Energy Management
New water use initiatives afloat in summer 2024
New water use initiatives from the Canadian government and the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) have been unveiled for public input over the course of summer 2024.
Energy data refines ESG performance metrics
Energy efficiency will gain standing in the 2025 GRESB assessment when the global benchmark for ESG performance of commercial real estate portfolios introduces revised scoring for its energy performance metric.
New green buildings strategy mostly a rehash
The Canadian government’s newly released green buildings strategy contains little that is actually new for commercial real estate or public sector facilities.
Prized office tenant steps up green demands
Ottawa landlords are contemplating a list of new expectations from a prized office tenant following recently announced updates to the federal government’s green operations strategy.
Buildings sector pulls back on GHG throttle
Greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s buildings sector indicated improvement in 2022 in keeping with the general results of the newly released national inventory report.
Energy storage prompts a battery of precautions
In step with the projected surge in energy storage installations, fire safety advisors are actively working to help clean tech adopters understand and mitigate the risks.
CRE fosters all-in approach to decarbonization
Daunting net zero targets in the buildings sector are spurring an all-in approach to decarbonization that assigns roles to finance, engineering, management and operational teams.
Building electrification projects impart lessons
The business case for electrification works best when retrofits are synced with the end-of-life of existing mechanical equipment and/or asset repositioning plans
Outdoor lighting principles hail the dark side
Guiding principles for responsible nighttime lighting define how light should be applied, but, first, prospective installers are advised to consider whether lighting is even necessary.
Climate action levers key amid competing crises
Strategists are pondering the most effective climate action levers to keep attention focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions as other events and pressures commandeer priority-setting agendas.
Generative AI poised to realign CRE status quo
Emerging generative AI applications could realign the status quo within commercial real estate’s property administration, brokerage and investment management services.
Promises aplenty ahead of Manitoba election
Manitobans are hearing promises aplenty as political parties offer up tax cuts, rate freezes and incentive programs ahead of the provincial election, set for October 3.
Rooftop solar photovoltaics spark safety advice
Rooftop solar PV installations pack a potentially lethal electrical charge, necessitating vigilant monitoring and maintenance of the many system components.
Global energy appetite eats up efficiency gains
The global buildings sector made some headway in curbing its energy appetite and output of greenhouse gas emissions last year, but is still off-pace to achieve the International Energy Agency's targets.
Canada to pursue energy efficiency improvements
Canada has joined 44 other national governments, worldwide, in endorsing the International Energy Agency's push for a 4 per cent annual reduction in energy intensity by 2030
Ontario offers bonus incentives for retrofits
Bonus incentives for energy efficiency upgrades will be available to select commercial and multifamily landlords and condominium corporations in Ontario during the second and third quarters of 2023.
Ontario awaits patchy debut of discount power
Most condominium corporations and rental housing landlords will need to make capital investments in energy storage to realize the benefits of Ontario's ultra-low overnight electricity rate.