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Increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the conventional fleet of diesel buses has made Canadian transit agencies explore low-emission alternative fuels. Despite electric buses showing great potential to reduce emissions during their operational phase, the transformation from diesel buses to electric buses would require in-depth analysis pertaining to their economic and social implications. Published literature highlights the importance of developing a comprehensive framework that considers multiple decision parameters over a life cycle perspective for analyzing different fuel options to replace the existing fleet of diesel buses. This paper assesses the triple-bottom-line sustainability of diesel and electric buses in different regions of Canada. Moreover, a framework is proposed to incorporate multiple decision criteria (life cycle environmental, economic, and social impacts) over different perspectives to make the best decisions for transitioning the diesel bus fleet. The results showed that the environmental performance of electric buses highly depended on the electricity grid mix. Despite diesel buses having a low cost of production compared to electric buses, most provinces showed a low life cycle operational cost for electric buses. Electric buses' life cycle social impacts are high during their production stage, whereas diesel buses have the highest social impacts during their operational phase. Overall, electric buses have a high sustainability performance in all provinces and territories in Canada except Nunavut. The proposed framework and findings can aid policymakers and planners in implementing electric buses for public transit systems in Canada and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased intensity of floods has become an emerging phenomenon in British Columbia, Canada. Flooding causes significant damage to properties and the built environment. The flood damage is magnified by the unthoughtful location choices for settlements and incoherent land use policies. This has severely restricted the capacity to build resilience to adapt to the unpredictable challenges of floods. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the current state of the floodplain maps that entail the spatial distribution of floods and the associated risks to the communities is paramount. Therefore, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) attempted to identify pathways to increase awareness of the current state of the floodplain maps and prepare an updated inventory and its vitality to build resilient communities. The survey results suggested that 38.5% of the communities have created or updated their floodplain maps since 2015, and 62% of the maps meet the British Columbia Flood Hazard Area Land Use Management Guidelines. However, a survey conducted in 2020 suggested an increase in the response rate by 12.8%, which indicates a growing urgency to mitigate flood risks. Due to a lack of expertise and pertinent knowledge, 46% of the communities could not create or update the floodplain maps. In addition, the lack of provincial funding was identified as a key impediment to the floodplain mapping that was experienced by 37.5% of the communities. A schematic perception–action–state–accessibility–usage (PASAU) framework was proposed in this study to confirm the current state of floodplain mapping. The British Columbia, Canada, regions were ranked following a fuzzy rule-based approach to assess the nature and status of preparations for floodplain maps. The result suggests that the Northern Territories, Canada, lie at the low and others are at the medium scale. Communities that scored low were attributed to a lack of funding, in-house expertise, data, and planning endeavors. This study suggested actions for different tiers of the government to make the communities safer and more resilient. The frequency and impacts of flooding are increasing in British Columbia, Canada. The location choices for settlements and incoherent land use policies have increased the intensity of its impact. This stems from the need for floodplain maps that show the spatial distribution of floods and associated risks. The BCREA prepared an updated floodplain maps inventory from 2015. A survey found that 38% of the communities have created or updated their floodplain maps since then. The survey revealed an increased response (12.8%) and a growing urgency to mitigate flood risks. A lack of expertise and pertinent in-house expertise, data, and provincial funding were identified as the key impediments to the absence or lack of updates on the floodplain maps. In this study, a schematic PASAU framework was proposed to confirm the current state of floodplain mapping. The British Columbia, Canada, regions were ranked to assess the preparation status for floodplain maps. In the preparation and updating of floodplain maps, the Northern Territories, Canada, lie at the low and others at the medium level, and a few communities scored low. To make the communities safer and more resilient, a few actions on planning, management, and governance were suggested for adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction has become exceedingly relevant against the current scenario of increasing housing demand and can respond to this need in Canada due to its advantages of rapid construction. However, a holistic environmental sustainability framework for this construction method is still lacking. This paper proposes a hierarchical-based framework to benchmark the environmental performance of modular buildings versus conventional buildings. The framework identifies criteria and indicators affecting environmental sustainability, makes composite indicators, and establishes performance benchmarks. Based on expert survey, six criteria (construction waste management, energy performance and efficiency strategies, site disruption and appropriate strategies, renewable and environmentally preferable products, regional materials, and renewable energy use) are first identified. The related indicators and sub-indicators are combined to develop indices using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. Robust benchmark scales were established through application of Monte Carlo analysis on data collected through experts. Finally, the developed indices were compared against the benchmark scales at different assessment levels. The proposed framework was examined for two single-family modular buildings in British Columbia, Canada. The overall environmental performance benchmarking informs the policy makers on the usefulness of modular buildings, while the criteria-level indices direct the construction industry practitioners to improve the low performing indicators. The proposed framework will enhance the sustainability of modular and offsite construction in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hydrogen-based transportation has gained popularity and has presented significant growth over the past few years, providing an excellent platform for capitalizing on natural resources while attaining global carbon policies and sustainability targets. However, lack of infrastructure, cost of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel, and absence of established hydrogen supply chains have been identified as critical challenges of hydrogen-based mobility. Despite current studies predominantly focusing on hydrogen-fueled passenger vehicles and related infrastructure, it was identified that the impacts of hydrogen fuel supply chain for freight transportation from a life cycle thinking perspective have been largely overlooked. This article aims at critically reviewing the existing body-of-knowledge on the current status of hydrogen fueling supply chain and exploring the potential of integrating hydrogen fuel for road freight transportation. Accordingly, the current status of alternative fuel use for freight transportation is discussed over technical, economic, and environmental dimensions outlining its benefits and challenges. Moreover, the pertinence of innovative and established methods of hydrogen production, distribution, and storage for freight transportation are evaluated based on a comprehensive literature review. This