NEWS RELEASE
WINDFALL ECOLOGY CENTRE
*************************
Like the rest of the world Ontario, York Region is facing a climate emergency.
The Mayors’ Energy Challenge is an action York Region Mayors have jointly undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to the climate emergency.
On Feb. 27, 2020, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor formally launched the Mayors’ Energy Challenge.
“I am proud to champion the York Region Mayors’ Energy Challenge,” said Taylor.
The purpose of the Mayors’ Energy Challenge (MEC) is to aid in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by York Region commercial buildings that are over 50,000-square-feet.
“I challenge my colleagues to increase the number of buildings participating in the provincial program measuring GHGs in their community. In October 2020, Windfall Ecology Center will again host the York Region Sustainability Awards ceremony and I hope we are all there together celebrating success,” Taylor said.
The MEC builds awareness with local businesses and commercial building owners on the opportunity to understand their buildings’ energy performance through the participation in the Provincial Energy and Water Reporting & Benchmarking Program (EWRB).
To date, only 245 buildings, which is 34 per cent of York Region buildings required to report, have participated in the EWRB program. Many York Region building owners are unaware of the EWRB regulation and the value it provides.
Recognition at the annual Windfall Ecology Center Sustainability Awards includes recognition of building owners who are setting the pace in sustainable building performance, municipalities who achieve high EWRB participation rates as well as recognize innovative efforts by municipal governments in the area of sustainability.
“If we are going to make a difference and deal with the urgent need to address climate change, we need our business community to examine their buildings, to understand their energy consumption and to explore a path forward to a greener future” Taylor said.
“Municipalities are taking action to address climate change, and the Mayors’ Energy Challenge is one more action that provides an opportunity for commercial buildings to showcase their accomplishments while improving the competitive position of their buildings,” he added.
The awards event is tentatively scheduled to take place Oct. 13, 2020 at the KPMG corporate offices within the Vaughan Metropolitan Center.
Description of Windfall Ecology Centre
Windfall Ecology Centre is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to building sustainable communities. We have served the York region community for 20 years.
Description of the ClimateWise Business Network
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.
Description of EWRB program
Energy and water reporting and benchmarking (EWRB) is a provincial regulation. EWRB is designed to improve energy and water efficiency in large, privately-owned buildings. EWRB applies to privately-owned buildings that are 50,000-square-feet or larger. There are exemptions to the mandatory participation in the program.
*************************
