Blog

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.

Deep Retrofit Diary: A New Kind of Project Delivery

6/2021 - There’s one basic concept that is completely changing the way we do retrofits at TAF. Integrated Project Delivery integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants.

Four reasons you’re about to see more EVs in the GTHA

5/2021 - Big automakers and splashy government spending are grabbing headlines, but there are some pioneering problem-solvers in the EV world that are tackling the challenges ahead to electrify everything. TAF is funding four climate leaders across the GTHA to take on specific roadblocks to decarbonizing our transportation systems.

New strategies for navigating the net zero river delta

5/2021 - Searching for the path to net zero is a bit like trying to navigate the multiple strands of a rich and vibrant river delta. Based on a recent grant-funding project, TAF reflects on three insights to consider in this diverse and complex path.

Budget 2021 is a healthy dose for the clean economy, but climate measures lack potency

4/2021 - Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland just announced $101.4 billion in new spending. With the trend toward increasing emissions in the Great Toronto and Hamilton Area and other cities across Canada, there are welcome investments in Budget 2021 to support urban climate action, but a critical missing link is missing.