It’s easy to take buildings for granted, but the structures we occupy every day actually have tremendous implications for climate change, waste management and the circular economy.
An Urban Planet
Currently, more than half of the human population lives in cities, and this is expected to reach 68% by 2050 – and this rapid growth will require the construction of millions of new buildings. Meanwhile, the global construction industry is estimated to account for half of our all GHG emissions, and in North America, consumes about 40% of all raw materials.
The good news is that new technologies, methods and materials offer promising opportunities to vastly decrease the waste and greenhouse gas emissions generated from the built environment.
‘Green’ Architecture
From alternative building materials, to modular construction and design for longevity, circular economy principles are being recognized by governments and businesses as ways to lessen the environmental impacts of the built environment while increasing livability.
The Zero Waste Conference is pleased to welcome award-winning architect Michael Green, Architect & Principal of MGA, as a keynote speaker.
“We’re facing a climate crisis, an environmental crisis and an affordability crisis – all of which demand systemic changes in the way we make our buildings.†– Michael Green
Known for his research, leadership, and advocacy in promoting innovation in the built environment, as well as his involvement in some of the world’s most innovative and sustainable buildings over the past decade, Michael first joined us eight years ago (ZWC2012) as part of a real-time design challenge.
In his keynote at #ZWC20, Michael will highlight how the traditional ways of designing and constructing buildings need to shift and will present examples of innovative approaches that will reduce waste and change our experience of the built environment.
The Forefront of Innovative Building Design
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Michael founded MGA (Michael Green Architecture) to create meaningful and sustainable change in building through innovation in construction sciences and design. Michael and his team are ambitiously extending the boundaries of mass timber construction, having completed some of the largest modern timber buildings in the world.
Michael is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and has been honoured with North America’s most prestigious awards, including two RAIC Innovation Awards and three Governor General’s Medals. He is the co-author of ‘The Case for Tall Wood Buildings,’ now in its second edition, and ‘Tall Wood Buildings: Design, Construction and Performance.’
Register now for the 2020 Zero Waste Conference to hear how the way our modern world is built can change for the better.
Registration is now open for the virtual 2020 Zero Waste Conference.
2020 Zero Waste Conference:
Resiliency, Prosperity, Carbon Neutrality – The Circular Economy Solution
November 13, 2020
Virtual Conference