Abstract Manager

Sustainability is central to the environmental regulatory approach in assessing and approving projects throughout Canada. Jurisdictions across North America are actioning standards and requirements related to sustainable development which are intended to pave the way for environmental and community wide benefits for future generations. The concept of sustainability is also fundamental to planning for resilient infrastructure in the face of intensifying weather events. What is sustainability, what does it mean for a project to be sustainable, and does it correlate to environmental, health, ecological, cultural or socio-community gains and benefits?

This presentation will explore the requirements for conducting a sustainability assessment in consideration of the federal Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the gains that could be attained by the proponent with a view to identifying sustainability and environmental benefits through the Project design process. The presentation will offer a methodological approach to meeting regulatory provisions, including an examination of the differing technical approaches to assessing sustainability through a look at Canadian projects currently under regulatory review. The challenges of applying sustainability principles and environmental net gains during design, and meeting regulatory information requirements will be discussed, along with constructive solutions to realize and maximize environmental and sustainable gains in Project Design through collaboration and systematic assessment.