Passive House developing buildings exchange plan for GTHA

TORONTO — Plans for a Zero Emissions Buildings Exchange in the Toronto area are being developed by Passive House Canada.

The concept for businesses and municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is being funded with a $40,000 grant from the Atmospheric Fund (TAF).

Passive House will develop a comprehensive concept and business plan to help stakeholders achieve significant building greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions and achieve their climate targets.

“Cities around the globe produce 70 per cent of our GHG emissions,” said Chris Ballard, CEO of Passive House Canada, in a press release. “In Toronto, 53 per cent of these emissions come from buildings. Regions like the GTHA have a critical role in reducing GHG emissions. With continued population growth and densification in the region, we recognize the central role that buildings play in our climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.”

The business plan will be developed with help from the Clean Air Partnership and the Canada Green Building Council. Passive House stated it will also seek input from municipalities, educational institutions, unions, NGOs and others to produce a concept with broad support.

Local governments and businesses in the GTHA have set their sights on high targets aligning with national and international goals to reduce GHG emissions.

Passive House noted focusing on building energy efficiency is one of the easiest and most cost-effective strategies available to reduce emissions, and one that delivers multiple benefits.

Passive House officials noted when combined with a transition to renewable energy, modernized building and retrofit standards can massively decrease carbon.

The strategy builds on the success of similar proven initiatives in other jurisdictions.

“Getting to zero carbon buildings requires a trained workforce and collaboration between green building professionals and municipalities,” said Julia Langer, CEO of TAF. “Leveraging its success in B.C., TAF champions the development of the Zero Emissions Building Exchange in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.”