• Feature Articles
  • Digital Issues
  • News
  • Events
  • Products
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • National plumbing codes take effect in Alta on April 1
  • Electric tankless units
  • TSSA issues warning of trunk slammers
  • Advanced recirculation technology
  • Wolseley opens new store in Ajax
  • Alberta mass timber buildings can now build up to 12-storeys
  • Cordless threader
  • Ont. construction sector on the up-and-up
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
Plumbing & HVAC
  • Feature Articles
  • Digital Issues
  • News
  • Events
  • Products
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
Plumbing & HVAC
You are at:Home»News»Mixed reaction within industry over Toronto’s accelerated net zero strategy

Mixed reaction within industry over Toronto’s accelerated net zero strategy

0
By Plumbing & HVAC Staff on January 4, 2022 News
City of Toronto accelerates its net zero strategy by 10 years.

Toronto, ON — The City of Toronto has decided to accelerate its goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 10 years under its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy. As such, on Dec. 15, Toronto City Council formally adopted the Strategy, which outlines a pathway to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

In 2017, Toronto’s city council initially approved the TransformTO strategy following a global call from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5C. In 2019, the City’s council developed its original strategy to feature a net zero strategy following a vote to declare a climate emergency. The 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration Strategy included an accelerated climate action that put Toronto on the path of reaching net zero by 2040.  This strategy included actions to reduce community-wide emissions in key areas such as buildings, energy, transportation, sustainable consumption and waste, natural systems and equitable decision making. As of Dec. 15, both strategies merged to create the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.

There are those within the skilled trades that are concerned about its adoption. The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) is warning that this will put undue pressure on the building industry and significantly hamper efforts to produce much-needed housing.

“Speeding up the plan by 10 years will have a tremendous negative impact on developers and builders who are dealing with COVID-19, supply chain unpredictability, and productivity challenges,” said Richard Lyall, RESCON’s president. “Advancing the timelines beyond what was already approved by the City will only exacerbate an already difficult situation for the construction community.”

The association applauds the city council’s climate change efforts through the implementation of the Toronto Green Standard for new private and city-owned developments. They worry that unintended consequences and confusion will ensue if the city moves ahead and implements policies that differ from other levels of government.

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) applauds the newly adopted Strategy and hopes to work with the City in providing high-quality products. However, they are concerned that factors, such as the pandemic and the accelerated timeline, could create serious consequences moving forward.

“The global pandemic has severely impacted all aspects of the supply chain. With this in mind, accelerated timelines may cause unwanted consequences. Consequences such as low-quality products being dumped into the marketplace, products that are not designed to meet the Canadian climate, and of course installer readiness to design and install,” explains Dave Hughes, technical advisor of codes and standards at CIPH.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) commends the City for taking bold action to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. However, they state that it must be done with a clear view of the potential consequences for consumers, including potentially increased costs, and potential confusion for the industries expected to deliver on those expectations, reports Martin Luymes, vice president of government and stakeholder relations at HRAI. “Among those expected to aid in the energy transition, the heating and cooling industry has much of the technology and know-how needed to meet these goals, but industry members will need time and resources to adapt if they are to deliver cost-effective solutions for their customers.”

Initially, the TransformTO plan counted on renewable electrical energy resources being readily available by 2050. The newly adopted plan features a new target of net zero GHG emissions community-wide by 2040, with a set of 2030 interim targets.

To reach the 2040 goal, several 2030 goals have been established under the newly adopted Strategy. This includes requirements for all new homes and buildings to be designed and built to have near-zero GHG emissions. Additionally, GHG emissions from existing buildings must be cut in half when compared to 2008 levels. Half of community-wide energy must come from renewables or low-carbon sources. Lastly, 25 per cent of commercial and industrial floor area will have to be connected to low carbon thermal energy sources.

CIPH Commending Confusion Efficiency energy HRAI Net-Zero Reaction RESON Toronto
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleNext generation rotary hammer
Next Article Value of building permits up in November

Related Posts

National plumbing codes take effect in Alta on April 1

TSSA issues warning of trunk slammers

Wolseley opens new store in Ajax

Comments are closed.

TWITTER
Tweets by Plumbing_HVAC_
RSS Plumbing & HVAC
  • Electric tankless units
  • TSSA issues warning of trunk slammers
  • Advanced recirculation technology
  • Wolseley opens new store in Ajax
  • Alberta mass timber buildings can now build up to 12-storeys
  • Cordless threader
  • Ont. construction sector on the up-and-up
  • Equipco’s founder dies at age 73
  • Tank protection technology
  • Wolseley taking its tradeshows on the road across Canada
About
About

Plumbing & HVAC

Canada's largest and most qualified circulation to the mechanical trades.

Subscribe Now!

Recent Posts
March 24, 2023

National plumbing codes take effect in Alta on April 1

March 23, 2023

TSSA issues warning of trunk slammers

March 22, 2023

Wolseley opens new store in Ajax

Pages
  • Advertise
  • eNewsletter
  • Feature Articles
  • Get in Touch
  • News
  • Products
  • Subscribe
Copyright © 2021 Plumbing & HVAC all rights reserved | Designed and Developed by Upnorthwebs

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.