study reveals that the transformation of freight transportation into low-emission alternative fuels would require a comprehensive multicriteria assessment that includes technical, economic, environmental, and social feasibilities over the life cycle of the freight vehicle and the fuel supply chain. Moreover, decision parameters affecting the optimal fuel selection process were established through this study, while providing insights on the future prospects for hydrogen-fueled freight transformation in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater are three components of an Urban Water System. Maintenance of these components requires evaluation of the existing performance of the water system. The evaluation becomes more significant in small and medium-sized water systems because these systems wrestle with various constraints, such as insufficient funds, inadequate infrastructure and water governance. In this study, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are identified for each UWS component considering six performance criteria. A questionnaire was distributed to water utilities across the Okanagan Valley. KPIs were identified by combining Delphi technique and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation methods. Ninety-six KPIs were identified with 39, 30, and 27 KPIs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Based on the available literature, agriculture water use, low impact development implementation (LID), average annual life cycle investment, and swimming advisories are a few notable KPIs that are unique to the Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooded streets and homes, polluted surface waters, degraded aquatic habitats, stressed aquifers, and expensive drainage infrastructures are evidence that Canada's current approach to stormwater management requires rethinking. To address these challenges, the authors developed an integrated community-level urban stormwater decision support framework. The framework assesses low impact development infrastructure, traditional stormwater infrastructure, and community-level stormwater reuse schemes to better understand the interactions between various water resources in the context of various stormwater management strategies. The framework also incorporates stochastic variation in natural processes to predict a community's water footprint using the One Water Approach. A climate change sensitivity analysis is also incorporated to test proposed stormwater systems for resiliency to climate change. Fuzzy clustering analysis was then performed to identify the most appropriate stormwater management strategy. A case study demonstration of the framework was performed for a hypothetical 80-hectare mixed-use urban community in Kelowna, British Columbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to estimate the nexus between energy insecurity and energy poverty with the role of climate change and other environmental concerns. We used DEA like WP methods and properties of MCDA, a most common form of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the nexus between constructs. This paper presents a measurement and analysis of G7 countries' energy, economic, social, and environmental performance associated with energy poverty indexes. The study used the multiple, comprehensive, and relevant set of indicators, including energy economics and environmental consideration of energy poverty. The net energy consumption of al G7 economies is equal to 34 percent of the entire world along with the net estimate GDP score of around 50 percent. Using DEA modelling and estimation technique, our research presented valuable insights for readers, theorists and policy makers on energy, environment, energy poverty and climate change mitigation. For this reasons, all these indicators combined in a mathematical composite indicator to measure energy, economic, social, and environmental performance index (EPI). Results show that Canada has the highest EPII score, which shows that Canada's capacity to deal with energy self-sufficiency, economic development, and environmental performance is greater than the other G7 countries. France and Italy rank second and third. Japan comes next with 0.50 EPI scores, while the USA has the lowest average EPI score environment vulnerable even though have higher economic development among the G7 group countries. We suggest a policy framework to strengthen the subject matter of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Canada, the residential building sector consumes 17 % of the total energy and 15 % of the total greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the energy demand for cooling in the residential sector is increasing due to the large occupancy floor area and high usage of air conditioning. Minimizing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions is one of the highest priority goals set for national energy management strategies in developed countries including Canada. In this study, a framework based on the life cycle assessment approach is developed to assess the environmental impacts of different building cooling systems, namely conventional snow storage system, watertight snow storage system, high-density snow storage system, and the conventional chiller cooling system. Moreover, all these systems have varying energy requirements and associated environmental impacts during different phases (extraction and construction, utilization, and end of life) of the life cycle of a building. A low-rise residential building in Kelowna (BC, Canada) has been selected for the pragmatic application of the proposed framework. The annual cooling energy demand for the building is estimated for different phases. Subsequently, the life cycle impact assessment has been carried out using SimaPro 8.1 software and TRACI 2.1 method. For sustainability evaluation of different cooling systems over their life cycle, multi-criteria decision analysis has been employed using the 'Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE II).' The results showed that the snow storage systems tend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and associated environmental impacts more than the conventional system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrasion of tires on road surfaces leads to the formation of tire and road wear particles (TRWPs). Approximately 5.9 million tonnes/year of TRWPs are emitted globally, and 12–20% of emissions generated on roads are transmitted into surface waters, where they can release (i.e., leach) chemical compounds that adversely affect aquatic species. To better understand the ecological risk of TRWPs, an acute, probabilistic ecological risk assessment model was developed and applied. This was a screening-level, conceptual ecological risk assessment (ERA) based on secondary data from published scientific studies. The model was demonstrated using British Columbia (BC) Highway 97 (TRWP source) and Kalamalka Lake (receiving water) in Canada, considering two spatial scenarios with varied highway (HWY) lengths and lake volumes. TRWP-derived chemical leachates considered for ERA were aniline, anthracene (ANT), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), fluoranthene (Fl), mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and zinc (Zn). An assumed 'total TRWP-derived leachate set' was also assessed, representing all compounds present in tire-derived leachate test solutions. The results indicated the risk to aquatic species in two spatial scenarios. In scenario 1, ecotoxicity risk was high from exposure to TRWP-derived zinc and the total TRWP-derived leachate set. Scenario 2 results indicated acute risk was high from all TRWP-derived chemicals examined, except MBT. This preliminary ecological risk screening provides an early signal that freshwater lakes adjacent to busy highways may be at risk from TRWP contamination, indicating a need for further research. This research is the first ERA of TRWPs in Canada, and the results and methodology provide a foundation for future research and solutions development. [Display omitted] • Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) are a major source of micropolymer • Ecological risk assessment (ERA) was conducted to assess the risk of TRWPs. • Two scenarios were developed by considering lake spatial factors. • The risk quotients for both scenarios ranged from 4.3E-05 to 2.5E+02. • ERA results can assist in minimizing the impacts of TRWPs in surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

