The race2reduce has an expanded field of potential competitors, now incorporating commercial buildings in Toronto’s neighbouring York Region in the challenge to reduce electricity, gas and water consumption and waste generation. A new collaboration between the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Greater Toronto and Windfall Ecology Centre is part of a strategy to build the participatory base and heighten the profile of the Commercial Real Estate Sustainability Trailblazers (CREST) awards.
“As we transition to a low-carbon, high-productivity economy, it is essential to recognize the successful sustainability efforts of the commercial real estate industry and to share their learnings. This kind of collaboration is how we will drive change among landlords and tenants,” maintains Susan Allen, BOMA Toronto’s president and chief executive officer. “Our partnership with ClimateWise is a significant step toward rolling out the race2reduce province-wide.”
“We are proud to be the race2reduce’s first regional partner,” concurs Brent Kopperson, founder and executive director of the Aurora-based Windfall Ecology Centre.
Through that partnership, participants in York Region’s ClimateWise Building Challenge can also opt into the race2reduce and related eligibility for the CREST awards. That’s a straightforward exercise since prospective competitors are seamlessly entered in the race2reduce when they enroll their buildings in ENERGY STAR portfolio manager — the same application that owners/managers of larger commercial buildings are already required to use to comply with Ontario’s energy and water reporting and benchmarking (EWRB) regulation.
Along with competitive incentive, race2reduce has a track record of supporting participants with education and resources to help improve operational performance and cultivate the tenant engagement that underlies a whole-building approach to energy savings, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and enhanced sustainability.
“Race2reduce is BOMA Toronto’s response to the call for climate action,” reiterates Bala Gnanam, vice president of energy, environment and advocacy. “Seventy per cent of the participating buildings are less than 100,000 square feet. By supporting these small to medium-sized buildings in their effort to improve the overall performance, we can make the greatest strides to reduce their carbon footprint.”
