Legal Framework for ESG

Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) factors have become key considerations for investors locally and globally.  ESG signals a move by lenders and investors towards companies and projects that promote positive environmental, social, and corporate governance initiatives. The keynote address will provide an overview of ESG and set the stage for a discussion of how brownfield projects intersect and fit within the ESG framework to promote responsible land development.

Presenter:
Joanna Vince, B.Sc. (Hons.), J.D., Partner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

 

This session will focus on how the environmental objectives in an ESG program can be met when redeveloping brownfields by using sustainable practices, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and urban intensification.

Methods to Promote Nature-Based Solutions in the Management of Contaminated Sites in a Changing Climate

As contaminated site management moves toward risk management rather than resource intensive remediation, information and computing technologies (ICT) will be increasingly applied. These advances have resulted in the development of methods for the estimation of natural attenuation rates in the subsurface. While historically, the focus has been on biodegradation processes occurring in the saturated zone and impacts to groundwater, review of literature and guidance support the greater role of natural depletion processes and pathways in the vadose zone. This presentation provides an overview of the natural source zone depletion (NSZD) processes and pathways along with methods for the quantification of the rates. The estimated rates can be used as metrics to inform decision making in the selection and performance monitoring of remedial systems.

In parallel to sustainable remediation, climate resiliency measures factor into the site management process, based on climate change projections that can be region and site specific. These projections include sea level rise, flooding, precipitation, wildfires and land erosion as identified in various guidance on climate adaptation for remediation of contaminated sites. In addition, high subsurface complexity, varying land and local weather conditions strongly impact contaminant fate and transport to make each site unique.  Addressing the uniqueness of sites in a changing climate requires 1) sustainable remediation for reducing the environmental footprint; and 2) adapting to the climate change impacts by considering remedial timeframes and performance monitoring of remedial systems.

Presenter:
Parisa Jourabchi (Ph.D., P.Eng.), Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, ARIS Environmental Ltd.

Catalyzing Brownfield Revitalization for Regenerative Development

In this session, participants will learn about the significant triple bottom line impacts that the revitalization of underutilized lands through regenerative development brings to communities and cities. Drawing on international and local case studies and examples from her own experience and expertise working on major revitalization projects across Canada, and now as a board member for the Thames Estuary Growth board in the UK, Carla will explore the key approaches and strategies to revitalizing underutilized lands.

Given urban growth pressures, climate change impacts and the strained economic conditions of our cities, the opportunity to revitalize our post industrial, underutilized waterfront lands is both timely and unparalleled. Post industrial underutilized waterfronts present some of the largest unrealized potential for cities around the world. Waterfront revitalization creates exponential opportunity for addressing key challenges that cities face like reducing urban sprawl, mitigating and adapting to climate change, generating economic return on investment and creating social equity for cities. Successful case studies and lessons learned from globally award-winning revitalization projects demonstrating regenerative development. These projects have transformed cities to achieve significant social, environmental and economic impacts that have had ripple effects across the cities and region.

Presenter:
Carla Guerrara, Founder & CEO, Purpose Driven Development & Planning

Leveraging Large Scale Brownfield Developments to Enhance Climate Change Adaptation and Carbon Reduction Strategies

Leveraging Large Scale Brownfield Developments to Enhance Climate Change Adaptation and Carbon Reduction Strategies"

This presentation explores opportunities to use large scale brownfield developments as a catalyst to promote the inclusion of design features that enhance the implementation of climate change adaptation opportunities and/or to include community wide carbon reduction strategies.  Rather than being a review of projects or specific technologies the intent of this presentation is to provide a summary of items, tasks, technologies or actions to consider in the redevelopment of a brownfield site.  It is further a challenge to brownfield professionals, planners, designers, regulators and site owners to critically consider these options.

This presentation will explore the following themes:
Selecting the right level of acceptable environmental risk for the site’s use and implementing human health and ecological risk assessment to allow for the in situ management of historic impacts, and thereby reducing carbon intensive remedial activities.
The use of low occupancy/low exposure sites (e.g., pump stations, district energy centres, energy storage, bright field sites/solar farms, data storage and telecommunication sites, public parking, etc. ) on otherwise challenging brownfields.
The benefits of using brownfield developments to combat urban sprawl and the associated reduction of carbon emissions related to reduced transportation.
Climate change adaptation through stormwater management opportunities.
In addition to these themes, the presentation will explore some of the key items presented in the US-EPA's recent (June 2021) publication, "Climate Smart Brownfields Manual"

Presenter:
Tom Grimminck, Partner, Dillon Consulting Limited

Moderator:
Ben Sweet, MEng, Director, Environmental Technologies, QM Environmental

 

 

 

 

Social aspects of ESG resonate through brownfield projects that bring a whole host of societal benefits. Several themes within social will be highlighted through project presentations involving brownfields and energy independence, socio-economic well-being, education and training, and affordable housing.

