Guelph head office will
embody the future of sustainable, climate-conscious building design
in Canada
GUELPH,
ON, Jan. 17, 2023 /CNW/ - With construction
well-underway, Co-operators new head office in Guelph, ON has earned Zero Carbon Building –
Design Standard certification from the Canada Green Building
Council (CAGBC).
When it opens in the summer of 2024, the 226,000 sq. ft facility
at 101 Cooper Drive in Guelph will
feature an all-electric design that will eliminate direct carbon
emissions from any onsite source, meaning no retrofits or
decarbonization plan will be required as the organization
progresses toward its net zero targets. The building will be highly
energy-efficient and minimize indirect annual carbon emissions from
electricity, offsetting any remaining emissions through
high-quality carbon offsets or carbon-free renewable
energy.i In addition, 'embodied carbon' emissions
resulting from construction, manufacturing, transportation and
disposal of all building materials are also meaningfully reduced or
offset.
According to the Canada Green Building Council, the building
sector is Canada's third-largest
emitter. Today, residential, commercial, and institutional
buildings contribute 17% of Canada's greenhouse gas (CGC) emissions and
once building materials and construction are included, this level
approaches 30%.
"Achieving the Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard
certification for our national headquarters is a strong reflection
of our values and vision to catalyze sustainability in our
society," said Shawn Fitzgerald,
vice-president workplace services at Co-operators. "This building
is a compelling demonstration of imagination and innovation that
will be required as we build for a more sustainable future in
Canada. We have an important role
to play in mitigating the risks of climate change in a direct and
meaningful way, helping move Canada and the world towards a net zero
emissions future."
"With this certification, Co-operators joins a growing list of
forward-thinking organizations investing in the future through zero
carbon buildings," said Thomas
Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building
Council. "Our made-in-Canada and
globally recognized Zero Carbon Building standards provide tangible
ways for organizations like Co-operators to realize their
sustainability targets. Paired with LEED and WELL, the Co-operators
headquarters promises to be a marquee green building offering
enduring value and resiliency for the company and a healthy and
productive place to work for employees."
Features of Co-operators new building include:
- 40% greater energy and greenhouse gas savings beyond the
Ontario Building Code's all-electric baseline
- 60% heating load reduction beyond the code-minimum for new
office builds
- 282 kW rooftop solar array will generate approximately 9% of
the total annual building energy consumption
- Automatic tinting windows will eliminate glare and reduce
energy consumption
- Highly insulated and airtight building will conserve
energy
- High-efficiency water source technology will recover and
redistribute heat throughout the building
- LED lighting equipped with occupancy and daylight harvesting
sensors only turn on when needed.
In addition to Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard
certification, the building is also targeting LEED Gold and WELL
Platinum certifications.
Co-operators journey to net
zero
Co-operators first became carbon neutral in 2020 and in 2021
announced its commitment to reaching net zero emissions in its
operations by 2040. To measurably demonstrate progress towards this
goal, the organization set an interim target to reduce its direct
and indirect emissions resulting from corporate and financial
advisor offices, business travel, fleet vehicles, use of IT assets
and services, and employee commuting and working from home. By
2030, gross operational emissions will be reduced by 45 per cent.
To reach net zero targets, all emissions must be fully eliminated
or drastically reduced, with any residual emissions neutralized by
2040.
About Co-operators
Co-operators is a leading Canadian financial services
co-operative, offering multi-line insurance and investment
products, services, and personalized advice to help Canadians build
their financial strength and security. The company has more than
$64.6 billion in assets under
administration. Co-operators has been providing trusted guidance to
Canadians for the past 76 years. The organization is well known for
its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability.
Achieving carbon neutral equivalency in 2020, the organization is
committed to net-zero emissions in its operations and investments
by 2040, and 2050, respectively. Co-operators is also ranked as a
Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizen in Canada. For more information, please visit:
www.cooperators.ca.
_________________________
|
|
i https://www.cagbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CAGBC_Zero_Carbon_Building-Design_Standard_v3.pdf
|
|
SOURCE The Co-operators Group Limited