Tune in and listen to a conversation with Metro Vancouver's Zero Emissions Innovation Centre Executive Director Melina Scholefield

SvNSpeaks: Episode 2, How to accelerate and incentivize low carbon building design

In the second episode of SvN Speaks, SvN Principal Sam Dufaux will chat with Melina Scholefield, Executive Director, Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC) about what Canadian cities can do better to accelerate and incentivize low carbon building designs, with a focus on Vancouver and Toronto regions.

As the former Manager of the Sustainability Group and Green Infrastructure for the City Vancouver, Melina has been at the forefront of advancing many of Vancouver’s climate protection programs, including green infrastructure and green building programs.

Melina will provide insights and practical information about how Vancouver was able to make leading strides in accelerating low carbon building designs ahead of most Canadian cities over the last 10 years. She will discuss how her organization (ZEIC) is working with local governments and industry to accelerate climate action in the Vancouver region's green building sector. She will also share insights on a progressive new policy recently approved by Vancouver City Council, that will impose carbon limits on existing buildings, serving as a major new stimulant to building retrofit work in the city and beyond.

This is the second episode of new series, SvN Speaks, that features solution-oriented conversations about the most pressing issues in architecture, planning and urban design. Hosted by various leaders at SvN, each episode will feature expert urbanists and industry professionals from across North America in conversations themed around the urgent need for cities to take bolder action to fight climate change and meet net-zero deadlines. The series is currently running weekly or biweekly every Wednesday at the noon hour on LinkedIn Live. 

About SvN Speaks

SvN Speaks is a new LinkedIn Live series hosted by SvN Architects + Planners that will feature solution-oriented conversations about the most pressing issues in architecture, planning and urban design. Hosted by various practice leaders at the firm, each episode will feature expert urbanists and industry professionals themed around the urgent need for cities to take bolder action to fight climate change that meets net-zero carbon targets and deadlines.  Topics will range from accelerating and incentivizing low-carbon building designs to electrifying and enhancing the carbon sequestration of an entire city grid. Guests will include leading experts from across North America who are making strong headway in these areas, including the cities of Vancouver, San Francisco and New York.