荔枝视频

What is a zero carbon building? According to the  (CaGBC), a zero-carbon building is a highly energy-efficient building that produces carbon-free renewable energy onsite or high-quality carbon offsets to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with building materials and operations. They represent the industry鈥檚 best opportunity for cost-effective emissions reductions that spur innovation in design, building materials and technology, creating jobs and business opportunities. 

At U荔枝视频, the MacKimmie Complex Redevelopment has made a significant contribution to advancing Canada鈥檚 green building industry, earning the team one of Canada鈥檚 highest green building honours: the  from the CaGBC. This award is presented annually to a team responsible for a new or existing building that demonstrates climate leadership through optimal building performance and innovative carbon reduction strategies. 

• Pictured above: Joanne Perdue and Boris Dragicevic with the Zero Carbon Green Building Excellence Award. Photo by Riley Brandt, 荔枝视频

鈥淯荔枝视频 is striving to be a carbon neutral campus by 2050, and this award is confirmation that we are on our way to reaching this goal alongside Canada鈥檚 national carbon reduction goals,鈥� says Joanne Perdue, AVP sustainability. 鈥淯荔枝视频 is honoured to win the Zero Carbon Green Building Excellence Award from the Canada Green Building Council, and we would like to thank the talented team who worked on MacKimmie Complex for their leadership.鈥� 

On the path to achieving the 2020 Zero Carbon Green Building Excellence Award, the project first won the Alberta Zero Carbon Building Award thanks to the  that helped the project realize its goal to be one of the most energy efficient buildings of its type in Canada. On completion of the Block building, approximately 600 kilowatts of photovoltaic panels will be installed. 

According to the , buildings and construction are responsible for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions in the world, and projects like MacKimmie Complex contribute to reducing this by incorporating less carbon-intensive materials and enabling zero-carbon operations. MacKimmie Complex specifically minimizes energy use and maximizes on-site renewable energy production, and is on track to consume 80 per cent less energy than the former MacKimmie Complex building did. U荔枝视频鈥檚 investments in energy efficiency are focused on lowering the cost of campus infrastructure over its lifetime and decreasing the harmful impacts of climate change.  

鈥淭he Zero Carbon Award recognizes the 荔枝视频鈥檚 climate leadership by applying technical innovation and creativity in its approach to the massive MacKimmie Complex Redevelopment,鈥� says Thomas Mueller, president and CEO, CaGBC. 鈥淭he double-skin fa莽ade with active shading systems and building-integrated renewable energy generation, along with other advanced features, will have a transformative effect on the campus, and other post-secondary institutions in Canada.

As an early adopter of the Zero Carbon Building Standard, this project supports the university鈥檚 ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and demonstrates that the time for action on climate change is now.

What does it take to be a national zero carbon leader? 

The answer? An unshakeable vision and commitment to climate leadership, and a talented team passionate  enough to make this vision a reality.  

鈥淭he MacKimmie Complex team was dedicated to exceeding high-performance green buildings standards and sustainable site practices,鈥� says Boris, AVP, facilities development. 鈥淔rom the attention and detail they paid to enabling the health, well-being and comfort of our campus community in this building, and ensuring renewables and energy efficiency were primary components of this project, I applaud our team鈥檚 climate leadership and thank them for their unwavering efforts and creativity.鈥� 

The amazing work of this team also landed MacKimmie Complex another honour, certification through  the . This certification is awarded to new buildings and the retrofit of existing ones, to best empower buildings to achieve zero-carbon operations. It verifies that buildings, such as the MacKimmie Complex, are designed to achieve zero-carbon operations year after year. The MacKimmie Complex is the first certified zero-carbon building in the province and the largest project in Canada to be certified under the ZCB-Design Standard.  

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of every zero-carbon and renewable feature that we鈥檝e been able to design into MacKimmie Complex,鈥� says Dragicevic. 鈥淭hrough projects like this, we are able to meet the goals outlined in U荔枝视频鈥檚 Institutional Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan.鈥�  

The 荔枝视频鈥檚 Institutional Sustainability Strategy provides a road map for continuous improvement in our pursuit of excellence and leadership in sustainability. We aim to be a Canadian post-secondary education leader in sustainability in our academic and engagement programs, administrative and operational practices and through supporting community and industry in their aims for leadership in sustainability. Learn more about U荔枝视频鈥檚 leadership in sustainability.