About 95% of the water supply systems in Canada are being operated by small-to-medium-sized water utilities (SMWU) serving populations less than 50,000. The representation of these utilities in National Water and Wastewater Benchmarking Initiative (NWWBI) is almost negligible due to less awareness, issues related to data availability, and financial constraints. In the present work, an inter-utility performance benchmarking model (IU-PBM) is developed, which entails consideration of 47 performance indicators (PIs) for different functional components of SMWU, such as water resources and environment, personnel, physical assets, quality of service, water quality and public health, and financial aspects. For performance benchmarking, 47 (linear, exponential, logarithmic, and polynomial) transformation functions have been established to translate the calculated PIs into performance levels between 10 and 100, which is based on literature, NWWBI reports, and expert judgment. The weights are estimated using a specific method from the literature for ranking of PIs by different water utilities in the Okanagan basin, British Columbia, Canada, and opinions of experts working in water infrastructure management. Finally, performance indices have been established by aggregating the transformed performance levels using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) (i.e., based on the concept of relative closeness to the most desirable performance and remoteness from the least desirable performance). The IU-PBM results presented in the form of a web diagram demonstrate the utility's performance to the top management for pragmatic decision making. The proposed model has also been implemented for two SMWU operating in Okanagan Basin to evaluate its practicality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air emissions generated in grey cement manufacturing originate primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels required to heat the kiln and the chemical reaction of raw materials in the pyroprocessing phase. Given that the kiln system is enclosed, air emissions generated, discharge from a single point source kiln stack. Unlike other industries, the point source kiln stack enables the cement sector to accurately monitor and record total air emissions. The largest contributors to air emissions from grey cement manufacturing are carbon dioxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO), sulphur dioxide (SO) and dust/particulate matter (PM). In Canada, grey cement manufacturing facilities are required to annually report these emissions through the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). Since CO, NO, SO and PM are the largest contributors to air emissions, and Canadian grey cement facilities are required to report these emissions, combining NPRI data with annual grey cement production data allows for the development of intensity-based environmental performance indicators. Based on data provided by NPRI, in combination with industry production, we can better understand the environmental performance of Canada's grey cement manufacturing. On the global stage, intensity-based performance measures provide a useful tool for comparison and demonstrate a strong environmental performance for grey cement production in Canada. As an energy intensive and trade exposed (EITE) grey cement manufacturing is vulnerable to unbalanced environmental policy, which may ultimately result in leakage of production and air emissions to developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated by the Canadian construction industry accounts for 27 % of the total municipal solid waste disposed in landfills. However, it is evident that over 75 % of what the construction industry generates as waste has a residual value, and therefore could be recycled, salvaged and/or reused. The need for comprehensive and integrated waste management mechanisms, technologies, rating systems and policies is widely recognized. Owing to increasing C&D waste volumes, shortage of landfills and long-term adverse environmental, economic and social impacts of the disposed C&D waste, sustainable C&D waste management is becoming increasingly essential to protect public health and natural ecosystems. This paper proposes a conceptual C&D waste management framework to maximise the 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) and minimise the disposal of construction waste by implementing sustainable and comprehensive strategy throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. In addition, a life cycle based C&D waste sustainability index is developed. This approach can be used to make decisions related to selection of material, sorting, recycle/reuse and treatment or disposal options for C&D waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The potential for generation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pools is high due to the concentrations of chlorine required to maintain adequate disinfection, and the presence of organics introduced by the swimmers. Health Canada set guidelines for trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water; however, no such guideline exists for swimming pool waters. Exposure occurs through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact in swimming pools. In this research, a multimedia model is developed to evaluate exposure concentrations of THMs in the air and water of an indoor swimming pool. THM water concentration data were obtained from 15 indoor swimming pool facilities in Quebec (Canada). A level III fugacity model is used to estimate inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion exposure doses. The results of the proposed model will be useful to perform a human health risk assessment and develop risk management strategies including developing health-based guidelines for disinfection practices and the design of ventilation system for indoor swimming pools. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Source water protection (SWP) is the most important step in the implementation of a multi-barrier approach that ensures cost-effective delivery of safe drinking water. However, implementing SWP strategies can be a challenging task owing to technical and administrative issues. Decision support tools for effective implementation of SWP strategies can be very helpful that may lead to saving time and resources. This paper critically reviews different SWP strategies available for surface waters and also discusses various formulations for water quality assessment at the source. Source water quality regulations in Canada and other jurisdictions around the world are also discussed. Stormwater management ponds, vegetated filter strips, pollution control by effective agricultural practice (e.g., cover crop and crop rotation) and fencing are found to be frequently mentioned in those regulations. These strategies are discussed in details in terms of their key features to achieve the highest possible removal efficiencies for selected water quality parameters. Finally, a conceptual model is proposed to evaluate water quality changes at the source based on selected source water protection strategies. The model uses SWP strategies as a means to reduce possible pollutants in the source water. It also utilizes simple mass balance equations (dilution) to estimate the concentrations in the receiving water bodies and does not consider physico-chemical and other reactions. A surrogate measure, water quality index (WQI), based on selected water quality parameters, is used for the assessment of source water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy retrofits have been identified as key to realizing climate mitigation goals in Canada. However, retrofit solutions that only produce greenhouse gas emission savings can place economic burdens on residential building owners and hinder the community penetration of building energy retrofitting projects. Therefore, investigating trade-offs between environmental and economic impacts of retrofitting