Toronto updates green standards to lower emissions on new buildings
January 17, 2018 | By Jillian Morgan
Under the standard, 20 projects have certified as tier two high performance buildings, the city’s highest level of sustainable design. (Photo: Carl Pawloski)
The City of Toronto, ON, has updated its green development standards program in an effort to reach zero emissions for all new buildings by 2030.
Updates to the Toronto Green Standard, effective May 2018, support the city’s Zero Emissions Buildings Framework.
Introduced in 2010, the standard requires new buildings to improve air and water quality, reduce energy use and waste and enhance tree cover and wildlife habitat.
ENERGY STAR certified HVAC systems, low-flow hot water fixtures and appliances and heat recovery ventilation are a few of the listed methods to improve efficiency and reduce gas emissions.
The standard combines mandatory targets with incentivized, voluntary targets.
Over 1,300 projects have been subject to these standards, resulting in the removal of over 115,205 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, according to the city.
The goal is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to the equivalent of taking more than 250,000 cars off the road each year.
Toronto’s low-carbon goals were first established in the TransformTO climate change action plan.
“We are already seeing TransformTO help ensure the long-term vibrancy and liveability of our city with our raised Green Standard,” said Mayor John Tory. “I look forward to supporting full funding for TransformTO when this year’s budget comes up for a vote next month.”
The city is also targeting zero emissions for its own new facilities, to be designed and built by 2026, starting with the Mount Dennis childcare centre located in Toronto, ON. www.toronto.ca
