Blog

A view of Toronto. Trees are mixed in with high rise residential buildings and low rise apartments

We thrive in better buildings – how a new bylaw could transform retrofits in the GTHA

1/2025 - The City of Toronto is introducing Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) to tackle building-related carbon emissions.

People are gathered in small groups in a green space in front of a multi-level residential building

Lowering emissions, not equity – perspectives on Toronto’s building policy

1/2025 - Toronto's emerging BEPS policy needs to be well-designed and informed by representative stakeholders and rightsholders regarding equity impacts.

Balconies sit in rows and columns on the exterior of a Toronto apartment building

What building types will be included in Toronto’s building emissions performance standards?

12/2024 - One of the most important questions in designing a BEPS is which types and sizes of buildings should be included.

Two tall buildings in the background with a flat iron building in the middle. On the left is a midrise building, and on the right is a green and white GO bus.

Commercial real estate has everything to gain from building emissions performance standards

12/2024 - The commercial real estate sector should be excited about Toronto moving forward with its Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) policy.

Getting the facts straight on green development standards

12/2024 - In the wake of a legal threat to the Toronto Green Standard, Evan Wiseman addresses several common misconceptions about the policy.

What’s next for EV charging in cities

12/2024 - What’s next for EV charging in cities and multi-family buildings? Amanda Mosca, EV Charging Program Manager, reflects on lessons from our EV Station Fund.

How Ontario’s new energy plans can tackle surging electricity emissions

11/2024 - Laura McLoskey, Climate Policy Coordinator, weighs in on various stakeholder consultations about Ontario's energy future.

Leadership is needed to follow the data and deliver widely available climate solutions

11/2024 - Bryan Purcell, VP Policy and Programs, provides his insights on the 2023 Carbon Emissions Inventory for the GTHA.

Demand for prefabricated overcladding is here, supply is catching up

11/2024 - How can we make building retrofits faster, easier, and less expensive? Keith Burrows, Director, Low-Carbon Buildings, takes us on a journey of insulation that goes on the outside of an existing building.

Net-zero energy, buildings, and infrastructure can drive Toronto’s economic development

10/2024 - With the Toronto's infrastructure, built environment, and electricity grid decades behind modernization, the time is right for the City of Toronto put net-zero at the core of its new economic plan.

Retrofit Services Manager, Kaitlin Carroll discusses an upcoming heat pump installation with Toronto Community Housing residents. Photo by Nhan Ng Productions

Extreme heat bylaws: Perspectives from our retrofit services manager

10/2024 - Our latest retrofit diary from Kaitlin Carroll, Retrofit Services Manager, offers practical considerations and explores how thoughtful planning can ensure extreme heat bylaws benefit both building owners and tenants.

How demand-side management investments deliver a reliable, low-carbon grid

9/2024 - With the right public and private investments, demand-side management is one of the best tools we have to minimize the need for gas plants and grid expansion, keep electricity costs down, and build on Ontario’s past record as a leading low-carbon power producer.