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Empowering a First Nation Community: Sustainable Housing and Transporation Strategy

  • Client: M'Chigeeng First Nation

Services Provided

  • Net-Zero Housing Policy Analysis
  • EV Transition Strategy
  • Infrastructure Feasibility Study
  • Researched Funding & Incentives

Over a decade ago, a First Nation Community in Northern Ontario embarked on a remarkable journey, installing wind turbines on their land, as a symbol of their dedication to sustainability and a brighter future. This community spans approximately 3,000 hectares of land and is home to over 3,000 individuals, with 1,000 residing on reserve. Eager to further reduce their environmental footprint, they looked externally for help to explore additional green initiatives. One of the consulting engineering firms brought YellowYellow to research and assess net-zero housing policies by looking at building codes and energy-efficient design across Canada. Help was also needed to identify funding options to finance this ambitious sustainability project. The objective was clear: to develop a robust case for transitioning the community to net-zero housing, backed by both environmental and financial data.

THE CHALLENGE - New Scope

Just prior to presenting the net-zero report to community leaders for feedback, YellowYellow was asked to expand the scope of the project beyond housing and evaluate the current state of transportation to create a more holistic view of the future. They sought to understand the potential impact of transitioning to Electric Vehicles (EVs). This expansion posed challenges due to the tight timeline and the need for a comprehensive analysis of GHG emissions, financial implications, and infrastructure requirements.

OUR APPROACH

YellowYellow’s approach was both collaborative and specialized. We divided our expertise into two dedicated teams to ensure a comprehensive analysis:

Net-Zero Housing Plan:

Led by one of our associates, this team delved into building codes across Canada that aligned with net-zero energy standards. They analyzed energy-efficient designs tailored to the community’s specific conditions.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Transition Analysis:

  • Another team, spearheaded by a different associate, took on the challenge of the EV transition. They assessed the community’s current fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles and researched suitable EV alternatives, with a particular focus on their preference for pick-up vehicles.
  •  A cost-benefit analysis was conducted, comparing the upfront costs of transitioning to EVs against projected annual savings and potential government incentives.
  •  The team also studied the potential reduction in GHG emissions the community could achieve by making the switch to EVs.
  •  Throughout the process, both teams collaborated closely with the community, ensuring our recommendations were both practical and aligned with their values.

ADDED VALUE - Anticipating their Needs

We went a step beyond and investigated EV charging infrastructure, analyzing different options and identifying unique funding opportunities. While range anxiety associated with the EV transition would be minimal due to the availability of EV chargers near the community, we contacted the top EV charging companies in the region. We analyzed the options, including incentive funding. Through these interviews, we unexpectedly stumbled upon an opportunity to collaborate with another community that was further along in the journey to build EV infrastructure.This collaboration offered further insights and accelerated our planning process.

THE RESULT

Our comprehensive analysis extended beyond housing to encompass the broader environmental and economic implications of an EV transition. This First Nation Community stands as a testament to the transformative power of visionary thinking and sustainable action. With a clear environmental and business case established for both net-zero housing and transportation, the community leaders, equipped with our insights, are now actively exploring funding solutions to bring these ambitious projects to fruition.

Ready to Transform Your Community’s or Company’s Future? Connect with YellowYellow today and embark on a journey towards a sustainable tomorrow.

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"If you are looking for a knowledgeable and resourceful partner to navigate a sustainability project, YellowYellow ESG Advisory is an excellent choice. Their expertise is grounded in practical experience and enthusiasm for ongoing learning and development to stay up to date on complex and evolving E,S&G"
Our Client

The YellowYellow ESG Advisory HQ is located on the traditional, unceded territory of many nations including the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Toronto is also covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

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Jeff Garcia-Seminario

AssociateSenior Associate, Social Impact
Jeff brings global experience in leading corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community engagement projects in the extractive sector.   Jeff excels in stakeholder mapping, community engagement, and conflict resolution.   Applying his private and public sector experiences, Jeff can bridge cultural and historical divides between extractive industries and their communities.  His areas of focus include food security, sustainable procurement, and good governance. Most recently, Jeff contributed to the development of an ESG strategy for a multi-national company.  
Jeff’s native language is Spanish. He enjoys morning runs in the neighboring parks. 

Kaitlyn D'Lima

Associate

Kaitlyn D’Lima holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science and Sustainability Management degree from the University of Toronto.   She is also trained in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting.

She brings extensive experience in sustainability and business transformational projects. She is known for her ability to execute projects of any size with both urgency and accuracy.   Kaitlyn has a natural talent for improving stakeholder engagement. She’s a real trailblazer when it comes to benchmarking and research.

