(CS3.1) Unlocking the Potential: Integrating Sustainability into Heritage Conservation

In the pursuit of a sustainable future, heritage conservation tends to encounter perceived conflicts with ambitious decarbonization goals. This presentation challenges such assumptions by highlighting the synergies between the Standards and Guidelines for Historic Places in Canada and the imperative for net-zero emissions. Contrary to common belief, these guidelines do not hinder but facilitate a journey towards decarbonization, offering a unique pathway to sustainability. Drawing upon practical experiences and case studies, this presentation showcases how heritage conservation can align with contemporary sustainability objectives. By exploring the intersection of regulatory requirements insights are assembled into overcome challenges faced by building owners who are seeking to reconcile heritage preservation with modern environmental standards. Insights from collaborations with municipalities and heritage grant programs shed light on the evolving landscape of conservation practices and their alignment with climate imperatives. We will emphasize that improving thermal performance in heritage structures doesn't always involve simply adding insulation. Through our case studies, thermal bridging analysis, and moisture studies, conducted at WSP, we've found that insulating the interior of a historic building may not always be the optimal solution to achieve decarbonization goals. Considerations such as upgrading windows and enhancing air tightness can also significantly contribute to energy efficiency. Additionally, while it's easy to compare the embodied carbon of heritage buildings to new construction, there's a lack of comprehensive data. We aim to explore how this information can lead to meaningful contributions to the sustainability of historic structures. Ultimately, this presentation advocates for a shift in how we perceive heritage conservation, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable built environment. By embracing innovation and collaboration, we can unlock potential within historic buildings, transforming them into examples of environmental stewardship.