is essential to identify optimal retrofit strategies that can produce emissions savings while delivering economic benefits for the stakeholders. This paper proposes a community-level building energy retrofit evaluation framework for residential buildings. The proposed framework evaluates building energy retrofits using a multi-objective optimization approach that accounts for associated life cycle economic and environmental impacts. Life cycle CO 2 emissions were selected as the indicator for environmental performance. The net present value of the cash flows involved in a given retrofit project throughout the project life cycle was selected as the economic performance indicator. Building energy simulation results were combined with economic and environmental impact data to quantify these performance indicators. The performance results were used to identify Pareto-optimal retrofit solutions. The results indicate that retrofitting existing residential buildings can produce considerable emission reductions (up to 245.1 tonCO 2 eq/residence) and cost savings (up to 12,900 $/residence). Moreover, retrofit packages should prioritize upgrading building envelope insulation and space heating systems. This study introduces a decision support tool for community-level retrofit planners that can account for life cycle environmental and life cycle economic performance of retrofitting while fulfilling capital investment constraints. • Energy retrofits were evaluated using life cycle assessment and cost analysis. • The trade-offs between life cycle emissions and costs were explored. • Optimal retrofit packages for residential buildings were identified. • Natural gas heated buildings should be prioritized for retrofitting. • Strategies for promoting community-level retrofit programs were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial Incentives (FIs) for green buildings are a major component of energy policy planning and play a vital role in the promotion of sustainable development and carbon mitigation strategies. Despite the presence of numerous FIs in Canada, there is still a lack of understanding on their distribution and effectiveness. This review first investigates the FIs available for residential and commercial buildings in Canada, and then performs a comprehensive review of studies related to FIs' effectiveness evaluation. It is found that FIs for buildings in Canada can be distributed into four categories: tax, loans, grants, and rebates. Among these, rebates from utility providers are the most common and are administered in all provinces. In addition to these, special incentives are available for three end-users (low-income, aboriginal people, landlords and tenants) and for three types of buildings (heritage, non-profit and energy rated). A clear contrast is observed on FIs offered in three regulatory regimes (Federal, provincial and municipal). Four provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec) are leading in green building efforts. The in-depth literature review was also used to develop an understanding on the criteria used in effectiveness evaluation and the factors impacting effectiveness. Based on the findings of different studies on FIs effectiveness, a generic approach for evaluation of FIs is proposed that can help in deploying successful FIs programs. The results of this review are of importance to the policymakers, government authorities, and utilities engaged in designing and improving FIs for energy efficient buildings. • Reviews financial incentives (FIs) present for green buildings in Canada. • Determines Canadas' FIs vary with respect to number, type, and location. • Identifies factors impacting effectiveness of FIs. • Finds predominant criteria in FIs effectiveness evaluation studies. • Provides approach for evaluation of effectiveness of FIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the environmental performance of built environments has received wider interest in the recent past. Asset management is an under-utilized strategy to enhance and maintain desired environmental performance of a building at low life cycle costs (LCC). Current asset management decision-making methods are not fully capable of incorporating future technological changes and complex time sensitive environmental demands. There is a knowledge gap in incorporating factors such as environmental performance, risk and time sensitivity to foster dynamic asset management decision making. This paper presents a multi-period asset management method for public buildings to minimize LCC and attain climate action goals. A scenario planning approach is used to incorporate future changes in technologies, costs and organizational policies. Risk based prioritization is used to compare and select maintenance alternatives in a given period. Value at risk is used to identify the lowest risk capital planning strategy for an organization. The proposed approach was demonstrated using an operating aquatic centre building in British Columbia, Canada. Three possible future scenario were considered. Proposed method was used to develop multi-period maintenance plans for future scenarios. Based on the analysis, Great Transitions scenario is expected to achieve the least financial risk. The proposed approach enable capital asset planning by complying with changing climate action targets in a stochastic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transportation is responsible for 23% of Canada's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory due to complete dependence on fossil fuels. Decarbonizing the transportation sector using alternative energy sources is one of the most effective strategies to achieve GHG emission reduction targets. Alternative transportation modes such as electric and hydrogen fuel cell based vehicles are considered as scalable technologies for decarbonizing the transportation sector. However, there is a knowledge gap for a systematic investigation approach on regional viability of aforementioned vehicles. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the financial feasibility and environmental impact of the electric light duty vehicles (LD-EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell light duty vehicles (LD-HFCVs) use in Canada. A life cycle thinking based approach has been proposed to compare costs and emissions of transportation based on electric and Hydrogen with traditional fossil fuel. The carbon offset saving was used to quantify the economic impact of GHG reduction. The carbon taxes for selected provinces were recommended as a potential policy implementation to reduce transport based GHG emissions. The results indicate that the provinces with low emission factor electric grids have a higher potential for LD-EV based transportation system in terms of costs and footprint. Presently LD-HFCVs are less desirable due to high purchase and operational cost. Development of a Hydrogen based transportation system through the production of cost effective hydrogen is preferable for provinces with a higher emission factor electric grids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chlorination for drinking water forms various disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Some DBPs are probably linked to human cancer (e.g., bladder, colorectal cancers) and other chronic and sub-chronic effects. This emphasizes the need to understand and characterize DBPs in drinking water and possible risks to human health. In this study, occurrences of DBPs throughout Canada were investigated. Trihalomethanes (THMs) were observed to be highest in Manitoba followed by Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, while haloacetic acids were highest in Nova Scotia followed by Newfoundland and Labrador. Based on the characterization of DBPs, risk of cancer from exposure to THMs was predicted using ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways of exposure. In Canada, approximately 700 cancer cases may be caused by exposure to THMs in drinking water. Medical expenses associated with these cancer incidents are estimated at some $140 million/year. Expense may be highest in Ontario (∼$47 million/year) followed by Quebec (∼$25 million/year) due to a greater population base. This paper suggests improvements in water