energy retrofits

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, raising up 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.

More efficient homes plus new local jobs can create lasting affordability

12/2023 - Community benefits strategies for major public infrastructure projects are increasingly in play.

A new building policy approach that’s working

11/2023 - Existing building performance has been historically challenging to regulate, but that’s changing with the recent proliferation of mandatory building performance standards (BPS) across North America.

Dear election candidates: Climate action means working across issues and regional lines

10/2022 - To handle the complex and intersectional issues that face our region, hopeful new leaders will need to follow the carbon and collaborate.

Breaking ground on a climate-friendly way to heat and cool homes in Toronto

7/2022 - TVO -“It’s really critical that we get all new developments to net-zero or near-zero as soon as possible. Low-carbon district energy is one way to address that challenge,” says Bryan Purcell.

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.

How To Heat Your Home Without Heating The Planet

11/2021 - CHATELAINE - CEO Julia Langer discusses practical and inspiring reasons to make the switch to heat pumps. "It's not that complicated - you don’t need fossil fuels to heat your home."

Putting out the fire: How to cleanly heat a cold country that’s hooked on natural gas

11/2021 - CORPORATE KNIGHTS - Without strong policy signals, utilities continue to invest millions annually in expanding and renewing gas distribution infrastructure, compounding the risk of stranded assets and financial disruptions.

WoodGreen breaks new ground on social housing with energy-saving project

8/2021 - NOW - WoodGreen commissioned Efficiency Capital to fund, develop, and implement a building retrofit plan, bringing in engineering firms SensorSuite Inc. and Finn Projects to do much-needed capital upgrades to the buildings. The project was funded by Efficiency Capital and The Atmospheric Fund, the City of Toronto’s Better Building Partnerships loans, and WoodGreen’s capital reserves.