Sustainability

Receptive climate for risk management brewing

Receptive climate for risk management brewing

New guidance for CRE investors and owners/managers highlights climate-related risks, recommended safeguard measures and key questions for gauging the preparedness of assets.
Solar rooftop photovoltaics spark safety advice

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

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.
Climate change adaptation efforts unfolding

Climate change adaptation efforts unfolding

Canada’s newly finalized climate change adaptation strategy sets out objectives and attaches mid- to near-term targets to bolster resilience in five key action areas.
ESG metrics inform range of CRE stakeholders

Range of CRE stakeholders demand ESG metrics

Canada’s leading commercial real estate players are increasingly turning to ESG metrics to track responsiveness to a range of emerging risks and business imperatives.
Canada to pursue energy efficiency improvements

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 on retrofits

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

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.
Sustainable finance products clear path to 2050

Sustainable finance products forge way to 2050

Sustainable finance products, are expected to increasingly come into play as building owners/managers pursue decarbonization and look to bolster the climate resiliency of their properties.
Waste biomass generation tapped for tax credit

CRE awaits spinoffs of new provincial spending

Quebec and Ontario have announced investment incentives that could have implications for land deals and/or technologies and products that commercial real estate uses.
Canadian buildings scrutinized in OECD review

Canadian buildings scrutinized in OECD review

As part of a biennial review and benchmarking of Canada’s economic performance, a new OECD report looks at progress toward the interim 2030 target and 2050 goal for net-zero carbon emissions.
Dim future for fluorescents and metal halides

Dim future for fluorescents and metal halides

Fluorescents and metal halides will be further marginalized in the lighting market with pending amendments to Canada’s regulations governing products containing mercury.
CDM program hiccups logged in Ontario review

CDM program hiccups logged in Ontario review

The COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions are frequently cited, but not the only reasons for uneven uptake of Ontario’s energy retrofit and performance incentives over the past two years.
Market transformation beckons greenwashing

Market transformation beckons greenwashing

Greenwashing is tapping into a demonstrated consumer preference for products and services with low-carbon credentials and growing interest in ESG accountability.
CRE mostly on its own to meet 2030 commitments

CRE strategizes to meet 2030 commitments

Among its many challenges, the race to meet 2030 commitments for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction could have some public relations complications.
Infrastructure

Infrastructure investment a go-to in downturn

For public partners, P3s are a means to transfer risk. For the private sector, infrastructure’s recession-proof profile dovetails with expectations for a prolonged building spree.
Human rights due diligence aligns with ESG

Human rights due diligence aligns with ESG

New guidance urges commercial real estate operators to consider how contracting, purchasing and leasing can intersect with abuse, exploitation and discrimination.