treatment, source protection and disinfection processes, and caution in the use of alternative disinfectants to reduce DBPs. Finally, elements are provided to mitigate risks and reduce cost estimates in future studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recharging infrastructure (RI) deployment plays a vital role in improving the public recharging availability for transport electrification. Decarbonizing transportation using low-emission electricity requires massive RI network. Even though the consumers are reluctant to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) until RIs are sufficiently placed, the investors are not willing to invest in RIs due to recharging demand uncertainties. Therefore, a scientific planning framework is needed to ensure the sustainable deployment of EV-RIs in complex networks. In this study, a lifecycle thinking-based multi-period infrastructure-planning framework is proposed to develop sustainable public EV-RIs in an urban context. This framework consists of a temporal model to find the dynamic EV-RI demands, a stochastic model to obtain travel distances, and a multi-objective optimization model to select the best desirable capacities and locations for potential EV-RIs. A case study of a typical medium-scale municipality in Canada was assessed using the proposed framework and validated using conventional infrastructure planning scenarios. The geo-processing data, regional travel behaviors, and recharging characteristics were used as model inputs. The results of the case study showed that the proposed framework can be used to estimate multi-period public recharging demands, minimize lifecycle costs, maximize service coverage and infrastructure utilization, and ensure reasonable paybacks compared to conventional planning approaches. Moreover, this framework can be used to compare different investment assistances, which are required in the early stages of the RI deployment process to encourage investors. Furthermore, government and private institutions can use this framework to identify recharging demands, permitting, and developing RIs in the long-run. • Lifecycle thinking-based planning framework is proposed to develop EV recharging infrastructure. • Temporal and spatial models were used to obtain EV recharging demands and travel distances. • Location-based data, regional travel behaviors, and temporal variations were used as inputs. • Multi-objective optimization was used to obtain capacities and locations for potential facilities. • The method was applied to medium-scale community and validated using expert opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine oil spill response is a time sensitive and complex task, in which the management of oily wastewater generated from response operations could be a bottleneck limiting the response capacity and efficiency. This study developed a multi-agent decision support system to effectively coordinate mechanical containment and recovery (MCR) of spilt oil and oily wastewater management (OWM) operations. The system aims to minimize the overall response time, cost, and the volume of weathered oil by applying evolutionary optimization, oil weathering process, and response operational agents. The multi-agent system was used to manage an incident through a hypothetical case study in Canada. The system enables the scheduling of available response assets considering all complex operational details of MCR and OWM, such as available oily wastewater storage and transportation capacities and the competitive skimming process of various response vessels. Implementing the evolutionary multi-objective optimization led to a considerable reduction in response time (about 13.6% or 67 hr), cost (about 1.4% or CA$24,800), and volume of weathered oil (about 9.2% or 19 m3) compared to the shortest distance approach. The developed multi-agent system can facilitate decision-making in complex marine oil spill response tasks for maximizing response efficiency. [Display omitted] • A decision support system is developed for effective marine oil spill management. • Oil spill response and oily waste management operations were optimized together. • Overall response time and cost, as well as volume of weathered oil were minimized. • The multi-agent system was tested on a comprehensive case study in Western Canada. • Multi-objective optimization approaches outperformed shortest distance model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction : The safety of oil and gas pipelines is an increasing concern for the public, government regulators, and the industry. A safety management system cannot be efficient without having an effective integrity management program (IMP) and a strong safety culture. IMP is a formal document (policies, planning, scheduling, and technical processes) while safety culture is a measure of views, beliefs, and traditions about safety. For regulatory authorities and O&G companies, assessing the effectiveness of both the IMP and safety culture through regulatory audits is a daunting task with indistinct findings. Method : An integrated framework based on regulatory audits is developed to assess the maturity of safety culture based on IMP efficacy through risk-based approach by using failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). The framework focuses on three distinct aspects, the probability of failure occurrence in case of the non-compliance of regulatory and program requirements, severity of non-compliance, and effectiveness of the corrective actions. Results : Program requirements and performance indicators are translated into assessment questions which are grouped into 18 IMP components. Subsequently, these components are linked with four safety culture attributes. Sensitivity analysis revealed that four IMP components, i.e., organizational roles and responsibilities, policy and commitment, risk assessment, and training and competency, significantly affect the safety culture maturity level. Conclusions : Individual assessment of IMP and safety culture in O&G sector consumes extensive time and efforts in the auditing process. The framework facilitates the process by pursuing common criteria between IMP and safety culture. The O&G companies and regulator can prioritize the improvement plans and guidelines using the framework's findings. Practical applications : The integrated framework developed in this research will improve the existing assessment mechanism in O&G companies. The framework has been effectively implemented on a case of 17 upstream O&G pipeline-operating companies in the province of British Columbia, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Household energy consumption and carbon footprints change with household characteristics such as type of residence, energy system performance, vehicle performance, and users' behavioral patterns. Accordingly, alternative energy technologies, such as clean electricity, hydrogen fuel cells, and energy efficient interventions, are being adopted in many parts of the world to reduce the residential, industrial, and transportation emissions. This paper presents a comprehensive research framework to identify the most desirable building retrofits and incentive schemes for Canadian households. Globally available incentive policies for low-emission vehicles and locally available retrofit options for single-family detached houses were identified during this study. A decision support tool based on life cycle thinking was developed to assess economic parameters, such as capital investment and annualized consumer cost, and environmental parameters such as greenhouse gas emissions. In order to rank and select the most desirable building retrofit, the TOPSIS ranking method was used. The linear programing graphical method was used to select the best incentive policy for low-emission vehicles. Finally, scenario analysis was used to compare different households based on regional economic and environmental characteristics. Provinces which have low-emission electricity grids such as Manitoba, British Columbia, and Quebec can primarily focus on incentives for electrified transportation. Additionally, the incentives for retrofits such as greener appliances and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems would