York Region municipalities and businesses have heard the call to action to participate in the ClimateWise Challenge. We are excited to welcome 60 municipal buildings and 15 commercial buildings into the free, friendly award and recognition competition. Click the link below to read which York Region municipalities and businesses have joined.
With more than 20 years leading environmental sustainability programs and supporting communities within York Region, Windfall Ecology Centre is creating pathways to build back better through the launch of the ClimateWise Building Challenge.
The home-energy experts at Windfall Centre took part in a web-meeting with Natural Resources Canada on March 9, 2021. The web-meeting covered the federal government's new Greener Homes Initiative
. Full details of the program are not yet available, but here is what we know so far...
Registration for the 2021 ClimateWise Building Challenge, an initiative of ClimateWise Business Network, is now open. If you are a building owner, manager, or tenant in York Region, you can take part in this exciting opportunity to take action on climate change while reducing building costs and increasing asset value.
Joining us today is Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO for The Regional Municipality of York. Wayne announces his endorsement and support for the ClimateWise Challenge and speaks to the steps York Region has taken to tackle the climate crisis.
Jeff Ranson, Regional Director for the Greater Toronto Area chapter of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), joins us today for day two of the ClimateWise Building Challenge virtual preview. The ClimateWise Challenge is an initiative of our ClimateWise Business Network program.
Kicking off our week-long virtual preview and celebration of the ClimateWise Challenge is Mayor John Taylor from the Town of Newmarket, Ontario and Brent Kopperson, Founder and Executive Director of Windfall Ecology Centre. The ClimateWise Challenge is an initiative of our ClimateWise Business Network program.
Join in on the fun! A virtual preview introducing the ClimateWise Building Challenge, hosted by ClimateWise Business Network, will begin on November 30. The week-long preview will include presentations with messages from key industry and municipal figures in York Region.
We're thrilled to be working alongside BOMA Toronto to deliver the ClimateWise Building Challenge to achieve economic and environmental benefits.
The Home Retrofit Performance Dashboards are designed to virtually assess energy retrofit performance, identify trends, segment marketing opportunities and benchmark progress at the neighbourhood level. The interactive dashboards are created in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada and display the progress our communities are making in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the EnerGuide for Houses program.
York Region municipalities and businesses have heard the call to action to participate in the ClimateWise Challenge. We are excited to welcome 60 municipal buildings and 15 commercial buildings into the free, friendly award and recognition competition. Participating in the ClimateWise Challenge has many benefits, including regional recognition in the York Region Sustainability Awards and provincial recognition in the Greater Toronto BOMA CREST Awards.
75 buildings from these organizations have committed to climate action:
As a Regional Ally of BOMA Toronto, ClimateWise Business Network invites you to explore the business and environmental benefits of joining the ClimateWise Challenge. Book a consultation by clicking the button below to learn more.
The following piece was originally published in NewmarketToday.ca
With more than 20 years leading environmental sustainability programs and supporting communities within York Region, Windfall Ecology Centre is creating pathways to build back better through the launch of the ClimateWise Building Challenge.
The ClimateWise Challenge hopes to bring awareness to the climate crisis, drawing in building owners, managers, and tenants to compete in a friendly awards and recognition competition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve building energy efficiency. The initiative is modelled after the successful Energy Star Battle of the Building competition, a U.S Environmental Protection Agency program.
“The ClimateWise Challenge is all about working with building owners, managers, and tenants in a spirited competition to reduce greenhouse gas emission,” states Brent Kopperson, Founder and Executive Director of Windfall Centre. “Competitive building challenges have emerged as a cost-effective way to motivate large numbers of people to take deliberate action to reduce emissions in the workplace.”
The impact of COVID-19 has strengthened the call to action to build back better. The ClimateWise Challenge compliments the climate action efforts made by the Town, including the recent climate emergency declaration and the Community Energy Plan. The pathways that the ClimateWise Challenge provides will reduce building sector energy use, which makes up over 25 per cent of the town’s energy use, through education, innovation, and collaboration.
Windfall Centre is leading this initiative with the support of the York Region municipalities, including the Town of Newmarket’s Mayor John Taylor, “I want to congratulate Windfall Ecology Centre for their leadership in this area for so many years and supporting our communities in best practices and guidance around the environment and climate change.”
“I’m asking Newmarket businesses and building owners to step up and do our town proud by participating in the ClimateWise Challenge,” Taylor said.
This free initiative is open to building owners, property managers, and tenants within York Region. Recognition and achievements will be presented throughout the competition at a regional level at the York Region Sustainability Awards. As a regional ally of BOMA Toronto, participants of the ClimateWise Challenge can also be recognized provincially at the BOMA Toronto Commercial Real Estate Trailblazers (CREST) awards.
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient business economy and environment in the Town of Newmarket, York Region, and beyond.
To learn more about the ClimateWise Challenge and answer the call to take action on climate change, visit www.ClimateWiseChallenge.ca
Windfall Ecology Centre is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to building sustainable communities. We have served the York region community for 20 years.
