Timothy Wilson’s Post

Thanks for this post and important work Betsy Agar and Pembina Institute In rental buildings, deep retrofits are paid for by the building owner, but energy savings and improved comfort accrue residents, splitting the incentives. Building owners are less motivated to undertake costly projects. And residents are concerned about rent hikes and renovictions. Look forward to great solutions to split incentives. #deepenergyretrofits #ghgemissions #sustainableopportunity #buildingemissions #splitincentives

The Rise of Green Homes: A Sustainable Future for the UK Property Market In recent years, the UK property market has witnessed a notable shift toward sustainability, as environmental concerns and rising energy costs have pushed 'green homes' to the forefront of buyer preferences and developer strategies. This movement is not just a fleeting trend but a substantial change in how we approach living spaces and building standards. Why Green Homes? The urgency of climate change and the increasing awareness of our environmental impact have led many consumers to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability in their housing choices. This shift is partly driven by the rising costs of traditional energy sources and the potential long-term savings offered by eco-friendly homes. Also, government initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints have accelerated the adoption of sustainable practices in the housing sector. Government Incentives and Regulations The UK government has introduced several incentives to promote energy-efficient homes. From subsidies for solar panels to grants for insulation, these initiatives make it economically viable for homeowners to invest in green technology. Additionally, the introduction of stricter building regulations that mandate higher energy efficiency standards ensures that new developments are part of the solution to our current environmental challenges. The Market Response Developers and builders are increasingly integrating sustainable technologies such as heat pumps, advanced insulation materials, and smart home systems that manage energy consumption efficiently. The market has seen a rise in properties boasting high Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, which are becoming a significant factor in purchase decisions. The Benefits of Investing in Green Homes Investing in green homes isn't just a moral or environmental decision; it's a financially prudent one as well. Properties with better energy efficiency tend to have higher resale values and attract buyers more quickly in the competitive market. Additionally, they offer homeowners lower utility bills, which can be a significant selling point. Challenges Ahead Despite these positives, challenges remain. The initial cost of integrating or retrofitting green technologies can be high, and there's a need for more skilled professionals in green construction. This will inevitably slow progress down until the costs reduce. This may also see a departure for many landlords who are already feeling the pinch with rising costs in other areas. #GreenHomesUK #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendlyHomes #UKPropertyTrends #ClimateSmartHomes #EcoInvestments #BuildingGreen #SustainableUKProperties

🏡 Canada’s Housing Crisis: Why We Can't Afford to Build Without Sustainability As Canada faces a housing shortage, with an estimated 3.5 million homes needed by 2030, building homes without green standards is not an option. According to his article in Sustainable Biz Canada, housing constructed using current methods could increase GHG emissions by 18 million tonnes annually. Some key takeaways: - Energy Efficiency: Green standards lower future heating/cooling costs. - Training & Tech: Builders must adopt new skills and materials for low-carbon homes. - Long-term Value: Sustainable buildings offer resilience, especially for lower-income Canadians. - By committing to sustainable housing now, we avoid costly future retrofits, mitigate climate risks, and provide affordable, energy-efficient homes for future generations. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gb2Gzcax

Advancing housing supply to achieve affordability is a monumental challenge that requires high-quality, low-carbon buildings. The CAGBC | Canada Green Building Council’s President and CEO, Thomas Mueller, argues there are potential pitfalls if the sector doesn’t prioritize highly efficient, zero-carbon performance buildings now. #energy #realestate #housing #carbon #construction #greenbuildings