also significantly reduce building carbon footprint. Conventional residential buildings with fossil fuel vehicles are more desirable for provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Nova Scotia which have high-emission electricity grids. Based on the outcomes of this research, a scientific incentive planning and management approach considering regional economic and environmental characteristics was introduced. Highlights • Life cycle thinking-based economic factors and operating emissions of single-detached household were analyzed. • Possible retrofit incentives and retrofit combinations were ranked based on regional economic and environmental factors. • Regions with low emission electric grids can primarily focus on incentives for electrified transportation system. • Conventional households and fossil-vehicles are desired for the areas with higher emission factor electric grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring emerging disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is challenging for many small water distribution networks (SWDNs), and machine learning-based predictive modeling could be an alternative solution. In this study, eleven machine learning techniques, including three multivariate linear regression-based, three regression tree-based, three neural networks-based, and two advanced non-parametric regression techniques, are used to develop models for predicting three emerging DBPs (dichloroacetonitrile, chloropicrin, and trichloropropanone) in SWDNs. Predictors of the models include commonly-measured water quality parameters and two conventional DBP groups. Sampling data of 141 cases were collected from eleven SWDNs in Canada, in which 70 % were randomly selected for model training and the rest were used for validation. The modeling process was reiterated 1000 times for each model. The results show that models developed using advanced regression techniques, including support vector regression and Gaussian process regression, exhibited the best prediction performance. Support vector regression models showed the highest prediction accuracy (R2 = 0.94) and stability for predicting dichloroacetonitrile and trichloropropanone, and Gaussian process regression models are optimal for predicting chloropicrin (R2 = 0.92). The difference is likely due to the much lower concentrations of chloropicrin than dichloroacetonitrile and trichloropropanone. Advanced non-parametric regression techniques, characterized by a probabilistic nature, were identified as most suitable for developing the predictive models, followed by neural network-based (e.g., generalized regression neural network), regression tree-based (e.g., random forest), and multivariate linear regression-based techniques. This study identifies promising machine learning techniques among many commonly-used alternatives for monitoring emerging DBPs in SWDNs under data constraints. [Display omitted] • Eleven machine learning techniques were compared for predicting emerging DBPs. • Support vector regression and Gaussian process regression are best-performing. • Support vector regression reduced 90 % error compared to linear regression. • Gaussian process regression reduced 67 % error compared to linear regression. • The two advanced regression techniques also showed the lowest prediction variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global climate is being heavily affected by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the most significant of which is carbon dioxide (CO 2). According to the Pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change, Canada has set ambitious targets to realize a low carbon future. Amongst the available emission reduction strategies, on-site carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a proven technology capable of abating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel-based energy systems. However, the viability of CCUS technologies is still uncertain and is subjected to numerous dynamic parameters. This study aims to assess the long-term economic viability of integrating carbon capture technologies into community emission planning. Key decision variables were identified, and the dynamic economic performance of CCUS investments was assessed for academic complexes located in two locations in Canada. A system dynamics model was developed to assess the future costs of carbon capturing projects. The study outcomes showed that CCUS is more feasible in provinces with high reliance on fossil fuel energy sources. Moreover, a significant portion of carbon capture costs is taken by infrastructure. Government policies have a critical role in accelerating the commercialization of CCUS technologies. The findings from this study are geared toward providing useful decision-support tools for policy experts, investors, and utility providers who are responsible for policy and investment decisions. Policymakers and investors will be benefited from the proposed model to develop customized regional policies and make investment decisions by considering dynamic regional aspects. Moreover, the results provide insight into what areas require attention in making CCUS economically viable. • System dynamics modelling can be used to predict carbon capture costs subjected to dynamic parameters. • Emission reduction with carbon capturing may change depending on regional parameters. • Carbon capture costs are sensitive to energy demand, grid composition, and carbon dioxide transport distances for utilization. • Community energy Infrastructure development and climate policies are essential in improving economies of carbon capturing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide make it quite challenging to meet country-specific Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. Therefore, it is evident that the existing emissions abatement measures need to be taken a step further. Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) are allowed in Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement as a cooperative approach to achieving NDC goals. There is a potential to create ITMOs between Canada and China by replacing coal use in China with British Columbia (BC)'s liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply. Replacing coal with LNG in energy generation applications is a promising approach to mitigate emissions. With global and national pressures to reduce emissions, China has created a market for LNG imports to cater to its rising natural gas (NG) consumption due to the coal-to-gas source switching strategy. However, the terms under Article 6.2 requires generated ITMOs to ensure environmental integrity, support sustainable development goals, and have a robust accounting system. Therefore, the current study aims to quantify the life cycle environmental outcomes of generating ITMOs by exporting LNG from BC to Chinese end-users while integrating uncertainties and to provide policy recommendations in adherence with the requirements of Article 6.2. Different LNG export scenarios were generated in the study and environmental impacts of each scenario were assessed and compared using a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework developed by the authors. