Durham Region launches Greener Buildings program with goal of 450 buildings reporting by 2026
Durham Region has launched the Durham Greener Buildings Program, which is designed to help building owners participating in Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting Benchmarking (EWRB) program measure and disclose energy and water use. The region set a target of reaching 70 per cent participation in EWRB—about 450 buildings across Durham Region—by 2026.
For residents, the program could affect energy and water reporting and management practices in commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential buildings across the region, including how building owners track and compare energy and water use over time.
The region says the program will run over three years, during which participating buildings will disclose energy performance data. Durham Region says the disclosures are intended to help track usage and compare results with similar buildings.
Durham Region also expects more than 600 public-sector buildings to enroll in the program.
Windfall Ecology Centre is administering the program and collecting information from buildings across Durham Region, according to the regional government. Windfall is a non-profit organization that delivers home energy retrofits.
The program includes an awards and recognition competition focused on reducing building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Durham Region says the competition is free and open to building owners and property managers.
In a statement included with the announcement, Durham Regional Chair John Henry said commercial buildings across Durham Region account for “close to a third” of Durham’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Durham Region says the program is part of the Region’s Community Energy Plan. Durham Regional Council declared a climate emergency on Jan. 9, 2020.