MaRS announces Mission from MaRS: Better Buildings and upcoming launch event

TORONTO, May 15, 2024 – MaRS Discovery District today launched Mission from MaRS: Better Buildings, a new initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment. The mission is championed through funding from the Peter Gilgan Foundation — its biggest philanthropic contribution to climate efforts to date.

The buildings and construction sector is a massive contributor to the climate crisis, responsible for 37 percent of all global carbon emissions.

From construction materials to HVAC systems, emissions are created at all stages in a building’s life cycle. Emissions generated during the production of materials, the transport to construction sites and the assembly all need to be taken into account. And once construction is finished, there are the emissions associated with the energy required to run the buildings to contend with as well.

Through the mission announced today, MaRS will work with ventures and industry partners to create a more sustainable built environment and support the commercialization of high-potential Canadian technologies.

“It’s clear that if we are to achieve net zero by 2050 and address our current housing crisis, we can no longer construct and operate buildings like we’ve been doing. The good news is Canada has the innovations to tackle both challenges, but only if industry stakeholders work together toward that shared vision, which is the heart of this mission,” says Tyler Hamilton, senior director of climate at MaRS.

This mission seeks to accelerate the adoption of Canada’s most promising climate technologies in support of three objectives:

  • Reduce operational emissions of Canada’s building stock through the adoption of innovations.
  • Accelerate the uptake of low-carbon building materials and methods that will lower the embodied carbon of new buildings.
  • Amplify the role of Canadian cleantech in existing efforts to create a more resilient, adaptive and affordable built environment.

Inspired to make a difference in climate, the Peter Gilgan Foundation has been working with MaRS since 2021, with its original Climate Impact Challenge that supported innovations across energy, real estate and transportation. This work culminated in the development of the Better Buildings mission.

“The Peter Gilgan Foundation is thrilled to partner with MaRS. With our collective expertise and shared values, we are poised to magnify our potential impacts and scale technology necessary for reducing carbon emissions from the entire built environment,” says Luke Gilgan, board director at the Peter Gilgan Foundation and director of programs at the Gilgan Family Office.

“MaRS is grateful for this transformative gift from the Peter Gilgan Foundation. Philanthropy plays an increasing role in shaping the climate economy in Canada and it’s this kind of visionary support that allows for emerging tech to reach scale and impact,” says Alison Nankivell, CEO of MaRS.

The Mission from MaRS: Better Buildings launch will take place at a virtual event on June 25, 2024. It will mark the opening of a national call for venture applications, aiming to recruit a cohort of high-potential ventures with technologies focused on the built environment.

Click here to reserve your free tickets.

About MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District helps Canadian startups succeed so they can solve our toughest problems in such areas as climate, health and the economy. As North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a registered charity, MaRS provides direct support to more than 1,200 ventures, builds communities of innovators within its 1.5-million square feet of lab and office space, and spurs the adoption of new solutions — in Canada and around the world. For more information, contact mfm@marsdd.com

About the Peter Gilgan Foundation
The Peter Gilgan Foundation is a private family foundation created by philanthropist and business leader Peter Gilgan. The Foundation aims to improve the lives of children and families by empowering initiatives that help the world transition to a more healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Donations of more than $375 million have been directed toward this mission to date. The Foundation’s current focus is on children, youth and families; international development; and combating climate change.

Media Contact:
awhalen@marsdd.com