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted to understand the impacts created by the data uncertainties in the final result. By replacing conventional coal with NG, approximately 40–45% and 26%–32% emissions reductions can be obtainable for Chinese textile and chemical industries, respectively. The highest emissions reduction of approximately 60% was observed when coal is replaced with NG for district heating. The life cycle emissions (LCE) quantification framework provided in the study provides stakeholders with a systematic approach to determine the total GHG emissions and emissions reduction potential of different LNG export scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation (PFSE) approach was developed for assessing drinking water quality in rural and remote communities (RRCs) through the lens of health risks and aesthetic impacts. The probabilistic health risk assessment can handle aleatory uncertainty raised by the variation of contaminant concentrations, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) can address vagueness and ambiguity in human perception of risks and aesthetic impacts. The PFSE approach was applied to five RRCs in British Columbia, Canada where different drinking water quality issues, including high metal(loids) concentrations, the presence of coliforms, and poor aesthetics were reported. Cancer, non-cancer, and microbial risks assessed, as well as both quantitative and qualitative aesthetic impact assessment outcomes, were aggregated into synthetic water quality indices for water quality ranking. The probabilistic health risk assessment results revealed significant health risks for a community with relatively high arsenic concentrations (mean value = 7.0 μg/L) in the water supply. The microbial risks were also found significant (disability-adjusted life years >1 × 10−6) for all communities because of the presence of coliforms in the water. The FSE results indicated that the drinking water quality of five RRCs was associated with high aggregated impacts, which concurred with the "poor" water quality ratings according to the Canadian Water Quality Index. The water quality of the five RRCs was ranked based on the synthetic water quality evaluation indices. The PFSE approach can help decision-makers prioritize RRCs in effective resource allocation for addressing drinking water quality issues. • A probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation was used for water quality assessment. • Human health risk, microbial risk, and aesthetic impact were considered holistically. • Water quality of five rural and remote communities in northern Canada was assessed. • The water quality was associated with high health risks and aesthetic impacts. • The studied communities were ranked in terms of water quality for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-site carbon capturing, storage, and utilization (CCSU) has proven its' potential to reduce CO 2 emissions from large-scale fossil fuel combustion systems. However, the integration of CCSU in community-scale on-site energy generation applications such as district energy systems has not been comprehensively explored in literature. This study aims to propose a life cycle thinking-based framework to compare and prioritize emission reduction strategies that include CCSU and renewable energy technologies to develop zero-emission community energy systems. The framework incorporates multi-criteria decision-making approaches to rank and prioritize community energy emission mitigation strategies. A scenario-based method was employed in assessing the performance of CCSU technologies along with other compatible alternative energy choices. The framework was demonstrated for all the provinces in Canada. Results show that CCSU is more favorable for regions with high dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources. CCSU could reach the commercial scale if the cost of emission avoided drops below the cost of CO 2 emissions.. The findings of this study are geared towards providing practical decision-support tools for stakeholders who hold responsible for policy and investment decisions in community energy. The developed framework is a generalized technique that provides the flexibility to be employed in any location across the globe. • Emission planning based on techno-economic and environmental performance. • Prospect of CCSU rises if cost of emission reduction drops below cost of emissions. • Cost of infrastructure takes up more than 70% of overall CCSU project costs. • Energy mix, carbon tax, and infrastructure impact emission planning decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change is a key concern in today's world, especially with the growth of population and industrial activities. One of the biggest sources of climate change is anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In Canada, buildings are the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, contributing to 12% of the country's equivalent Carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions have various negative impacts on the planet, which impede the transition towards a cleaner environment and more sustainable communities. Attention has now shifted towards Carbon dioxide reduction in addition to the currently practiced energy efficiency improvements and source switching, which is also important in achieving Canada's 2030 climate action goals. The current study attempts to address the above gap by investigating the feasibility of installing carbon capturing unit at building level, based on the perceptions of building managers in both multi-unit residential buildings and non-residential buildings. A Modified Digital Logic approach was used to identify the key factors that determine the acceptability of the unit, based on experts' input. Six primary criteria were identified to design a questionnaire and structured interviews to evaluate the acceptability of building level carbon capturing unit to stakeholders. The findings indicated that around 50% of non-residential building managers were interested in installing the carbon capturing unit, whereas none of the multi-unit building managers were in favor of the unit installation. The lack of interest is attributed to different factors such as unit scalability, inability to accurately estimate the short and long-term economic benefits, and other alternate plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Specifically, when establishing relationship between cost and unit scalability, 82% of residential unit managers and 50% of non-residential managers opined that the unit should be capable of being upgraded to accommodate a larger area and capture more emissions in order to justify the proposed cost of the unit. The findings provide important insights for policy makers in understanding the acceptability of carbon capturing unit at building level and to further develop and promote this emerging technology in the market. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-dioxide (CO 2) is a critical heat trapping greenhouse gas (GHG) that results in global warming. Thus, many countries across the world including Canada have agreed for national level emission reduction targets. A significant fraction of the anthropogenic CO 2 is emitted from fossil fuel-based energy generation. Carbon-dioxide capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) technologies are currently the sole means of capturing CO 2 emissions generated by such energy systems. However, only a limited amount of research has been done on CCSU integration in community energy systems. This review aims at exploring the prospects of CCSU integration in community energy systems to achieve zero-emission communities. A systematic literature review was conducted to critically analyze the feasibility of community level carbon capturing. A particular focus was given to the techno-economic aspects of carbon capture integration in community energy systems. The drivers and barriers to CCSU implementation in Canadian communities were discussed under techno-economic, socio-political, legal, and environmental themes in the form of a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. Recommendations for overcoming the above barriers were provided from the findings of the review. Finally, a road map aimed towards assessing the suitability of CCSU integration in Canadian communities was defined. The knowledge compiled through this study will aid investors and decision-makers to make informed decisions when planning zero-emission communities. • CCSU is currently the most effective option to capture CO 2 from fossil fuel based combustion systems. • Success of a CCSU project depends on the environmental desirability, technical feasibility, and financial viability. • Carbon capturing has the potential to be implemented in community scale energy systems. • Utilization of captured carbon can provide economic gains better than that from storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A retrofit selection strategy employing economic and environmental decision criteria was proposed. • Building energy retrofits were evaluated through a life cycle thinking approach. • Retrofits with operational emissions savings may not be beneficial when considering life cycle impacts. • Energy mix and the