Partnering with BOMA BC

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Working together to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, BC Hydro and the Building Owners and Managers Association of B.C. (BOMA BC) are working collaboratively to increase the level of energy conservation initiatives and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in commercial buildings across the province. The Commercial Building Energy Conservation and GHG Reduction MOU (ECMOU) acts as a framework and sets principles for developing more energy efficient and sustainable commercial buildings in British Columbia.

The commercial building sector has the potential to substantially reduce pressure on the province's energy supply and to cut GHG emission levels province-wide. There are approximately 17,000 commercial buildings in British Columbia that account for over five per cent of the province's total annual GHG emissions and consume an estimated 4,104 GWh of electricity per year. The ECMOU will support BOMA BC in driving members and non-members to make commercial buildings more sustainable and reduce GHG emissions.

"By taking a strong leadership role in reducing the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the commercial building industry, BOMA BC is helping create new standards of excellence for building owners, property managers and tenants." said Timothy Mosley, Sr. Program Manager, BC Hydro Power Smart.

The agreement outlines a six-year plan, which focuses on developing a simple process for building owners and managers to access funding from the federal government, Power Smart and other utilities, along with creating a tracking tool that allows commercial buildings to measure energy savings and the reduction of GHG emissions. The plan also outlines educational initiatives to raise conservation awareness amongst building operators and tenants and calls for BC Hydro and government support of demonstration projects that reward tenants for achieving best practices in energy efficiency, alternative energy use and emission reductions.

As a first step, BC Hydro is funding an Energy Manager for BOMA BC to help building operators identify and implement conservation solutions. The Energy Manager will be instrumental in leading the coordinated planning and implementation of the ECMOU across the commercial building sector. BC Hydro will also allocate additional resources for expanded training and tenant engagement opportunities.

Benefits for commercial buildings

The commercial building industry will benefit from this agreement, as the ECMOU will:

• Establish B.C.'s commercial building sector as a green leader in carbon reduction and energy conservation;
• Support new jobs and economic growth in B.C. through the stimulation of the green economy;
• Lower operating costs and utility costs for owners and tenants; making energy efficiency improvements financially attractive for both parties;
• Reduce the carbon footprint of buildings across the province;
• Establish a building benchmarking tool that will help enable property managers and owners to identify opportunities for energy conservation;
• Create a mechanism for the sector to track and assist in the future regulation of carbon emissions from commercial buildings; and
• Support better, more comfortable and efficient workplace environments for tenants.

To learn more or to contact the BOMA Energy Manager, visit BOMA BC.