Authorities introduce a reporting link for building owners to report water and energy usage
To implement a new energy and water reporting by-law, the City of Toronto in Canada has opened a reporting link that enables owners of large buildings in Toronto to report energy and water use to the City annually. According to the city, reporting and benchmarking will support the owners of large buildings in their efforts to improve environmental performance, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower operating costs and manage facilities more effectively.
In 2024, the reporting requirement applies to buildings that are 4,645 square metres (50,000 square feet) or larger (approximately 7,500 buildings in Toronto). The deadline for reporting 2023 building energy and water use is July 2, 2024.
Owners of buildings this size are already required to report the same data to the Province of Ontario. To simplify the process, owners will report their data to both the City and the province using the same free online tool called Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
Beginning in 2025, owners of buildings that are 929 square metres (10,000 square feet) or larger will also be required to report their energy and water use to the City. Buildings represent more than half of the GHG emissions in Toronto mostly due to energy and water use which can also represent some of the largest operating costs for building owners. By reporting energy and water use, building owners are able to track their buildings’ performance over time and compare it with the performance of similar buildings.
“By tracking energy and water usage, large building owners will unlock opportunities to reduce emissions, save on utility costs and make their buildings more efficient. Robust data is a critical tool for informed decision-making and action as we build a more resilient Toronto.”
Jennifer McKelvie, Deputy Mayor, and Chair of Infrastructure and Environment Committee
The city will use the data to compare the buildings’ performance and design future city programmes, policies and supports to help Toronto property owners improve their energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. The city’s Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy aims to lower GHG emissions from buildings to net zero by 2040. “This initiative is an important step in our ongoing efforts to transform Toronto so we can achieve our ambitious net zero goals. Addressing the climate emergency requires bold collective action,” added councillor Dianne Saxe, mayor’s environmental champion.
