Calgary's construction industry embraces clean tech — but wants building owners on board

Recognizing the industry's "huge" environmental footprint, the head of the Calgary Construction Association said he wants to see more carbon neutral features integrated into building designs — but there are some barriers in the way.

CEO Bill Black said the industry highly values any innovations that allow it to build in Calgary, while reducing its carbon footprint. But he said there's one main roadblock: building owners.

"At the end of the day, somebody has to say, 'We need this to be a net-zero building,' or 'We need to put in place schools or hospitals or office buildings or whatever it might be with higher levels of environmental performance.' Then the industry can respond," Black told CBC News.

He said he wants to see owners and governments make sustainability a higher priority.

"I think the mindset needs to change. Stop worrying about how much it will cost you to do carbon-neutral buildings, and start studying what it would cost you if you don't."

That was one of the messages Black conveyed during a panel discussion on Wednesday at an event that rallied industry, elected officials and business leaders to talk about clean technology in Calgary.

It was hosted by New Economy Canada, a new initiative dedicated to driving Canada's economic transformation, which has been visiting clean technology facilities on its cross-country "Getting Things Built" tour.

Carbon Upcycling Technologies' southeast Calgary facility was the second stop on its tour.

The company creates low-carbon cement using technology that captures carbon and mixes it with waste byproduct from steel, mining and energy sectors.

Cement — a key ingredient in concrete — is one of the world's largest industrial CO2 emitters and is responsible for about eight per cent of carbon emissions globally.

Madison Savilow said Carbon Upcycling is trying to change that as consumers and businesses increase their focus on products manufactured in Canada.

"It's cost competitive, it's available, it's local, it reduces the reliance on foreign imports. And that, especially in today's day and age, is really, really important," said Savilow, the company's director of corporate and external affairs.

"Being able to localize the supply chain also allows us to reduce costs in shipping. It allows us to source material that is readily available so it's more accessible and something that will reduce potential shortages in the future while also creating a high performance product."

Black calls it a "made-in-Calgary solution" — proof of the type of projects that can succeed in the city.

Merran Smith, president of New Economy Canada, said the point of spotlighting clean technologies across Canada is to attract investment and create more jobs.

"We have huge opportunities to build these sectors. We have incredible innovators who are creating new technologies. We want to get in the game and not get left behind," said Smith.

"This is the economy of the future and Canada's poised to succeed — we just need to get in there now."