Commercial buildings in Canada can now be awarded a new certification of energy efficiency.
The ENERGY STAR certification was officially launched at a ceremony in Ottawa by the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources.
"Energy-efficient buildings play a key role in helping Canada achieve its greenhouse gas reduction commitments, and we are proud to recognize organizations that are leading the way," the minister said.
The label that is very familiar to appliance purchasers means the same thing for Canadians in their office workplaces as it does for the products in their homes – an energy-efficient top performer that saves money without sacrificing performance.
To qualify, buildings must meet certain criteria. Those that do typically use 35% less energy and generate 35% fewer greenhouse gas emission.
Among the first recipients of the new certification were 26 buildings from QuadReal Property Group.
"Across QuadReal's portfolio, the ENERGY STAR certifications that now appear on our buildings are a testament to the dedication shown every day by our building operators and our property management teams," said Remco Daal, QuadReal's President, Canadian Real Estate. "We are extremely proud of these teams and their focus on energy efficiency as part of our commitment to our tenants and our communities."