heating system of the house greatly impact the effectiveness. • Retrofit selection changes with stakeholder priorities on environment and economics. Improving the energy performance of buildings has been a much-discussed topic over the past few decades. With the current focus on climate change mitigation, emissions reduction has also come to the forefront of this discussion. Retrofitting is an option to improve the energy and emissions performance of buildings. However, in the residential building stock, retrofit planning for existing buildings faces many complexities due to variations in climatic conditions and macro-environment as well as the presence of multiple stakeholder groups. Thus, in identifying solutions, it is necessary to take a holistic perspective that covers these different dimensions. In this paper, commonly used building energy retrofits were evaluated through a life cycle thinking approach. The performance of various retrofit options applicable for single family detached housing were evaluated using the HOT2000 energy simulation software package under the varying climatic conditions and energy supply scenarios across Canada. The retrofits were evaluated in terms of the additional investment, energy use and cost reduction achieved over the life cycle, and life cycle emissions reduction. The findings indicate that the provincial energy mix and the heating system of the house (i.e. electric or natural gas) play a major role in determining the effectiveness of a retrofit, and this "effectiveness" changes at different stakeholder levels. However, not all retrofits that reduce emissions make economic sense and vice versa when life cycle thinking comes into play. The findings will be useful for building owners and occupants as well as for policy developers and other decision makers interested in demand side management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupant behavior in residential buildings has a direct impact on the effectiveness of energy-saving measures. In order to realize a buildings' carbon mitigation targets, the impact of individual occupancy profiles needs to be integrated with building simulation models. This paper introduces a decision support framework as a potential solution to make energy performance upgrade choices based on different occupancy profiles. This framework has been demonstrated through a case study of two single-family detached homes in Canada, which were highly instrumented with sensors for monitoring energy input and output. The case studies represented two common occupancy profiles-(1) a family of four (consisting of 2 working adults and 2 teenagers); and (2) a retired couple. Firstly, calibrated energy models were developed by using one-year energy use data collected through an intrusive load monitoring technique. Secondly, energy upgrade combinations were considered for each profile and tested for additional investment, payback period and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Lastly, the most suitable combination of energy upgrade for each profile was ranked using a multi-criteria decision-making method (e.g., TOPSIS). Results indicated that the retired couple used more energy than the family of four and required energy upgrades with usually higher payback periods to achieve the same level of GHG emission reduction. The results of this research are timely for energy policymaking and developing best management practices, which need to be implemented along with the deployment of more stringent building standards and codes. • A scenario-based framework was developed for residential homes energy upgrades. • It considers occupant behavior and preference in selecting energy upgrades. • Field data is used to represent energy use of a family of four and a stay-at-home retired couple. • Energy upgrades are same under pro-economic choices for two profiles. • Energy upgrades vary under pro-environmental scenarios for two profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human health risk-based life cycle assessment (LCA) framework was developed for selecting low-impact water treatment systems with a focus on heavy metal(loids) removal. The framework comprises three phases, including pilot-scale water treatment, human health risk assessment (HRA), and LCA. The application of the framework was demonstrated by a case study. Two water treatment systems employing ozonation-greensand-ferric hydroxide-based sorbent (OGF) and Birm-ferric hydroxide-based sorbent (BF) processes were used to reduce arsenic and manganese concentrations in the source water of a small municipality in southwestern Canada. The heavy metal(loids) concentration as well as material and energy use data of the two systems were collected to perform HRA and LCA. The results showed that both systems can reduce arsenic and manganese concentrations; however, the removal efficiencies of OGF and BF processes decreased with the increase of treatment volume. At a constant inflow rate, the ferric hydroxide-based sorbent needed to be replaced every 31 and 25 days in the OGF and BF processes, respectively, to ensure that arsenic concentration in the effluent would not pose any significant human health risk. The LCA results indicated that the system using the OGF process generated lower life cycle environmental impacts than the system using the BF process throughout ten years' operation. It was also found that the arsenic removal process was the largest impact contributor in both systems. The manufacturing of ferric hydroxide-based sorbent and disposal of arsenic-contaminated treatment waste accounted for the highest impact in water treatment. Image 1 • A health risk-based LCA framework is proposed for assessing water treatment systems. • Two water treatment systems designed for arsenic and manganese removal are assessed. • Human health risk assessment determines acceptable adsorbent replacement frequency. • System using ozonation-greensand-ferric oxyhydroxide treatment shows lower impacts. • Arsenic removal process generates the highest life cycle environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that Canada will not achieve its 2030 emission reduction targets outlined in the Paris Agreement. Canadian energy decision makers are now at a crossroad between making sound fiscal decisions and ramping up efforts to meet emission reduction commitments. Approximately 195,000 people are living in off-grid Canadian communities, with most of these communities relying on fossil-fuel based energy generation. Hybrid renewable energy systems provide a novel solution to address the high costs of off-grid energy and Canada's emission reduction targets. To address the competing stakeholder priorities in off-grid energy planning (e.g., economic, environmental, and system performance), the authors of this paper employed a generalizable combinatorial-based alternative ranking method. Alternative energy technology combinations were simulated to calculate key performance indicator values. The framework allows decision makers to identify the most feasible energy system based on their priorities. A case study was performed with the developed framework for a small off-grid community in British Columbia, Canada. The results show that feasibility of energy system configurations vary greatly based on differing decision-making priorities. The case study also confirmed that hybrid renewable energy systems have better environmental performance compared to their fossil fuel counter parts, but at a significantly higher cost. The study further confirms that the balance between environmental and economic performance of off-grid energy systems can be improved through proper component sizing, management practices, and the integration of energy storage. • Life cycle impacts need to be considered in off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems planning. • Hybrid renewable energy systems incur lower environmental impacts at higher costs. • Combining fossil fuel generators and battery banks reduces emissions at a lower cost. • Decision makers' priorities has a high impact in the ranking of energy system configurations. • The developed method accounts for different priorities in energy system feasibility assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]