“Canada’s Clean50” honourees were announced in late September, celebrating the accomplishments of 50 sustainability leaders in 16 categories. In the Building – Design, Development and Management category, Dan Rames, Director of Energy Management at CAPREIT was honoured for his sustainability efforts achieved through retrofits, individual unit metering, and tenant engagement.
Through energy investments in one building alone, a savings of more than 42,000 m3 per year in gas consumption was achieved, facilitating a first-place sustainability ranking (among 200+ buildings) on the Tower Renewal Benchmark. Under Rames’ leadership, water and recycling are ongoing priorities as well, with smart data technology earning the company a win in Toronto Mayor John Tory’s Towering Challenge. Dan’s work not only improves the tenant experience, but also builds on the company.
Almost 600 nominations were considered before the Clean50 and 10 Emerging Leaders were selected. Gavin Pitchford, the Clean50 Executive Director and Delta Management Group CEO observed: “While the contribution of some winners, such as Minister McKenna’s enormous contribution to protecting the environment, pricing carbon and pivoting Canada towards a much cleaner energy path are more high profile – every person on the Clean50 list has made substantive and significant contributions. Excellent examples include two of our R&D winners, who have made headlines in scientific circles around the world for the ground-breaking ways they capture carbon in algae, and return plastic to its virgin state.”
Mr. Pitchford went on say, “Selecting Clean50 winners becomes more exciting each year. We have the luxury of considering nominations from across the country with an amazing range of backgrounds. For instance, this year winners include tidal power pioneers from Nova Scotia, an Alberta oil company executive, a cricket farmer from Ontario, BC civic leaders who are revolutionizing our approach to waste, and scientists and CEOs from Quebec and Ontario who are capturing carbon.”
On September 28, over 110 Clean50 incoming and alumni members will gather in Toronto for the Clean50 Summit 7.0. Working sessions with 10 different groups of thought leaders will consider solutions to climate change related issues, seeking to speed collaboration on solutions that can be implemented before Canada’s 175th birthday. The sessions are followed by dinner and awards.
This year’s award winners will receive plaques fashioned in-part from the “Maple Leaf Forever” tree, reputed to have inspired Alexander Muir to pen Canada’s unofficial anthem in 1867.
Past honourees include Premiers Kathleen Wynne of Ontario, Phillippe Couillard of Quebec and Rachel Notley of Alberta, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and Galen G. Weston of Loblaw.
The complete list of winners, their affiliations, locations and related information can be found at to http://www.clean50.comfor more information.
