About the Webinar
This webinar will introduce key insights from the Landscape Carbon Benchmarking Study - commissioned by the City of Toronto and prepared by DTAH - which establishes benchmarks for the carbon intensity of private urban development landscapes. By analyzing ten representative development sites in Toronto, the study quantified upfront emissions and sequestration, identified the most carbon-intensive assemblies, and demonstrated how alternative design decisions can meaningfully shift outcomes. The findings establish a reference point for both practitioners and policymakers, creating a shared framework for carbon-conscious design.
The session will begin with insights from the Shayna Stott from the City of Toronto, who commissioned the study as part of their leadership in low-carbon development. She will explain why the City undertook this work and what it means for the future of municipal planning and policy. This perspective sets the stage for understanding not just the technical aspects of the study, but its significance as a tool for city-building at scale.
Colin Berman of DTAH will then present the study's findings and explore how benchmarks and recommendations can be applied in practice. For landscape architects, the report offers methods to integrate carbon analysis into design workflows. For municipalities, it provides policy pathways - standardized reporting insights, reduction targets pathways, and a call for open source reference libraries - that can embed carbon analysis into approvals processes across Canada.
Join us to learn how this study can shape the future of carbon-conscious landscape architectural practice and policy nationwide.
Thursday, October 30 at 2:00 ET
Note: This event will be held in English with French translation services provided.
Recommended Resources
- Climate Positive Design
- Climate Positive Design: Design Toolkit
- Carbon Conscience
- Climate Action Field Guide for ASLA Members
- Decarbonizing the Design Process Guide
- Navigating Environmental Product Data Guide
- Decarbonizaing Specifications Guidelines
- One Click LCA
About the Presenters
Colin Berman
As cities face the pressures of climate change and urban growth, Colin helps shape public spaces that work harder - cooler streets, greener waterfronts, and parks that do more with less. An Associate Partner at DTAH in Toronto, he focuses on nature-based infrastructure, climate resilience, and practical low-carbon strategies. His work spans planning and implementation, linking policy to place through grounded collaboration and clear-eyed problem-solving.
Shayna Stott
Shayna has been part of the Environmental Policy team with the City of Toronto City Planning Division for over 15 years. Her work has focussed on addressing the climate and biodiversity emergencies through the planning process. In her role, Shayna has co-lead the development and implementation the Green Roof Bylaw and the Toronto Green Standard and is one of the division leads on Green Infrastructure policy. Her work focuses strongly on the use of nature-based solutions to address climate challenges and the development of tools to support the City of Toronto in the implementation of environmental policies.
This webinar is offered through landADAPT:
A new continuing education program to promote building capacity through professional development opportunities for Canadian landscape architects, supported by Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program.