Blog

How Ontario’s proposed clean energy program will actually increase carbon

3/2022 - Ontario's proposed clean energy credit system may sound like a high-impact climate action, but it won’t lead to cleaner electricity. How can clean energy credits increase carbon pollution? Find out

Remembering Tony O’Donohue

3/2022 - Tony O'Donohue, Toronto City Councillor for 25 years and one of TAF's founders, passed away last week. His legacy is remembered in this tribute by Philip Jessup, Executive Director from 1999-2008.

Climate and affordability depend on these essential building code updates

3/2022 - Ontario’s building code is only updated every five to seven years, so we can’t afford to miss this opportunity to reduce carbon emissions by building better buildings that are cleaner and more affordable to operate. Read our recommendations to align it with an affordable, net zero future.

Embracing the challenge of multisolving

3/2022 - Many of the big, complex problems we face cannot be resolved without acknowledging their inter-connections. Multi-solving is based on the idea that “siloed” thinking is part of the problem. Only by working to find solutions that “float more boats” can we access the innovation generated in working across diverse sectors and create truly equitable solutions.

Three key climate measures for Toronto’s 2022 budget

2/2022 - Council will vote on the City Budget this Thursday: what do we want to see most? To continue its role as a climate leader, Toronto needs to shift to implementation in top three climate priority areas: Climate Lens Policy, electrification of public bus fleets, and green development standards.

Hybrid heat pumps can be a stopgap to an electric future

2/2022 - New case studies show the promise of hybrid heat pumps in the GTHA, and Erik Jansen of TRCA explores the upsides and downsides of the technology.

Toronto sets ambitious net zero target by 2040

11/2021 - TAF outlines some key components of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and provides our take on how it needs to be strengthened to achieve net zero by 2040.

Clearer view of Ontario’s electricity emissions shines a light on solar

11/2021 - Accurate emissions factors are a crucial step in decarbonizing Ontario's electricity grid. Rooftop solar PV is a striking example of how status quo methodology leaves us missing major opportunities.

YWCA Hamilton raises the bar to build amazing affordable housing

11/2021 - New YWCA building in Hamilton shows what’s possible when resident health, comfort, and the climate are put first. We interviewed key players from the design and project teams and took a tour of the facilities. Take a peek to find out how they did it.

IESO study on gas phaseout misses the point

10/2021 - As electricity emissions increase exponentially in Ontario, TAF and others including industry leaders and 31 municipalities have advocated for a fair study to explore the alternatives. IESO's new study falls fatally short.

Ontario’s repeated failure to produce a natural gas conservation plan

9/2021 - The Ontario Energy Board delayed approving a new natural gas conservation plan, extended the old framework to 2022, and froze the budget without even adjusting for inflation. Real investment in gas conservation shrinks, even while diverse voices make a case for increasing investment in cost-effective conservation.

Investing for climate and the tough search for the right deals

8/2021 - We’re seeing a lot of deal flow in the impact investing space but finding quality deals that achieve the intended impact can be a challenge. Tracy Haynes, TAF’s Investor Partnerships Manager provides insights and experiences about how transparency, patience, and partnerships can unlock new opportunities.