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Articles by David Arkell
Corporate laws guard Canada from U.S. anti-ESG wave: report
Julie Bernard, a co-author of Climate Governance Under Pressure, says Canada's institutional investors have been better protected against the opposition to environmental corporate policies because of its laws and regulations.
Geomega moves closer to commercializing magnet recycling facility
Kiril Mugerman, president and CEO of Geomega. (Courtesy Geomega Resources Inc.) Geomega Resources Inc. (GMA-X) has received environmental permitting for its rare earth magnet recycling demonstration facility in Quebec, a milestone on its journey to commercialize a process it developed. Identified as Geomega’s flagship facility by its president and CEO Kiril Mugerman, the site is being built in Saint-Hubert, a borough of Longueuil.
Schneider study shows EV plus solar best option for prosumers
A combination of rooftop solar panels and an electric vehicle was found to be the most financially attractive distributed energy resource application in Canada. (Courtesy Schneider Electric Canada) The economics for small-scale energy assets like rooftop solar and battery storage in homes across four major Canadian cities are poor, a report by Schneider Electric Canada and HEC Montréal has found. But there are a handful of compelling use cases.
Why net-zero fails without procurement
In this episode of The 360 on Energy and Carbon Podcast, hosts David Arkell and John Pooley are joined by sustainability strategist Bob Willard to examine why procurement may be the most powerful yet underused lever for reducing corporate emissions. The discussion explores how Scope 3 emissions embedded in supply chains often dwarf operational emissions, reshaping where organizations should focus their decarbonization efforts.
Indigenous stakes are non-negotiable in Canadian renewables: CanREA panel
GUEST SUBMISSION: Canada is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. The federal government is preparing to release an updated National Electricity Strategy, and provinces are simultaneously revisiting their own approaches to grid planning, electrification and data centre development. These decisions will shape how the country meets rising electricity demand for decades. Yet amid this activity, one essential element remains underdeveloped: a serious strategy for smarter demand.
Solar’s cost curve and the future of the grid
In this episode of The 360 on Energy and Carbon Podcast, Andrew Birch (Birchy), co-founder and CEO of Open Solar, joins hosts David Arkell and John Pooley to unpack how solar moved from a niche, expensive technology to the lowest-cost source of electricity in history, and what that shift means for global energy systems.
Cleantech funding's transition: From 'party days' to 'risk phase'
From left, panel moderator Jeanette Jackson, the national director of cleantech at RBCx; Sahir Surmeli, chair of the sustainable energy and infrastructure practice of Mintz; Kyle McEneaney, director of the Schmidt Family Foundation; and Nate Lowbeer-Lewis, principal at Spring Lane Capital.
Partners plan 3 renewable diesel production sites across Canada
Five partner companies have selected three sites across Canada to potentially host renewable diesel production facilities, where wood waste will be turned into low-carbon fuel by using a technology developed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Calgary-based Expander Energy Inc. Currently planned for British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, the facilities are expected to generate a combined 90 million litres of renewable diesel fuel per year, a drop-in fuel for the transportation sector.
La Caisse partnership opens 'next chapter' for Novisto
Novisto's team pictured at the Novisto ESG Forum in Montreal held 2025. CEO Charles Assaf is sixth from the left in the first row. (Courtesy Novisto) Novisto, a Montreal-based developer of a corporate sustainability platform, has partnered with and received an investment from La Caisse. Novisto’s CEO Charles Assaf calls it the “next chapter” for the company.
Australia’s sustainable finance journey: Lessons for Canada and beyond
In this episode of The 360 On Energy and Carbon Podcast, David Arkell, John Pooley and Lysandra Naom speak with Nicole Yazbek-Martin, head of taxonomy and natural vapital at the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute, about what makes Australia’s sustainable finance framework work, and what Canada can learn from it.
Telling your brand’s sustainability story: Purpose, proof and people
GUEST SUBMISSION: Sustainability isn’t just an add‑on — it’s the story a brand must live and tell. Yet far too often, brands bury their impact in raw data or vague claims. Successful sustainability storytelling requires more: it must align purpose with profit, weave facts into compelling narratives, and center on real human experiences. Profit and purpose are not opposing forces — they must work together. Today, sustainability resonates deeply with consumers and investors.
Ontario is planning to kick-start a whole new level of energy competition
GUEST SUBMISSION: Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) recently announced plans to invite an entirely new category of energy entrepreneurs into the electricity market – small scale generators. This move can be expected to stimulate competition while significantly widening the options available to energy consumers. Responses to the IESO’s first webinar on the new Local Generation Program were enthusiastic.
The cost of a dirty grid
Electrical emissions in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) increased last year, and the reasons behind it deserve more attention than they are getting. Electricity-related emissions in the region jumped close to thirty per cent despite almost no change in demand. The trend is tied to Ontario’s growing dependence on natural gas due to nuclear refurbishments taking major generation units offline and rising local electricity demand that has been met almost entirely by gas-fired power.
