SSG Newswire

IN THIS EDITION: Lowering the climate impact of new homes |?Over 100 new US climate action plans | Seasonal joys

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The climate impact of new homes

?Canada needs 5.8 million new homes to restore affordability, according to Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). With new construction, come new greenhouse gas emissions. If construction continues as usual these new homes could lock in 142.7 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, according to research commissioned by the Federal Task Force for Housing and Climate. That’s equivalent to consuming an additional 330,000 barrels of oil per year.?

However, with strong policies, we can prevent locking in this pollution. Communities can focus on constructing more efficient, electrified buildings, create low-concrete bylaws, and more. Learn more in our latest post.?

The findings come from a series of reports commissioned by the task force to understand the climate impact of building 5.8 million homes. SSG’s Land Use Impact Calculator (LUIC) was used as part of the analysis. The LUIC is a free Microsoft Excel add-on for municipalities to explore the potential impacts of residential developments. You can download it here.

Priority Climate Action Plans are In!

On April 1, the EPA had fresh climate action plans from 47 states, 80 regions, and several Tribes. And no, it wasn’t an April Fools joke—the US is experiencing a wave of climate action thanks to Inflation Reduction Act funding. These plans—known as Priority Climate Action Plans—outline shovel-ready climate actions, such as electrifying public transit fleets, supporting low-income communities with energy efficiency retrofits, and developing virtual power plants. The federal government will dole out funds to get these actions going later this year.?

We worked with six regions, one state, and one Tribe on these plans.? Our teams were inspired by the communities’ enthusiasm for renewable energy, support for alternatives to car travel, and increased understanding of how reducing climate pollution improves living conditions and health outcomes, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities.?

We’re now onto phase two of the process: the development of more comprehensive, long-range plans—known as Comprehensive Climate Action Plans—for these communities.

Changing of the seasons

With operations spanning both hemispheres and five time zones, the seasonal experience is quite varied across the SSG workforce. Whether transitioning from winter to spring, or summer to autumn, we are united in our collective love for the markers of the changing of the seasons. Here is a medley of images of seasonal moments that made us smile.??