Since 2005, Toronto Community Housing has been engaged in an ambitious plan to develop and implement an environmental policy for their staff, residents and communities. These efforts not only aid in protecting valuable natural resources and reduce growing energy bills, but help ensure a higher standard of living and improved working conditions. In support of this work, TAF has recently provided grants to test two new energy efficiency technologies for high-rise buildings. The first, a small-scale combined heat and power plant, will test out the reliability of this technology in meeting emergency power requirements for on-site hot water needs, as well as local power generation. The second, a solar roof, aims to reduce natural gas consumption for space heating by using a solar air heating roof technology. The results will be used to inform the adoption of these technologies across more than 2200 TCHC buildings plus others, city-wide, in order to achieve substantial ongoing emissions reductions. Now that’s putting green to work!

TAF is contributing $75,000 to both of these pilot technology projects.

Greening Ontario's energy Act

In collaboration with many of Canada’s leading climate agencies, First Nations, power developers, farmers and landowners, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is leading an alliance of stakeholders to develop North America’s first Green Energy Act. OSEA's work will lay the foundation for policies to guide Ontario’s energy future, a future that emphasizes power conservation and the rapid deployment of renewable energy. Through consultations with citizens, businesses and the public sector, this coalition will work to reinforce commitments, establish a roadmap to success and identify real opportunities and global best practices to ensure that Ontario’s electricity system remains viable. With $60 billion being allocated to an aging and out-of-date electricity system, now is the time to be creative, progressive and active in securing Ontario’s green energy future. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.greenenergyact.ca.

TAF provided grants totalling $146,000 over two years to OSEA for the development and advocacy of Ontario’s Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) – a key element of the proposed Green Energy Act.

Click here for more information on TAF's grants program.

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The Toronto Atmospheric Fund would like to congratulate all of the inspiring residents, community groups and organizations who were recognized as finalists for the 2008 Green Toronto Awards. In particular, TAF would like to acknowledge our program partners and grantees who were nominated for their efforts in making Toronto a greener, healthier, more vibrant community:

• City of Toronto Better Buildings Partnership
• greenTbiz
• Toronto Community Housing
• University Health Network

 

Toronto is ready to Live Green

Live Green Toronto is a new, five-year program to promote and support neighbourhood-based actions to green Toronto. Live Green Toronto's expertise, funding and one-stop website full of resources, rebates and tips, will help turn great green ideas into actions that reduce emissions, protect our climate and clean our air. For more information, visit www.livegreentoronto.ca