The Economic Benefits of Green Real Estate Projects Green real estate projects offer a range of economic benefits that make them attractive investments for developers and homebuyers. By incorporating sustainable design principles and eco-friendly features, these projects contribute to environmental conservation and provide financial advantages. Reduced Operating Costs One of the primary economic benefits of green real estate is the reduction in operating costs. Increased Property Values Homes in green communities tend to command higher property values than traditional real estate developments. Tax Incentives and Government Subsidies These financial benefits can offset the initial higher costs associated with green building practices, making the investment more financially viable for developers and homebuyers. Improved Occupant Productivity Studies have shown that green buildings can enhance occupant productivity and well-being. Long-Term Cost Savings Reduced maintenance requirements, lower insurance premiums, and the potential for higher resale values all contribute to the overall financial benefits of investing in a sustainable community. In conclusion, the economic benefits of green real estate projects are multifaceted, ranging from reduced operating costs and increased property values to tax incentives and improved occupant productivity. #realestatedevelopment #sustainableliving

Huge potential

This Finance & Commerce piece showcases what climate-resilient housing and real estate investments look like: Footprint Development's Solstice Northeast (www.SolsticeMPLS.com). Buildings account for ~40% of GHG emissions annually...changing what, how and where we build has to be a part of our response to the climate crisis...but it can also deliver superior climate-risk adjusted returns for long-term investors. At Footprint Development, we build ultra-quiet, healthy, low-carbon housing in climate-resilient communities that perform for residents & investors today...and in our rapidly changing climate future. That future is already here...and is one where renters increasingly seek refuge from rising/volatile utility costs, more frequent air-quality alerts, and the thin-walled, drafty apartments typical in most new apartment buildings. I'm all in on #passivehouse

Billions of dollars from governments and investors will flow into purpose-built rental construction over the next decade. We have to get it right for Canadians who need energy-efficient, low carbon and resilient housing with low cost of ownership. Watch for the release of CAGBC's white paper next month on this important issue. #CAGBC #greenbuilding #greenhomes #zerocarbon

If you know anyone who works at Windmill Development Group, you’ve probably heard about the “One Planet Living framework.” Its 10 principles look beyond the sticks and bricks of a building; they aim to create equity, promote healthy lifestyles and go beyond simply providing a condo for you to live in.  We are focused on finding ways that people can live sustainably and within the planet’s means – while also saving money. In our view, there’s a distinct lack of affordable, environmentally sustainable and transit-connected housing in the GTA. And one of the things the One Planet Living framework does is encourage developers to build in environmentally sustainable ways to lower the occupancy costs for the homeowner.   As I wrote last week, we need to consider all the costs of living in a home when we talk about “affordable housing.” Our 2444 Eglinton project with Civic Developments is a prime example of how sustainable features can make housing more affordable by reducing ongoing living expenses, not just rent.   Two-thirds of the homes in this development will be co-op housing, ensuring long-term affordability in terms of the housing costs. By using the One Planet Living framework as a guide, we are reducing future residents’ costs through 100% geothermal energy. 2444 Eglinton will also exceed the Toronto Green Standard for the exterior façade and energy modelling, further reducing energy costs.   The location near Kennedy Station is integral to this project. It’s one of the most-connected transit sites in Toronto — close to Kennedy GO Station, Kennedy TTC subway station and the future Crosstown LRT line. You could build the highest quality, most energy-efficient home in the middle of nowhere, but if the commute takes 90 minutes and you are paying for parking downtown, chances are the money you’re saving is close to nil.   One of the OPL principles is “reducing the need to travel, encouraging walking, cycling and low-carbon transport.” If we truly want to save people money, building housing close to transit will do that. When you sit in traffic for hours, it’s not just costing you time, it’s costing you money.   #OnePlanetLiving #SustainableDevelopment #AffordableHousing #SocialResponsibility

An outstanding sustainability program run by the City of Sydney and it's great that NABERS is part of it! Some achievement of the program since it started in 2016 (stats from the 2022/23 report): ⏩ 270 apartment buildings part of the program ⏩ Owner corporations invested $4.6 million in sustainability upgrades ⏩ Average 30% reduction in energy usage ⏩ 54,048t CO2 avoided #sustainability #apartmentbuildings #energyefficiency #waterefficiency