At a time when community stakeholders care more about the environment than ever before, a newly updated Green Communities Guide from Canada's Land Stewardship Centre highlights the environmental, economic and health benefits in nature-based solutions (NBS).

The future of energy-efficient housing in Calgary has been given a boost, with a major homebuilder now offering a net-zero option on all its models.

Jayman Built recently unveiled its Quantum Performance Ultra E-Home upgrade, which results in a home designed and constructed to produce as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis.

Along with lowering monthly utility bills, green home features can also cut costs for homeowners by reducing their mortgage insurance premium.

Depending on the home's degree of energy efficiency, up to a quarter of a borrower's premium can be covered by a rebate through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) Green Home program.

New energy savings programs set to save Albertans money

Saving money and energy in your home has just gotten a whole lot easier.

The province has announced details of energy savings programs aimed directly at all Alberta residents, whether they are homeowners, renters, or businesses.

Solar has come a long way in Alberta, say experts

When we last saw headlines from Alberta's home solar energy sector, the news was a bit discouraging. But things have changed, and solar power is now looking like an increasingly bright idea.

Back in 2012, University of Alberta professor Andrew Leach analyzed the costs of Enmax's solar panel leasing program and publicized his finding that homeowners who participated would actually pay more for power than those who stayed with a conventional plan.

Enmax concurred, saying the program was aimed at people who had reasons other than economic ones for choosing solar power.

Tips on how to minimize your carbon footprint when moving

Between packing boxes and hauling all of your earthly possessions, moving can be a real drag – especially on the environment.

From fuel emissions to cardboard boxes, the carbon footprint that comes with moving can be tremendous, said Zach Williams, digital marketing manager at Highland Moving & Storage Ltd., which operates Calgary's eco-friendly movers Frogbox.

Luckily, Williams said green moving is a growing market thanks to the public's increased awareness of the issue of climate change.

Corporate social responsibility plays into homebuilders' decisions to go green

If you do the right thing corporately, the rewards will come.

That's the succinct explanation of how social responsibility can affect a company's bottom line from the president of one of Alberta's largest homebuilders.

Reza Nasseri's Landmark Group of Companies not only builds about 800 homes annually; it is one of the greenest homebuilders in the province.

"If you don't do something to protect the environment, it is a crime," said the electrical engineer. "I've been pushing this (green building practices) for a long time."

Residential homeowners left in the dark as province rolls out solar energy incentives

While the sun is set to shine a little brighter on some Albertans with news the provincial government will be offering increased incentives for solar power, others in the province are saying they're being left in the dark.

The Alberta government recently announced a $5-million Municipal Solar Program as part of its Climate Leadership Plan. Included in the plan are rebates of up to $0.75 per watt, to a maximum of $300,000 per project, to communities that install solar panels or set up solar panels in fire halls, community centres and offices.

Another $500,000 will go toward Alberta farmers who wish to generate their own electricity.

However, with the program largely ignoring the vast majority of residences, critics of the new incentives say they don't do enough to encourage more Albertans to go green.

The City of Calgary suggests changing up some holiday acts to decrease environmental impact

The City is urging residents to green up their season this year with some easy tips.

"It doesn't have to be complicated to cut back our environmental impact this time of year," said Claire Beckstead, corporate environmental specialist witht he City. "There are many simple green actions Calgarians can take that lessen our impact on the environment while keeping the fun and excitement of the season."