a reputation as a giving and compassionate organization, with the Order of Ontario.
VIDEO: Buildex Vancouver 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Buildex Vancouver brings together the construction, design and real estate industries on an annual basis into a giant, two day show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
VIDEO: Pre-Construction begins on the Evergreen Line
Pre-construction work has begun on the Evergreen Line, an extension of the Skytrain rapid transit system that currently spans Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and some of Coquitlam. The new line will extend from Coquitlam all the way to Port Moody, alleviating traffic and offering a green alternative to motorized vehicles.
VIDEO: The Vancouver Regional Construction Association's U35 initiative
Construction industry experts have long warned of an "experience gap" between senior management and young workers just entering the sector. Due to the bottoming out of the industry in the 1990s, the industry has lacked a core group of younger managers and executives to take over once the baby boomer generation retires.
Toronto IIDEX trade show to have renewed focus
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) will be a co-presenter of this year’s IIDEX/NeoCon Canada conference and expo, which has traditionally been a contract furniture show but will start placing a greater emphasis on construction products, architecture and technology, the event organizer has announced.
Brook Restoration safety training includes swing stage, hazardous materials
Brook Restoration recently opened its own safety centre. In addition to regular safety training like WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Brook offers training in aspects such as swing stage, boom and elevated work platform, asbestos, lead, Bobcats and confined spaces.
VIDEO: Remembering the Bentall Four
On January 7, 1981, Gunther Couvreux, Brian Stevenson, Donald W. Davis and Yrjo Mitrunen fell thirty-six floors to their deaths when a fly form attached to the Bentall building in downtown Vancouver came loose.
Efficiency is Ontario trades college goal
Ontario’s current apprenticeship system has failed the province’s youth, says the Ontario College of Trades new chair, Ron Johnson.
Ontario College of Trades chair hopes ratios will be reviewed in first two years
Ron Johnson, the new Chair of the Board of Governors of the Ontario College of Trades and Deputy Director of Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario and the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre, said every individual who has an issue with a compulsory certification and ratio review application will have an opportunity to represent their arguments to a review panel.