The ClimateWise Business Network is a program of the Windfall Ecology Centre. ClimateWise Business Network works with local businesses and organizations by providing one-on-one support and guidance in setting environmental targets and seeing the returns of investing in sustainability.
Windfall's annual fundraising event is back with great savings on rain barrels. Prices range from $45 to $175 and include free home delivery. There are many styles to choose from and all the accessories are available.
Graham Seaman, P.Eng., LEED AP, CEM, the Director of Sustainability and Asset Management for the City of Markham joins day three of the ClimateWise Challenge virtual preview. Graham will discuss the municipal energy plan and long-term vision to reach net zero by 2050.
Watch the ClimateWise Challenge virtual preview
View the City of Markham's Municipal Energy Plan (MEP) – Getting to Zero
Joining us today is Steven Costa, the National Solutions Developer of Energy Storage and Distributed Energy at Ameresco, Inc. Steven will discuss understanding and improving your building's existing energy infrastructure and facility use profiles.
The Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program has officially launched the Emergency Heating Replacement or "no heat" rule for customers who need immediate replacement of their natural gas furnace or boiler. This rule is available to all Enbridge customers who heat their homes with a natural gas furnace or boiler that also meet the HER program criteria. Contact a Windfall Home Energy representative for more information.
The Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program has officially launched the Emergency Heating Replacement or "no heat" rule for customers who need immediate replacement of their natural gas furnace or boiler. This rule is available to all Enbridge customers who heat their homes with a natural gas furnace or boiler that also meet the HER program criteria. Contact a Windfall Home Energy representative for more information.
Join our team of home energy experts at Windfall Centre. We are seeking enthusiastic and hardworking candidates who have a passion for working in the field of energy efficiency and are interested in pursuing a career as a Registered Energy Advisor.
Windfall Ecology Centre is proud to support Climate Action Network Canada along with over 100 member and ally organizations who signed a letter outlining key recommendations and expectations for our government in the upcoming Speech from the Throne. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Canada's action on climate change and in building a just recovery and creating a resilient future in Canadian communities and economies.
Financial assistance is available to help commercial and institutional building owners and operators implement the ISO 50001 energy management system standard. Implementing ISO 50001 within your organization will result in energy and cost savings and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Home Winterproofing program is providing a free smart thermostat to homeowners and renters who are income qualified. The ecobee3 lite, a 7-day programmable thermostat that supports third-party integrations, can help you save up to 23% a year on heating and cooling costs and create a comfortable home environment.
The third episode of the Getting to Net Zero webinar series will seek to better understand the challenges and opportunities of achieving a net zero strategy through a panel discussion with local business leaders.
Our ClimateWise Business Network is hosting a free webinar series for businesses and municipalities interested in learning about achieving net zero emissions. Click on the button below to view past webinar recordings as well as upcoming events.
ClimateWise has partnered with the City of Vaughan to conduct a survey to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency in the commercial real estate sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The working relationship with the City will also support the launch of an outreach program to the commercial real estate sector on the Energy and Water Reporting & Benchmarking (EWRB) reporting requirements.
ClimateWise Business Network founding member, the Regional Municipality of York, has been named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2020 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. Mediacorp is Canada's largest publisher of employment-related periodicals.
For the 2020 reporting year, the Government of Ontario will accept the submission of data to the Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) initiative until October 1, 2020. This is intended to be a one-time relief extension due to COVID-19. The Benchmarking Help Centre remains open to help with Portfolio Manager questions.
Following the lead of Ontario health officials, we are happy to announce Windfall on-site Home Energy Evaluations have resumed, with new safety measures in place.
The second episode of the Getting to Net Zero webinar series will focus on business strategy and carbon offsets. This webinar will feature two industry leaders from Maple Leaf Foods and AET Group with experience in working with carbon offsets and greenhouse gas reduction plans.
Officially launched by Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, the Mayors' Energy Challenge sets up a friendly competition between York Region municipalities to aid commercial building owners in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (ENDM) proposes to amend O.Reg. 506/18 to stop further rollout of the EWRB program to buildings under 100 000 sq. ft. Windfall Ecology Centre recommends that the ENDM reconsider the proposed amendment as it will impose additional cost on businesses in the long term and reduce the ability of businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Compugen and Compugen Finance were one of five nominees for Green Economy Canada's inaugural award. They were nominated for their commitment to sustainability that included reducing building energy use, encouraging employees to work remotely and managing an innovative program that incentivizes businesses to trade old IT assets for carbon offsets.
September is time to think about properly heating your house this fall and winter. The best furnace in the world won't help much if your house is drafty. Learn how to heat your home for comfort while also saving money on heating by having a home energy assessment and take advantage of the new fall bonus incentives offered through the Home Efficiency Rebate program.
