1090 Homer Street Achieves Net Zero Carbon Certification

1090 Homer Street, a heritage office building located in the vibrant community of Yaletown, Vancouver has become the first building in GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA)’s portfolio to achieve the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)’s Zero Carbon Building Performance certification.

Committed to the sustainable management of the property, the team at 1090 Homer Street has been making thoughtful efforts over the years to minimize the building’s reliance on natural gas for heating and maintain low carbon systems.

To achieve CaGBC’s ZBC-Performance certification, the team created a zero-carbon transition plan that required them to offset the building’s annual operation emissions. Between the period of March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, 21 tonnes of C02e were offset, the equivalent to the carbon sequestered by planting 347 tree seedlings and letting them grow for 10 years.  

Zero Carbon Building – Performance Certification

The ZCB-Performance certification recognizes property managers who take responsibility for carbon emissions associated with their building operations. Each year, building performance is evaluated using utility and other data sources to ensure targets are met.

“A zero-carbon building is highly energy-efficient and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from building materials and operations. Until all emissions can be eliminated, high-quality carbon offsets can be used as a counterbalance.”

GWLRA’s Journey to Net Zero

In early 2022, GWLRA made a commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of the commitment, the company set interim targets that are aligned with a science-based approach.

In addition to designing new buildings that meet net zero building standards, GWLRA is actively pursuing retrofits to older buildings in their portfolio, including 1090 Homer Street which was built in 1910, to ensure targets are met.

A Leader in Sustainability

1090 Homer Street is the first building Yaletown to receive the ZCB-Performance certification and one of only 30 total to receive the designation. The City of Vancouver has made its own net zero by 2040 commitment and GWLRA is pleased to be ahead of the curve in achieving this certification.

Although 1090 Homer Street is the first of GWLRA’s buildings to achieve the ZCB-Performance certification, others are expected in the near-term as the company acts on their overall net zero targets.