Energy consumption across Oxford Properties Group’s Toronto office building portfolio has been driven down by a dramatic 11 per cent since 2010, a target reached almost two years ahead of schedule.
The reduction achieved represents enough energy to power close to 3,000 Ontario homes for one year.
Oxford’s energy and emissions data is collected and validated in conjunction with recognized third parties, and quantified in accordance with leading international standards and protocols.
“At Oxford, we’re committed to growing our business without expanding our environmental footprint, and sustainability continues to be one our key priorities,” says Oxford’s president and CEO, Blake Hutcheson. “It takes a lot of work and is an ongoing and collaborative effort among our employees, tenants, customers, co-owners and service providers with the support of our parent company, OMERS. We commend everyone who has contributed to this effort, and will continue to challenge ourselves with targets and initiatives to make our entire portfolio of Canadian office buildings more efficient.”
Oxford achieved this considerable energy reduction milestone as a participant in Toronto’s Race to Reduce initiative sponsored by Civic Action. Launched nearly two years ago, Race to Reduce challenged participants to cut their energy use by 10 per cent by 2014 (relative to a 2010 base year).
Major actions taken included: investing in more efficient equipment; installing real-time electricity sub-meters to better manage key base building systems (for example, lighting, heating and cooling); continually improving building management practices; working with tenants to create green teams and building-wide campaigns; and highlighting real-time energy usage on digital screens to drive awareness and encourage energy reduction.
Participating buildings included Royal Bank Plaza, TD Canada Trust Tower, Metro Centre, One University/Citigroup Place, Richmond-Adelaide Centre, Dundee Place, 2 Bloor Street West, Sun Life Financial Centre, 315 Front Street and WaterPark Place.
Oxford’s other sustainability achievements include a 29 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across all managed properties announced in 2011, as part of its target 2012 greenhouse gas reduction target (an industry first in Canada).
Approximately 500 companies in Oxford’s 17 Toronto office buildings are actively participating with Oxford in the Race to Reduce challenge.
Oxford is also a winner of the Race to Reduce Action & Innovation Award in the landlord category in recognition of achieving one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Existing Building (LEED EB) designations in Toronto.
