We are now at the 2020 finish line of the Building Energy Challenge. Despite the conditions created by the pandemic, your participation so far has been remarkable, and we now have almost the same number of participants sharing their 2020 energy data as we did for 2019. And new participants have signed on despite the tumult!
This is striking proof of the real estate sector’s commitment to responding to climate change, with everyone contributing at their own speed and according to their own possibilities. Apart from the data and energy performance to be evaluated over the next two months, the BEC already recognizes the extraordinary resilience you demonstrated in 2020.
Some of you have found entering the data into ESPM to be a difficult task. There is a tendency to wait until the last minute, which can sometimes complicate things. We presented five webinars in as many weeks to guide you in carrying out this task. We sincerely hope that they proved to be helpful.
Please take encouragement from the fact that your data entry makes a positive contribution. Take note that the Transition Énergétique Québec (TEQ) master plan includes a project for mandatory disclosure of building energy data, a huge task that is currently well underway. In light of the GHG reduction targets established by government authorities, this project will be impossible to ignore. One can even be optimistic, and assume that this could lead to an automated transfer of energy data from the province’s two major energy suppliers, Hydro-Québec and Energir, directly to the Energy Star portfolio manager.
In a similar vein, on December 12 Jean-Thomas Léveillé (La Presse) published an article about the City of Montreal’s 2020-30 climate plan. In addition to the 46 objectives set out in the plan, the disclosure of building energy data is clearly identified among the actions to be taken.
The important thing to remember is that beyond certifications and voluntary programs such as BEC that require sharing of energy results, the trend is here to stay. Mastering energy data is an integral part of the iSO 50001 approach… so, a word to the wise.
Kudos to all participants who crossed the 2020 finish line by entering their data. We are eager to start compiling the data. Whether you win an award or not, rest assured that the BEC is committed to giving you your personalized results over the coming months.
The next BEC awards night will be a virtual event that is part of the BOMA Quebec Gala on May 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.!
You are hereby invited to a unique rendezvous that is free of charge THE BOMA QUEBEC GRAND GALA – to celebrate excellence in property management and to pay tribute to real estate industry leaders taking part in the Building Energy Challenge and the BOMA Awards Competition.
Come to discover the Year 3 champions of the Building Energy Challenge, to praise the efforts of those who achieved BOMA BEST certification and to celebrate the winners of the 2021-22 BOMA Awards.
An extraordinary virtual gala hosted by Isabelle Racicot. A rendezvous not to be missed!
Encourage your colleagues! More than ever, the time has come to mobilize and recognize each other’s leadership. For more details, consult the BOMA Quebec website (boma-quebec.org).
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Mario Poirier
Program Director