Global expansion in Cyclic's sights with $75M fundraise
Cyclic's Mesa facility, the company's first commercial-scale facility. (Courtesy Cyclic Materials) Metals recycler Cyclic Materials plans to extend its reach in the U.S. and Europe while boosting its Canadian research footprint with a $75-million equity round (all figures US), the largest to date for the Toronto-based company. Announced Friday, the oversubscribed Series C round was led by accounts advised by T.
Landscaping a critical tool for real estate sustainability: Strathmore president
Commercial buildings with green roofs and gardens on their grounds can contribute to climate resiliency and biodiversity while reducing maintenance costs, Jessica Milligan, president of Montreal-based Strathmore Commercial Landscape Management, said.
Canada’s push toward mandatory sustainability reporting: What CSDS means for business
In this episode of The 360 On Energy and Carbon Podcast, David Arkell and Lysandra Naom speak with Gregory Carli about the Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards (CSDS) and what they mean for Canadian companies. They cover how these standards are evolving, what businesses need to do to prepare and the risks of inaction. The discussion offers practical advice for integrating sustainability into core business functions — and why it's a strategic imperative, not a box-ticking exercise.
NGen awards $108M to sustainability, cleantech innovators
Industry-led non-profit Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) announced a $108-million investment into cleantech and sustainability startups that are greening Canadian manufacturing. Running the gamut from transforming greenhouse gas emissions into resilient building materials, upgrading industrial waste into a means of energy storage, and better processing marine plastic waste, the Hamilton-based organization is supporting a diverse palette of solutions.
The DIY energy crisis: Why businesses are being forced to manage energy alone, and what to do about it
The phone rings, but no one answers. A chatbot offers scripted replies. A portal delivers a string of charts that don’t explain why your energy bills jumped 40 per cent last quarter. You’re left to connect the dots, and carry the cost. The energy industry is pulling back support just as the need for it is reaching an all-time high. Over the past decade, energy has become one of the most volatile, fast-evolving industries in North America.
Guide maps out path to ease EV adoption in condos
A top-down retrofit of having electric vehicle chargers in a condo is a more cost-effective way of introducing the infrastructure, a report by Plug’n Drive and Clean Energy Canada suggests. (Courtesy Clean Energy Canada) For condo owners, managers and residents unsure about how to add electric vehicle (EV) chargers to their building, a guide written by non-profits Plug’n Drive and Clean Energy Canada is designed to answer their questions.
Nestlé Canada's journey to sustainability with Catherine O'Brien
In this episode of The 360 on Energy and Carbon Podcast, Catherine O’Brien, senior vice-president of corporate affairs, regulatory, government relations and sustainability at Nestlé Canada, joins hosts Dave and John to discuss the complex balance between environmental ambition and operational reality at one of the world’s largest food companies.
Rock Tech's new CEO looks to bring lithium converters to fruition
Rock Tech Lithium Inc.’s (RCK-X) new CEO Mirco Wojnarowicz is tasked with bringing the Toronto company’s plans for lithium converter facilities in Canada and Germany to life — vital elements for the battery supply chain.
ESG in a downturn: Cutting costs without cutting strategy
As economic pressures increase and recession alerts return to the news, businesses are reevaluating their spending, tracking methods and the priorities that remain significant. ESG has now become a focal point. For numerous organizations, this presents a challenging realization: how can one defend long-term environmental commitments when immediate profit margins are under pressure?
ESG in Canadian real estate: Why we need to double down, not dial back
A plant is exchanged at a Starlight event. "Happy residents lead to stronger communities," Starlight says. (Courtesy Starlight Investments) GUEST SUBMISSION: Many organizations are asking the same question: “Should we be scaling back on ESG initiatives?” External pressures, shifting political landscapes, market wobbles and evolving investor expectations often lead to that pivotal boardroom question. But a quiet retreat is not the answer.
sonnen pilots virtual power plant in Canadian homes
German clean power company sonnen Group is entering the Canadian market with a battery-based virtual power plant (VPP) pilot project at the Blatchford community in Edmonton, which it calls a first for the country. Tapping into an approximately $5-million grant provided by the Alberta government, sonnen is joining four partners to install and operate its battery systems in 100 homes, forming almost two megawatt-hours (mW-h) of storage capacity. The homes will become operationally carbon neutral.
Battery X Metals poised to roll out EV battery life extension tech
Battery X Metals Inc. (BATX-CN) is on the verge of introducing an electric vehicle (EV) battery life extension technology that could transform the used EV market, enabling car owners to have their existing batteries restored or replaced at competitive rates. Following the Vancouver-based company's acquisition of the remaining 51 per cent of Li-ion Battery Renewable Technologies Inc.