On August 15, 2019, Kyle Peterson, MP for Newmarket–Aurora announced an investment of nearly $957,000 for Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution Ltd. to install and pilot a high-power overhead, on-route electric charger in Newmarket, which will help York Region phase out diesel buses and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
In May 2019, ClimateWise member Holy Trinity School won the Engaged Green Team award at the York Region Sustainability Awards. From annual waste audits to a school curriculum that emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship, HTS proves to be a true inspiration when it comes to educating, promoting and advocating sustainability!
The federal government announced a $72 million fund for small and medium businesses in Ontario to take climate action. The program will provide $20 000 to $250 000 to cover up to 25% of the costs of qualifying projects. Applications for funding are available on a first come, first serve basis until Oct 15, 2019.
We mainly think of draftproofing to keep cold winter air out, but it can also help keep warm air at bay during the summer. In a well-sealed house, you can be the one in control of air flow by strategically opening windows or placing fans. You still have time to insulate or draftproof before the next heat wave.
Energy rebates for qualifying homes are still available.
On Thursday June 6, over 150 teachers, students, parents and community partners worked together with Windfall Centre, the York Catholic District School Board, and Evergreen, to transform their Kindergarten yard into a greener space. Using prybars and wheelbarrows, volunteers got their hands dirty and removed over 700 square feet of pavement by hand!
On Thursday, June 6th Windfall Ecology Centre teamed up with the York Catholic District School Board and Evergreen to Depave the Kindergarten yard at St. John Chrysostom CES in Newmarket.
School staff, students, parents and community volunteers ripped up over 700 square feet of pavement by hand to make way for green space for the students.
Thank you to everyone who came out on to our annual York Region Sustainability Awards! Our event was a success thanks to the fantastic support from our members and sponsors.
We had a great evening networking and celebrating the achievements of over 100 sustainable businesses and community leaders throughout York Region.
Congratulations to all the award winners! We cannot wait to see what is in store for next year!
Join in a national dialogue about meeting the challenges of climate change, environmental destruction and social justice. This event is one of many Green New Deal town halls being held in communities across the country in May 2019. The input from these town halls will be used to inform a vision for a Green New Deal for all.
Spring has arrived and with it some exciting changes to the energy rebates and incentives available from our gas utilities and partners. It has never been easier for to qualify for rebates! Effective May 1, 2019 the Home Energy Conservation (HEC) from Enbridge Gas and the Home Reno Rebate (HRR) from Union Gas merge into a new offering called Home Efficiency Rebate (HER).
MP Deb Schulte, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources visits Windfall Centre for the launch of the Benchmarking Help Centre. The new initiative, funded by Natural Resources Canada, assists commercial building owners in lowering operating costs as they comply with Ontario's Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmark (EWRB) regulation.
Canada's Ecofiscal Commission releases new report to serve as a resource for Canadians who want to learn what the evidence says about carbon pricing and its impacts on emissions, the economy, affordability, and jobs.
ClimateWise Business Network is happy to announce that our waste reduction and diversion framework is now available online. Coinciding with the framework launch, our team conducted a waste audit at the Windfall Centre. We have a waste diversion rate of 74%, higher than the regional average of 62%. We are setting an ambitious target to have an 85% waste diversion rate by the end of 2020.
Windfall Ecology Centre, in partnership with the Waterloo Global Science Initiative, and Possibilian Ventures, is conducting a landscape analysis on how finance understands and responds to systemic transformation. The purpose of the project is to inform development of Canada's Agenda 2030 National Strategy which is to be released later this year.
Windfall is now scheduling FREE Home Winterproofing assessments for qualifying residents in Durham, Peterborough, and York Region. If you are an Enbridge gas customer, your home is older than 1980 and you are receiving financial assistance, we want to hear from you!
Radon is a naturally occurring odourless, tasteless, and invisible radioactive gas that is present in all homes in Canada. It is important to test the radon level in your home as high radon levels can be a risk to the health of you and your family. Health Canada has a number of free resources available.
The Emergency Heating Replacement Rule is Now Available
The Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) has officially launched the for “no heat” customers between October 15th, 2020 to March 31st, 2021.
The Emergency Heating Replacement means that customers can complete a pre-retrofit energy evaluation after an emergency replacement of their natural gas furnace/boiler. This rule is available to all Enbridge customers who heat their homes with a natural gas furnace or boiler that also meet the HER program criteria.
What you should know
Contact us today or book a call time for more information and to get started.
What is the Speech from the Throne?
The Speech from the Throne opens every new session of Parliament. It will introduce the sitting government's direction and goals, as well as outline the ways to it will work to achieve them.
A number of guests attend the reading the Speech including Members of the House of Commons, senators, and Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada.
There are two types of eligible recipients for the funding:
The funding will be used to reimburse eligible project costs as follows:
Eligible project expenditures include salaries and benefits, professional, scientific and technical fees specific to the energy management system, fees for data collection, benchmarking and analysis services, metering equipment, as well as other expenditures directly related to the project.
For more information, refer to Financial assistance for commercial and institutional buildings