HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUS 02-26
Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: SUS 02-26
Date: May 4, 2026
From: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
Subject:
Durham Greener Buildings Program and Challenge – City of Pickering Participation
File: D-7003-032
Recommendation:
1. That Report SUS 02-26 regarding the Durham Greener Buildings Program and Challenge –
City of Pickering Participation be received;
2. That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the Terms and Conditions
Enrollment form to participate in the Region of Durham’s Durham Greener Buildings
Challenge program, subject to minor revisions as may be required by the Director,
Corporate Services & City Solicitor and/or Chief Administrative Officer; and
3. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the actions
necessary to implement the recommendations in this report.
1.0 Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to seek authorization to execute a Terms and Conditions
Enrollment form to enable the City of Pickering to participate in the Region of Durham’s
Durham Greener Buildings Challenge (DGBC). The Region of Durham developed and
launched the DGBC in 2024 and retained Windfall Ecology Centre to administer the program.
DGBC aims to help support municipalities, institutions, and businesses in improving energy
efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings. The program is a
voluntary benchmarking and public disclosure initiative for non-residential and multi-unit
residential buildings across Durham Region.
The DGBC supports and advances various sustainability goals with an emphasis on those
identified in the 2024-2029 Corporate Energy Management Plan (CEMP). Participation in the
program can help support energy benchmarking to reduce operational, maintenance, and
utility costs. Additionally, the City will be able to showcase ongoing and planned energy
projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through participation, the City will also
gain access to technical support, funding guidance, and opportunities to collaborate with other
municipalities and public-sector organizations across the region. At the time this report was
SUS 02-26 May 4, 2026
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written, all other municipalities in Durham Region had enrolled in the program, along with other
public sector agencies, such as the Durham Catholic District School Board and the Durham
District School Board for a total of 16 participants (13 from the broader public sector and 3
from commercial) across Durham Region.
To participate in the program, the City must execute the attached Terms and Conditions
Enrollment form, confirming authorization to enroll municipal buildings and share approved
energy and water consumption data through the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager platform.
This data mirrors that which the City already submits annually for the provincial Ontario Energy
and Water Reporting regulation. Legal Services staff have reviewed the form and identified no
concerns.
2.0 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan:
The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan’s Priorities of
Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships; and Lead & Advocate for Environmental
Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency.
3.0 Financial Implications:
Not applicable to this report.
4.0 Discussion:
The Region of Durham developed and launched the DGBC and retained the Windfall Ecology
Centre to administer the program with the goal to help participants accelerate building retrofits
and the adoption of sustainable building practices across the region.
4.1 Key Benefits of Participation
a. Access to Expertise, Funding and Information Sharing
The DGBC provides access to technical experts and strategic guidance, helping participants
pursue funding from provincial, federal, and private sources. This support enhances the City’s
ability to develop high-impact energy projects without placing additional strain on municipal
budgets. Additionally, participation offers valuable learning opportunities through information
sharing with other Durham Region municipalities.
b. Alignment with Existing Commitments
DGBC enhances the City’s ability to measure and track energy use with a goal to reduce utility
costs. As reported in the 2024-2029 CEMP, Corporate building emissions have increased by
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Page 3
19% since 2018 and are now responsible for 65% of the City’s emissions. Targeted energy
improvements will be critical to enhance operational sustainability and emission reductions.
Participation also supports the implementation of key focus areas identified in the 2024-2029
CEMP, including analytics and carbon tracking, and the development of a Carbon Reduction
Plan.
c. Demonstrated Leadership and Community Engagement
By joining the DGBC, Pickering can help set a positive example for local businesses,
institutions, and residents. Participation complements broader efforts to expand energy
benchmarking across commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors, with the aim to
contribute to community-wide emissions reductions.
4.2 Requirements for Participation
Program participants must execute the attached Terms and Conditions Enrollment form. The
form was reviewed by a Solicitor from Corporate Services. All program participants must also
have an active ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account. Participants agree to share their
annual energy and water consumption data through the platform by August 1st of each year.