Rockburst Technologies utilizes CO2 to break rocks from within
An employee works in Rockburst's Vancouver facility. (Courtesy Rockburst Technologies) Crushing rocks for mining consumes as much as four per cent of the world’s electricity output. A B.C.-based firm has come up with a process that not only greatly reduces energy usage, but traps carbon dioxide (CO2) in the process. Rockburst Technologies does not follow the traditional path when it comes to comminution, instead deploying a different method. “The whole idea was to use nature . . .
How Australia is dominating sustainable finance
Australia is taking a leading role in sustainable finance, learning from early adopters like the EU while tailoring solutions to its local economy. The country is setting frameworks that align with international standards while allowing for regional adaptation. Sustainable Finance Taxonomy: The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is a framework helping investors identify economic activities that contribute to a net-zero future.
GBM strikes $11M deal to acquire graphite producer Lomiko
Lomiko's graphite portfolio in Quebec, which includes its flagship project La Loutre. (Courtesy Lomiko Metals Inc.) Global Battery Materials Corp. (GBM) has an agreement to acquire Lomiko Metals Inc. for an equity value of approximately $11 million, potentially forming a larger player in Canada’s graphite and battery industries. Vancouver-based critical minerals explorer and developer Lomiko announced the deal Tuesday morning.
DEEP Earth, SLB to partner on Saskatchewan geothermal project
Saskatoon-based geothermal energy developer DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. will be partnering with energy technology firm SLB on a 30-megawatt (MW) geothermal energy project in southeast Saskatchewan. The facility will start with five MW of capacity expected to be operating by mid-2026, with work on adding 25 MW of capacity scheduled to begin once completed. Development is taking place on 97,775-acres of leased land near Estevan.
Mangrove plans for massive lithium refinery in eastern Canada
As construction on its first commercial lithium refinery takes place, Mangrove Lithium is already initiating development on a much larger facility that will supercharge its ability to serve the battery industry. Based in Vancouver, Mangrove’s process refines lithium chloride and lithium sulphate extracted from brine, rock or clay into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, a cathode material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Moment Energy secures funding to build Texas battery repurposing plant
Moment Energy is embarking on a new phase in its expansion strategy with the announcement that it will be building the world's first second-life gigafactory in Taylor, Texas, dedicated to repurposing retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Sustainability boosts the bottom line, Morguard's ESG director says
While some companies are backtracking on sustainability, Mississauga-based real estate company Morguard Corp. (MRC-T) is sticking to its commitments, saying it not only benefits the environment but translates into higher returns. The developer, manager and owner of a portfolio of approximately 300 properties in North America valued at $14.8 billion, the company has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050.
Sustainable mining and innovations in metal extraction with PH7 Technologies
The energy transition relies on informed dialogue and inclusive perspectives to shape the future of sustainability. In this episode of The 360 on Energy and Carbon Podcast, Muhammad Doostmohammadi, founder and CEO of PH7 Technologies, shares insights into the critical role of sustainable mining and innovations in metal extraction. Learn how circular economy principles, novel closed-loop extraction processes and industry-wide sustainability efforts are shaping the future of critical metal recovery.
Brampton, Zenobē launch $4B bus electrification partnership
The City of Brampton and London, U.K.-based Zenobē Energy Ltd. will be leading a $4-billion partnership aimed at transitioning the Brampton Transit bus fleet entirely to zero-emission vehicles. Planned to introduce 1,000 electric buses to replace the city's diesel-powered vehicles, the partnership is expected to provide transportation for tens of millions of passengers per year.
Why energy budgeting is essential for energy control
In business, establishing annual budgets for sales and input costs is a fundamental practice. Organizations invest significant time and effort into this process, ensuring thorough review and validation so operations align with financial objectives. Monthly tracking identifies variances that trigger necessary corrective actions to achieve agreed-upon financial targets. Yet, one of the most critical operational input costs, energy, rarely undergoes this same rigorous budgeting and tracking process.
Driving sustainable change through group intelligence
A recent Project Management Institute webinar, Group Intelligence as a Systematic Approach to Change, centred around a fundamental question: why does organizational change often fail, and what actually works when it comes to implementing it sustainably? The session drew from The Hive Mind at Work, a book that reframes change management through the lens of collective action.
Quebec battery facility proceeds as planned: GM, POSCO
General Motors Co. (GM) has confirmed its joint venture with South Korean battery materials and chemicals company POSCO Future M continues to move forward, with production of battery materials from the Becancour, Que. facility scheduled to start in early 2026. In an email sent in reply to a request from Sustainable Biz Canada, a GM (GM-N) spokesperson confirmed GM's commitment to the facility.
Green Button energy data program has many red flags: expert
An initiative to provide utility customers access to their energy consumption data is inaccessible for most, hindering the ability to make greener choices at home and in businesses according to David Arkell, CEO of Hamilton-based consultancy 360 Energy Inc. Named the Green Button initiative, it was formed in the U.S. to promote a consumer-friendly way to offer access to energy and water usage data. It is led by the North Carolina-based Green Button Alliance.
The power of thought leadership in energy with Ed Crooks
The energy transition relies on informed dialogue and inclusive perspectives to shape the future of sustainability. In this episode of the 360 on Energy and Carbon, Ed Crooks, vice-chair of Americas at Wood Mackenzie, shares insights into the critical role of thought leadership. Learn how fact-based discussions, evolving platforms like The Energy Gang podcast and global viewpoints drive meaningful change in energy markets.
'Battery powerhouse' Windsor to host NEO's EV battery materials facility
NEO Battery Materials Ltd. (NBM-X) has secured an eight-acre site in Windsor, Ont. for a facility that will make a material that increases the range of an electric vehicle (EV) battery. Set to be the Toronto-based company’s first commercial-level manufacturing site, it will be located on surplus land at Windsor International Airport.
Thermal Energy reports 'record' Q2 for revenue, profit
A HeatSponge two-stage SBS-BOSS model. (Courtesy Boilerroom Equipment, Inc.) Thermal Energy International Inc. (TMG-X) reported record revenue and gross profit in its Q2 financial results, capping off an “excellent quarter,” president and CEO Bill Crossland said on an investor call. For the quarter ended Nov. 30, 2025, the Ottawa-based company recorded $10.2 million in revenue, its highest quarterly revenue to date. An all-time record was also set for gross profit at $4 million.
Carbonova to build $13.6M commercial-demo project after sealing financing
Scott Halland, Carbonova's health, safety and environment and operations coordinator, left, briefing CEO Mina Zarabian on optimizations made to the company's pilot reactor design. (Courtesy Carbonova Corp.) Carbonova Corp. has secured $13.6 million in financing to build its first commercial-demonstration unit to transform captured greenhouse gases into high-performance carbon nanofibres, the cleantech company has announced.
BOMA Canada preparing for fallout from possible Energy Star shutdown
BOMA Canada is preparing for the worst if the Energy Star program in the U.S. is shut down by a proposed law, which could impact the tool it uses to inform its green building certification. The Toronto-based commercial real estate industry organization runs the BOMA BEST Sustainable program for existing buildings that operate efficiently and produce less carbon than the industry standard.
Canada has 'an opportunity to lead' on sustainability disclosures: CSSB chair
Wendy Berman, the new chair of the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB), says the best move for companies is to report sustainability and climate-related data, even as resistance mounts against corporate responsibility initiatives.
GreenStep's tourism standard recognized for hotels, tour operators
Angela Nagy, the founder, president and CEO of GreenStep, says tourism businesses that emphasize sustainability are seeing better returns financially and operationally. (Courtesy GreenStep) GreenStep, a Kelowna, B.C.-based consultancy, is the first North American organization with a sustainable tourism certification for businesses under guidelines set by a United Nations-backed group, helping industry players strengthen their credibility in the sector.
AI’s role in energy: Balancing efficiency, cost savings and sustainability
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how businesses and utilities manage energy, offering new ways to optimize consumption, predict demand and enhance grid stability. While AI itself is not without its environmental impact, given the energy required to power data centres and run complex algorithms, it has the potential to drive significant energy savings and emissions reductions when applied effectively.
Green standards glut a roadblock to more sustainable buildings: Panel
From left, Kathleen Beaumont, the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario’s principal of sustainable investing; Dave Black, Canadian head of value and risk advisor for JLL; Michael Brooks, CEO of the Real Property Association of Canada; and Lillian Tummonds, the senior vice-president of retail operations at Cadillac Fairview.
360 Energy and Carbon Insights • SustainableBiz Canada • Sustainable Business News
Energy Net-zero National In a world where energy sustains the very essence of organizational operations, the impending energy transition looms as a transformative force. The next decade promises an unprecedented shift in the energy landscape, marking an era of profound change unlike before.
Moltex process turns nuclear waste into an energy source
A New Brunswick company has come up with a new way to remove harmful radioactivity from nuclear fuel waste and transform it into an energy source. Moltex Energy Canada of Saint John said it has proved its waste-to-stable-salt process works in removing 90 per cent of transuranic (those elements that have an atomic number higher than uranium and are radioactive) material in a 24-hour chemical procedure.
Real estate must stay the course on sustainability: ULI Toronto
A panel of Canadian real estate professionals have urged their peers to hold the line on their net-zero climate goals, contending during a ULI Toronto webinar sustainability remains the best path forward for the sector.
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