Former Fraser Cedar Mill Site and IR5 Remediation and Restoration

The Fraser Cedar site is an important Fraser River foreshore area on Kwantlen Indian Reserve No. 1, in Whonnock. ‘IR5’ is Kwantlen Indian Reserve No. 5, located across and upriver from the community. Both sites are subject to historical contamination; one the result of a former cedar mill and the other a former landfill. These areas were traditionally used by ancestors of the Kwantlen people, and continues to be an important area for Kwantlen’s future generations.

Seyem’Qwantlen and Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc. established a joint venture to complete the remediation of the mill site and subsequently the former landfill as the partnership has expanded in scope and capacity. Numerous technical challenges were overcome through innovative approaches, and each illustrate an evolution of working collaboratively and respectfully with Kwantlen First Nation, various levels of government,  consultants, and others to remediate each site for development and the use and benefit of future generations of the Kwantlen people.

The ESG Social aspects of this project include:

• Developing the JV with Kwantlen FN that addressed the immediate need/opportunity of the first project while building capacity for the second and subsequent projects,
• Generating revenue opportunities contributing to the socio-economic health of the Nation through each and ongoing projects,
• Successfully completing a brownfield remediations on-reserve in areas with significant social and cultural history, and significant value for future use,
• Working with the Nation and Nation owned business to develop a long-term relationship with active projects to this day, and the associated benefits of this project, and
• Developing a sound governance structure to support the partnership and the relationship between Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc., Seyem’Qwantlen, and Kwantlen First Nation.

Presenters:
Drew Atkins / Nəq̓ɑɬc̓I
Gavin Domitter, National Manager, Indigenous Relations & Business Development, Milestone Environmental Contracting

Northlands Denesuline First Nation

The Northlands Denesuline First Nation in Manitoba is a remote, Northern community, a 24hr drive from Winnipeg on winter roads. This community was one of a few communities completely reliant on diesel. The latest diesel contamination was at the community’s only school. Instead of conducting remediation alone, the community devised a plan to eliminate all future diesel spills by integrating green energy systems in their community. This project included 1000 solar panels, district biomass heating, and geothermal energy.

This innovative project that started with remediation has created energy sovereignty, and freed up significant budget to invest directly in their community. Hear why this innovative project is so important for communities in the face of community well-being, job security, and climate change.

Presenters:
Reanne Ridsdale, PhD Candidate, X University
Donny Sousa, General Superintendent, Milestone Environmental Contracting

Brownfields and Affordable Housing in Hamilton

As housing affordability continues to decline, underutilized and vacant brownfield sites provide a unique opportunity to provide new housing in existing urbanized areas.  This presentation will focus on examples of such developments occurring in the City of Hamilton and include a discussion of the City’s recent use of Community Improvement Plans and financial assistance/incentive programs to further promote affordable housing projects in the City, including forthcoming opportunities through the City’s upcoming review of its Environmental Remediation and Site Enhancement (ERASE) financial assistance programs for brownfields.

Presenter:
Phillip Caldwell, RPP, MCIP, Senior Project Manager, Commercial Districts and Small Business Section, City of Hamilton

Moderator:
Tanisha Monster, Business Development, Milestone Environmental Contracting

 

The Governance Session explores how innovative real-estate investments/initiatives are pioneering the integration of ESG and brownfield development. The session will provide insights on some governing frameworks, strategies and outcome management metrics used by our speakers to integrate brownfield outcomes into their broader corporate ESG mandates and implement ESG into redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Presenter:
Aaron Barter, Director, Innovation and Sustainability, Waterfront Toronto

Missing Links: Leveraging Brownfield Expertise Across An Organization

How are brownfields defined by various ESG rating agencies and building standards? What demands exist elsewhere in your organization for successful brownfield management that you may not be aware of? How important is your ESG and brownfield management to lenders and insurers and how can internal teams best coordinate to gather information and highlight wins with success? These are some of the questions brownfield professionals need to think of in 2022 and will be addressed in this session.

Presenter:
Clayton Reynolds, Vice President, ESG and Risk Solutions, Marsh

Moderator:
Suvish Melanta, Associate, Grounded Engineering

How are companies using ESG criteria to facilitate responsible management? How can ESG considerations help identify risks and opportunities that could affect a company’s long-term sustainability? This session will explore how elements of ESG affect strategy development, decision-making, investment, and delivery in the real world.

Panellists:
Janet L. Bobechko, Partner, Certified Specialist Environmental Law, WeirFoulds LLP
Paula Hutchison, P.Eng.(ON), Principal, Geosyntec Consultants
Bozena Jankowska, Managing Director and Global Head of ESG, Slate Asset Management
Lisa Prime, MCIP RPP, LEEP AP, Chief Planner, City of Cambridge

Moderator:
Monisa Nandi, Senior Environmental PM, Soil and Groundwater Quality, City of Toronto

 

Since 2016 CBN has recognized brownfielders who are making a significant contribution to the progress of brownfield redevelopment in Canada.

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