The global urgency for climate action has an upside companion in global opportunities for strategic investment that could improve people’s lives and yield sustainable returns.

This year’s top achievers in the friendly competition with serious intent will be announced on September 16 when the annual CREST (commercial real estate sustainability trailblazers) awards are bestowed.

Commercial buildings in Toronto’s neighbouring York Region can now join the challenge and gain eligibility for the Commercial Real Estate Sustainability Trailblazers (CREST) awards.

While teams are still focused on an electricity-saving target, the race2reduce, sponsored by BOMA Toronto, has now expanded its mandate to include water, gas, solid waste and overarching climate leadership.

The 2020 race2reduce field boasts more than 1,730 buildings encompassing 248 million square feet of space in common areas and tenant premises — an increase from 650 buildings covering 95 million square feet in 2019.

Commercial real estate industry trailblazers (CREST) were recognized, as participants in Toronto's race2reduce continue to pursue a target to collectively reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent compared to 2017 usage.