Kaitlyn is a runner who participates in outdoor adventure races.

Arun Balu Pazhayannur

Advisor

Arun B Pazhayannur holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is a Chartered Accountant. He also has an MBA from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. Along with his academic achievements, he has a thorough knowledge of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, which he incorporates into his consulting work. 

Arun is well-known for his leadership abilities as well as his strong skills in data analysis, financial modeling, and operations management. He has been recognized for his ability to identify practical solutions and deliver value to clients ranging from banks to payment companies to software providers. Arun is also a past President of Toastmasters Club. 

In his free time, Arun enjoys scuba diving.In his spare time, Arun likes to scuba dive. 

Gregory Donovan

Senior Advisor

Gregory  Donovan is a Chartered Accountant. He is a Fundamentals of Sustainable Accounting (FSA) Credential Holder.  He obtained an Honours in Business Adminstrations (HBA) from the Ivey Business School (Western University) and a Master or Laws (LLM) from the London School of Economics. Gregory is the CEO of Avondale Private Capital, a sustainable finance firm focused on energy transition finance and carbon markets.  He has presented on these topics at conferences in Canada, the US and UK.  

Greg participates in the occasional triathlon and loves to go skiing and sailing with his two young children.

Margaux Loptson

Associate & US Operations Lead

Margaux Loptson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Pennsylvania State University. In addition, she holds several research certifications, including Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. 

She has been an essential player in AI-powered teaching and learning projects as a User Experience (UX) lead.  Margaux is known for applying her design thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills to make a positive impact. She is a native French speaker. 

Margaux is a fitness enthusiast who can be found hiking around Central Park in NYC.

Ritika Jain

Associate / Responsible Supply Chain Lead

Ritika Jain holds a Masters in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from Lund University (Sweden)  and a Bachelor of Technology from Indraprastha University (India). As a lifelong learner, she is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Toronto.

Ritika is a recycling and responsible supply chain specialist.  Through her work, she collaborates with organizations to implement circular economy focused policies to ensure compliance with regulations.  

Her proficiency in data analytics and with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) enable her to manage complex sustainability data. Ritika also volunteers with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, engaging with youth to drive positive change.  

Ritika is a native Hindi speaker.  She is a certified hiking leader who enjoys travelling.

Jonathan Spence

Associate & Western Canada Operations Lead

Jonathan Spence holds an Honours Bachelor of Integrated Sciences (Earth and Environmental Sciences) from McMaster University and has his certification in Geographic Information Sciences from the ESRI Canada Center of Excellence at McMaster University. Jonathan worked as a research analyst in the environment and sustainability group for a TSX listed company.  

He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta, where he is researching the development of carbon capture techniques and their applications to the mining industry.  Jonathan is focused on helping companies to minimize their carbon footprint while supporting their economic growth.   

Jonathan is an avid water polo player and coach. He plays for the local National Championship League team. 

Gurnoor Gandhi

VP Business Development & Strategic Partnerships

Gurnoor Gandhi holds an MBA from Ivey Business School (Western University) and a postgraduate diploma in Maritime Energy Management (Sweden). Gurnoor brings experience with sustainability frameworks including TCFD, GRI, and CDP and is pursuing FSA credential (SASB). 

Gurnoor has global leadership experience in the shipping industry managing assets worth millions of dollars on the high seas and has led diverse teams worked in Monaco, Singapore, and India. Most recently, he led organizational development and client partnerships at CARD, a non-profit focused on rural development and renewable energy.

Gurnoor brings a blend of technical and leadership skills. He applied his knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting and carbon capture to support clients with niche energy transition projects. He is known for putting his problem-solving, stakeholder management, and project management skills to work to help firms expedite their ESG Journey. 

Gurnoor is a certified BMW adventure motorcyclist who finds off-road rides rejuvenating for body and spirit.  He enjoys hiking with his family.

Lisa-Annabel Ellis

Founder & CEO

Lisa Annabel Ellis holds an Honours Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Ivey Business School (Western University). She is a certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) with a Six Sigma Green Belt. Lisa is a Fundamentals of Sustainable Accounting (FSA) Level II Candidate. Applying her deep expertise in business and operational strategies, she has led award-winning transformational initiatives.

Drawing on her well-rounded science and finance expertise, she launched YellowYellow to help clients advance their sustainability practices. As an advocate of transparency and good governance, she partners with clients to understand their risks and opportunities to generate superior long-term value. Stakeholders across the value chain recognize the impact of this effort. She has been called upon to be a keynote speaker and lecturer.

Lisa is an advanced scuba diver who enjoys most water-related sports.