GWL Realty Advisors announces national participation in Race to Reduce challenge
GWL Realty Advisors recently launched its participation in the Toronto Race to Reduce program—targeting to reduce electricity and gas consumption annually by 2.5 per cent from 2011 to 2014 for its GTA commercial portfolio of over eight million square feet. Further demonstrating a dedication to sustainability, the company is extending the Race to Reduce program to all its commercial properties across Canada.
"GWL Realty Advisors' participation in the Race to Reduce program is a demonstration of our commitment to partner with and support our tenants' efforts to reduce energy use," explains Andres Bernal, National Director, Corporate Sustainability and Energy Management, GWL Realty Advisors.
"The less energy a building consumes, the more attractive it is to tenants, employees, and the landlord, and the closer we get to our vision of a region that flourishes economically, socially and environmentally." says Linda Weichel, VP, Partnerships at CivicAction and responsible for the Greening Greater Toronto initiative.
Commercial office buildings in the Toronto region generate nearly 20 per cent of the region's carbon emissions, and consume 37 per cent of the region's electricity and 17 per cent of the natural gas.
GWL Realty Advisors has long shown its commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings it manages on behalf of its clients. The company attributes success in this area to real estate owners who invest consistently and prudently in their assets, tenants who actively participate in programs and employees who are passionate about positively shaping the environment.
Many tenants are already enjoying successful partnerships with GWL Realty Advisors in a common goal of reducing environmental impact, including Commerce Court tenant Stikeman Elliott LLP. "Our partnership with CivicAction's Greening Greater Toronto initiatives and with GWL Realty Advisors in the Race to Reduce program provides a natural extension of our sustainability commitment, affording us an opportunity to share ideas with other tenants and work towards making a significant impact on energy conservation," said Michelle Taylor, Director of Facilities at Stikeman Elliott LLP.
On November 30, GWL Realty Advisors' tenants and managed buildings received numerous awards at the inaugural Race to Reduce Awards:
• A major tenant at Commerce Court, Stikeman Elliott LLP received an Action & Innovation Award
• North York City Centre was one of two buildings to receive an award recognizing the Lowest Energy Use for a Building under 500,000 square feet.
• Several buildings earned participation awards in one of three categories based on the per centage of tenant space registered:
o 180 Queen Street West received a gold award
o 190 Simcoe Street, 600 Cochrane Drive, 330 University Avenue, and Commerce Court received silver awards
o 15, 19 and 27 Allstate Parkway, 4 King Street West, North York City Centre, Toronto College Park and Trillium, Executive Centre received bronze awards.