Blog

TransformTO: Full funding is critical for climate action

1/2018 - When it comes to meeting Toronto’s climate targets, words are not enough. We need to invest to achieve our goals, starting now. That’s why the Council decision on the TransformTO 2018 operating budget is so important. Read TAF's letter to the City's Budget Committee.

Picture2050: Today’s photos can show us our future city

1/2018 - To create something, you must first be able to picture it. Such visions often sprout from a seed that already exists; something you would like to see grow and expand to reach its potential. This is very much the idea behind the current #Picture2050 photo contest that's inspired by the TransformTO climate plan for Toronto.

Best bang for our climate bucks: Looking beyond cost per tonne

1/2018 - Would anyone ditch all fruits and vegetables and switch to a carbs-only diet because it's the cheapest? Obviously not. Likewise, governments shouldn't solely focus on cost per tonne of emissions reduced when it comes to investing public dollars in climate action. A nuanced approach is what we need.

Money on the table: Why investors miss out on the energy efficiency market

12/2017 - Energy efficiency retrofits in Canada represent a multi-billion dollar market opportunity, yet investment levels remain low. TAF's latest report identifies three market failures that hamper investment and maps out how to overcome them based on international best practices.

After the Big Move: Metrolinx maps the future of regional transportation

12/2017 - The GTHA keeps growing, so how will regional transportation keep up? A new draft plan by Metrolinx sets out a path to 2041. TAF and Pembina Institute took a closer look at what works and what's missing in the 20-plus year planning document that will shape how we get around the region.

TowerWise: TAF launches new phase of energy retrofit program

12/2017 - We spend the vast majority of our time indoors, but we rarely make the connection between our activities and the fact that buildings are a major source of carbon emissions. We need to significantly improve the way existing buildings perform – and we need to do it quickly. TAF is doing just that with the next phase of its TowerWise retrofit program.

Energy efficiency 101: Why do an energy retrofit?

12/2017 - Operating a building is costly – with energy costs usually being the largest variable expense building operators can influence. An energy efficiency retrofit is the best way to reduce these costs. But there are more benefits, our VP of Impact Investing Tim Stoate explains.

From Germany to Canada: There’s no way around the transport transformation

12/2017 - The auto industry faces the largest transformation of its history as the future of the internal combustion engine, private ownership of cars, and even driving itself as an expression of individuality are all in question. Car makers in Germany and Canada need to face these simultaneous challenges or risk losing out, guest blogger Christian Hochfeld writes.

TransformTO Steps: Tackling costly air pollution through investment in low-carbon actions

11/2017 - When it comes to sources of air pollution in Toronto, transportation is king, according to the most recent report from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. It's time to act and speed up the switch to low-carbon transportation. It's good for public health and for our climate.

Focus group session at Vaughan City Hall

Getting to know the region: Climate action in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area

11/2017 - Following our new $17-million endowment from the Province of Ontario, TAF has been actively engaging key stakeholders to better our regional granting process and hear about climate action initiatives throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA).

COMPASS: Better buildings through streamlined energy reporting and benchmarking

10/2017 - Energy modelling helps gauge and improve a building’s energy performance before it’s actually built. TAF recently supported the development of a new tool that will help compare and share such energy modelling data across Ontario.

TransformTO Steps: Toronto moves towards Zero Emissions Buildings

10/2017 - As Toronto continues to grow quickly, we need to get emissions from new construction under control if we want to reach our 2050 climate target. That’s Council approval for the Toronto Green Standard 3.0 for new buildings is such an important step.