Friday 4 June 2021
Toyota Canada facility achieves zero carbon building certification
The Toyota Canada Eastern Canada Parts Distribution Centre (ECPDC) has been awarded a zero carbon building certification, making it one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings of its kind in the country.
The facility with more than 44,000 square metres of warehouse and office space in Clarington, Ontario, has achieved the Zero Carbon Building – Design™ certification, granted by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).
Some of the building's sustainability features include geothermal heating to reduce its reliance on emission-producing fuels, a 965MW rooftop solar array and self-dimming glass to control glare and help reduce the need for cooling.
It also includes a 25,000-litre cistern to supply the facility's low flow toilets and urinals with rain or snow collected from its roof, saving more than 325,000 litres of water per year as well as natural, drought-resistant plants and multi-use outdoor trails for the community, which is said to ultimately limit the facility's overall environmental impact.
Tony Kelly, Vice President of Customer Services at Toyota Canada said: “From the very beginning, our new ECPDC was designed with environmental sustainability in mind.
“Zero Carbon Building certification is an acknowledgement of our efforts to go above and beyond - not only to meet our own sustainability targets but to limit our carbon footprint for future generations.”
According to CaGBC, a zero carbon building is highly energy efficient and either produces onsite or procures carbon-free renewable energy in an amount sufficient to offset the annual carbon emissions association with operations.
Thomas Mueller, President & CEO, CaGBC added: “In this critical decade of climate action, corporate leadership is essential.
“By designing and building their new parts distribution centre to meet targets inspired by Toyota's Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota Canada has gone above and beyond, setting a high standard for other corporate leaders to ensure we are transitioning to a low carbon future in everything we do.”
