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Professional Services companies in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone are capitalizing on opportunities to become green leaders through innovation in sustainable corporate strategy, building and resource management, and active employee and community engagement.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREENING
Climate Change Mitigation: Reduce your carbon footprint by adopting a greenhouse gas reduction strategy and by off-setting remaining emissions. Learn More: See Oxford Properties under “Climate Change Mitigation"
Employee Engagement: Leverage educational and outreach approaches to build a culture of sustainability and unlock the potential of your employees to advance your green agenda at an operational level. Learn More: See Molson under “Employee Engagement”
Green Building: Explore design and retrofit practices that significantly reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment, while trimming costs and improving occupant comfort and safety. Learn More: See Polaris Realty under “Green Building”
Energy Efficiency: Reduce your energy consumption through the implementation of an energy management program and through building automation and retrofits. Learn More: See Unilever under “Energy Efficiency”
Community Engagement: Engage your customers and generate social capital by building partnerships with stakeholders to advance sustainability in your community. Learn More: See Bayer Inc. under “Community Engagement”
SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS
“Sustainability intelligence at Oxford Properties”
Oxford is committed to being an industry leader in sustainability, integrating the guiding principles from its sustainability program, “Sustainability Intelligence,” into its day-to-day activities and pursuit of a healthier bottom line. Oxford has a target to reduce GHG emissions from properties directly owned and managed, on a per square foot basis, by 20 per cent by the year 2012 from the base year of 2005.
Approach Highlights
- Initiated a process of calculating its corporate
greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.
- Evaluated different opportunities for reducing its GHG emissions.
- Worked with the Pembina Institute and ICF International to benchmark against corporate commitments being made by other large companies.
- Tracked and reported on success using its Sustainable Intelligence Scorecard.
Results
- GHG emissions reduction (2005/2008): 10.9 per cent
- GHG emissions reduction (2007/2008): 3.8 per cent
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“LoyaltyOne™ builds a solar showcase”
As part of its environmental commitment, LoyaltyOne™ has established a mandate to lease space only in buildings that are either LEED silver-certified or that meet similar environmental standards.
Approach Highlights
- Committed $2 million to install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof.
- Esablished a waste management program.
- Installed solar tube skylights to augment energy efficient lighting.
- Used recycled content and low-emission materials in construction and interior finishes.
- Assigned preferential parking spaces to staff who
drive fuel efficient, low-emission vehicles.
Results
- Generating 165 kilowatts of solar, making it the largest rooftop installation in Ontario at the time of completion.
- Projecting a 10 year payback on the solar installation.
- Building should achieve Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) core and shell silver standards, while the interior will qualify for LEED gold.
- 15 per cent of call-centre staff participating in a work-from-home program.
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Download the Professional Services Sector highlights.
BUSINESS DRIVERS
► Values-driven employees are increasingly putting pressure on their employers to adopt green policies and practices.
► Energy costs for building operations like heating, cooling, and lighting are projected to rise over the long term.
► Customers are placing growing expectations on companies to improve on service, innovation and social responsibility.
► Emerging fields in such areas as environmental auditing, carbon accounting and carbon trading have created new markets for innovative professional service firms.
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