Since the City uses ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to meet its requirements for the Ontario
Energy and Water Reporting regulation, with a standard annual reporting deadline of July 1st,
this obligation would require minimal extra staff time.
Through recommendations set out in this report, staff are seeking authorization for the Mayor
and City Clerk to execute the Terms and Conditions Enrollment form.
Attachment:
1. Durham Greener Buildings Challenge Terms and Conditions Enrollment Form
Prepared By: Atish Pereira, PMP, CEM, MEnvSc, Coordinator, Community Energy
Management
Prepared By: Chantal Whitaker, BESc (Hons), CSR-P, Manager, Sustainability & Strategic
Environmental Initiatives
Approved/Endorsed By: Kyle Bentley, P. Eng., Director, City Development & CBO
Approved/Endorsed By: Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc., Director, Community Services
SUS 02-26 May 4, 2026
Page 4
AP:ld
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council By:
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment 1 to Report SUS 02-26
Durham Greener Buildings Program Terms and Conditions
To enroll in the Durham Greener Buildings program participants are asked to acknowledge the
following guidelines:
The participant (a building owner or his/her representative) confirms that they have the authority
to enroll their building(s) in the Durham Greener Building Program and to grant the rights for the
use and disclosure of approved energy performance and water data and building characteristics
including address as outlined in the program FAQs.
All Participants will have an active Energy Star Portfolio Manager Account. Participants agree to
share Portfolio Manager annual energy performance data by August 1st of each year of the
Durham Greener Buildings program.
Monthly building energy and water data will be entered into Portfolio Manager by the participant.
Monthly data allows for year-over-year building energy and water performance reporting on a
weather-normalized basis.
Only building and performance data approved by the participant through the Portfolio Manager
sharing request will be publicly disclosed. Building location and performance metrics will be
annually published on the Durham Greener Buildings website visualization.
If the Durham Greener Buildings Program modifies or replaces these Terms at any time, written
confirmation will be provided of any changes to the Participant within 30 business days.
The Participant agrees that the Regional Municipality of Durham or its agent, Windfall Ecology
Centre, shall not be responsible or liable, directly, or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused
or alleged to be caused by their enrollment in the Durham Greener Buildings Program.
Participants will be requested to acknowledge that they have reviewed the terms and
conditions by signing a form that they will receive as part of the enrollment process
to Durham Greener Buildings.
s
Building Name:
Building Address:
EWRB ID (if applicable):
Owner Name:
Building Name:
Building Address:
EWRB ID (if applicable):
Owner Name:
Building Name:
Building Address:
EWRB ID (if applicable):
Owner Name:
Durham Greener Buildings Challenge Enrollment Form
Participant Information
Please complete all fields to join the DGB Challenge.
Full Name:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Organization Name:
Job Title:
Address:
Postal Code:
Building Information
Please provide detailed information about the building(s) you manage or own that you would like to
enroll in the Durham Greener Buildings Challenge.
Relationship to Building(s): Owner Property Manager Tenant
List of Buildings Managed/Owned
Please complete the following section.
List of Buildings:
1. Building Name:
a. Building Address:
b. EWRB ID (if applicable):
c. Owner Name:
2. Building Name:
a. Building Address:
b. EWRB ID (if applicable):
c. Owner Name:
3. Building Name:
a. Building Address:
b. EWRB ID (if applicable):
c.Owner Name:
4.Building Name:
a.Building Address:
b.EWRB ID (if applicable):
c.Owner Name:
5.Building Name:
a.Building Address:
b.EWRB ID (if applicable):
c.Owner Name:
6.Building Name:
a.Building Address:
b.EWRB ID (if applicable):
c.Owner Name:
Terms and Conditions
By submitting this form, you agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this document
and those detailed on our website. For a complete list of terms, please review them at Durham
Greener Buildings Challenge Terms and Conditions.
Signature:
Date: