PCL Construction is dedicated to environmental innovation and leads the way in creating positive, lasting differences.Supplied
When Mark Henderson’s children ask what he’s doing to help the environment, he can answer with confidence, thanks to his work overcoming unique decarbonization challenges in the buildings sector with Edmonton-based PCL Construction, Canada’s largest contracting company.
“I get excited about the opportunity in this sector to impact the future – it’s just fantastic,” says Henderson, manager, sustainable retrofits and decarbonization.
“Then, when my children ask me about driving change, I can look at them and say we’re trying.”
Henderson landed in decarbonization as the demand rose for LEED-certified projects – the globally recognized certification for building sustainability.
“The role came full circle from the increased need for those projects, plus a little bit of poking from my own children about what dad is doing to help ensure a good future for them.”
When tackling building retrofits, Henderson gets inspired about using innovative solutions to balance climate goals with client challenges to make a big impact.
Take, for example, the historic, 96-year-old Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The decarbonization project involved building energy analysis; converting heating and cooling systems to heat pumps and deep lake water cooling; and a centralized building automation system for improved energy efficiency – all without disrupting hotel guests.
The result was an 80-per-cent reduction in annual carbon emissions, and certification from the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard.
“There was a natural alignment between the infrastructure that existed and the hotel’s desires,” says Henderson. “It took a lot of great partnerships, vision and commitment from people who really wanted to see this thing succeed.”
PCL also taps into existing and emerging innovative technologies – from solar, geothermal, hydrogen, nuclear energy and more – to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of buildings.
Being intentional with where PCL focuses decarbonization efforts is key to being effective, explains Mike Wieninger, chief operations officer, Canadian operations.
To do so, PCL relies on a dedicated sustainability team, a sustainable retrofits and decarbonization group, and more than 325 in-house LEED-certified professionals.
“There’s a lot of noise out there in the sustainability world – certainly in construction – so you really have to watch where and how you spend your time and effort,” he says.
Beyond implementing sustainable solutions, PCL prides itself in nurturing employee growth through its learning and development culture.
Employees can engage with sustainability solutions through initiatives like the Sustainability Community of Practice, a platform to learn from or contribute new ideas to; the QUEST program to offer opinions and present solutions to better the organization and industry; or Excellence in Construction, which pairs newer hires with seasoned mentors.
“That’s one of the amazing parts of our organization,” Wieninger explains. “The environment allows people to learn, contribute, promote and grow themselves as a construction professional, including the sustainability skill set.”
While Henderson hadn’t anticipated landing in decarbonization when he started at PCL 17 years ago, he’s glad to have made it there.
“Did I envision this as a focus from the beginning? No – but there’s lots of exciting work to do. We’re trying to effect change, and we want to be part of the solution.”
At the highest level, leading the way in sustainable solutions tightly aligns with PCL’s purpose, which includes collaborating with clients, partners and communities to build a better future together.
“PCL has built more of Canada than any other contractor,” says Wieninger. “We have a responsibility to play a part in improving not just the industry, but the communities around us.”
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.