BC Embodied Carbon Awards Recognize Excellence in Climate-Friendly Building Design
Members of British Columbia’s zero-carbon buildings community recently came together to recognize six individuals, projects, and organizations for their leadership in reducing embodied carbon pollution in the province.
Embodied carbon emissions are produced during the production and transportation of building materials, including steel, concrete, insulation, and glass, during construction and when a building is demolished.
Through its Carbon Leadership Forum British Columbia (CLF British Columbia) program, the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre hosted the second annual BC Embodied Carbon Awards in Vancouver on April 18, 2024. The awards aim to showcase and celebrate leadership and inspire others to reduce embodied carbon in their projects.
The BC Embodied Carbon Awards were made possible through program funding from the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre and City of Vancouver and event sponsors RJC Engineers (Gold), Perkins & Will, hcma, Third Space, and CLF Toronto (Silver), and reLoad Sustainable Design, Carbon Wise, and Equilibrium (Bronze).
The judges for each of the six categories, which are all members of the CLF British Columbia Volunteer Group, handed out the awards at the Ventura Room in Vancouver.
The winners include the following.
Organizational Commitment to Change: ZGF Architects
This award recognizes a company or organization that has shown exemplary leadership in reducing embodied carbon in British Columbia’s built environment.
Public Sector Leadership: University of British Columbia
This award recognizes a British Columbia-based local government, public sector organization, or non-profit organization that has demonstrated exemplary leadership in reducing embodied carbon in British Columbia’s built environment.
Large Buildings: North Island College Student Housing, HDR Architecture
This award recognizes a large new development or a substantial renovation of a large building that demonstrates excellence in low-embodied-carbon design and construction . The relevant local government or permitting authority must classify the recognized building(s) under Part 3 of the building code.
Small Buildings: Phoenix House, Carbon Wise
This award category recognizes excellence in low-embodied-carbon design in a small new project such as a single-family home or laneway home, or a substantial renovation of an existing single-family home or smaller building. The relevant local government or permitting authority must classify the recognized building(s) under Part 9 of the building code.
Commitment to Circularity: Renewal Development
This award recognizes exceptional initiatives and projects that embrace and tangibly advance circularity or circular concepts within British Columbia’s buildings sector.
Strengthening the Practice: Anthony Pak
This award recognizes a building sector professional who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to reducing embodied carbon across British Columbia’s built environment. Note: This is a nomination-based award.
“As all levels of government look to accelerate the delivery of housing, it becomes even more critical to consider the carbon impacts of more high-rise buildings and greater use of high-carbon materials such as conventional concrete,” said Lisa Dominato, councillor, City of Vancouver and chair, climate action committee, Metro Vancouver:
“These award-winning projects and organizations have shown us that addressing embodied emissions through the lifecycle of a building is an essential, strategic, and cost-effective way to reduce emissions while creating new housing and commercial space, local and regional economic development, and jobs. We are grateful to the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre and its Carbon Leadership Forum British Columbia program for their work to bring together and strengthen the diverse community of practitioners leading the way on climate action within the building sector in Vancouver and BC.”
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