Blog

Smart Thermostat Retrofits Improve Comfort and Reduce Emissions

3/2019 - New TAF research estimates smart thermostat retrofits in multi-unit residential buildings can provide 8.8-11.8 per cent energy savings while also providing tenants with comfort and control.

Ontario environment plan needs a better bang for its buck

3/2019 - Let’s focus on a potential opportunity: how Ontario can accelerate private sector investment in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Specifically, the proposed Ontario Carbon Trust (OCT) can succeed if it uses public funds to mobilize private capital and deliver local climate solutions.

Heat Pumps Reduce Energy Consumption up to 32% in Retrofits

2/2019 - Guest blog by Erik Janssen, Analyst, at Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP), Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

Partnership Brokering Training – What Does it Offer from the Funder Perspective?

2/2019 - "Given a prevailing aspiration towards deep, systemic shifts to improve social, environmental, cultural and economic conditions, our sights are ultimately set on partnerships that deliver transformative change versus simply transactional or adaptive improvements." Guest blog by Rebecca Aird from the Ottawa Community Foundation.

Seven recommendations on the 2019 TransformTO budget

2/2019 - …

Exciting news: Toronto’s carbon emissions are declining. What does it mean?

2/2019 - Toronto’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory shows how Toronto measures up compared to its goal of reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Learn more about these significant results and emerging trends from the inventory and how the TransformTO plan is working to address the challenges in TAF’s summary report here.

Hamilton’s business community is turning industrial waste heat to energy

1/2019 - The Atmospheric Fund provided grant funding for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to accelerate innovative industrial energy solutions in the Bayfront area. Find out more about how this industry-led project will reduce emissions and increase business competitiveness by optimizing uses of industrial waste heat.

Cities can’t lead from behind: TAF reviews Ontario climate plan

12/2018 - Unfortunately, Ontario’s proposed climate plan, Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, could weaken cities’ potential to contribute to climate protection in three ways.

The Urban Anthropocene: An AGO Podcast with TAF CEO Julia Langer

12/2018 - In the AGO's new "Into the Anthropocene" podcast, our CEO Julia Langer talks about about the role of cities in the fight against climate change and what "cityzens" can do to help.

Fall Economic Statement has benefits for urban climate action

11/2018 - New tax incentives from the federal government's Fall Economic Statement show promise for climate action. Plus, a national Social Finance Fund. Here's our summary on the TAF blog.

Crunching the numbers: Financial analysis on boiler replacement

11/2018 - What if we told you that even though your boiler has two years left of life, now is the right time to replace it? Tim Stoate, TAF VP of Impact Investing, crunches the numbers and provides a financial analysis for costing energy efficiency measures like a boiler replacement.

People sitting and walking along King St, with streetcar in background and flowers in foreground.

Beyond the commute: Three ways that the King Street Pilot creates more liveable communities

11/2018 - Data shows an 11% increase in public transit ridership in the downtown core; this increase in ridership indicates that the pilot is working for commuters. But is it working for the rest of the community? Here are the top three ways the King Street Pilot contributes to a more livable downtown.