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Welcome to The Atmospheric. In this issue we share information about weekend traffic, insurance for building retrofits, and the latest from our ClimateSpark Challenge.

Off peak transportation a major source of emissions

Everybody hates rush hour and the near endless traffic jams that are so common in Toronto. But now even driving on a Sunday can be an invitation to get trapped in our world-leading traffic congestion. At TAF, we are focusing on reducing transportation related emissions, so we funded the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil Engineering to take a closer look at this issue. They found that weekend travel accounts for 25% of personal transportation emissions in Toronto. It’s one of those overlooked “wedges” in the emissions profile of our city that requires more research and attention.

TAF provided the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil Engineering with a $10,000 grant to study off-peak transportation emissions.

The cabs on big transport trucks can look like mini motel rooms, with bunks, microwaves, bar fridges and TVs. While it’s great for drivers to be able to catch a few winks while on the road, keeping the cab warm or cool and running those devices takes power. GTA-based Enermotion has developed technology that captures and stores waste heat energy from the truck’s engine to serve these needs. The result is an estimated 9% savings in fuel use and a 12-18 month payback . Enermotion is now working with transport company J.D. Smith to road test its units in advance of wider commercial deployment.

TAF has provided Enermotion with purchase order financing, which will give the company the capital it needs to meet customer orders when they start rolling in.

Toronto’s parks are a defining part of the City: from deep ravines and broad river valleys to that little patch of green around the corner from your condo, these green spaces help us all breathe a little easier. In 2010, City Council drafted a parks plan with seven guiding principles . Now, Toronto Parks is asking residents what they value about parks and how they should be managed. You can participate in a public consultation session and/or fill out an online survey at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/engagement/parksplan/index.htm

We asked for ideas for social ventures that could help Toronto’s climate and communities and we got them: 61 to be precise. The ClimateSpark Social Venture Challenge’s first round was a blazing success with close to 1,400 community members and thousands of site visitors giving our contestants the once over (and then some). The contestants responded superbly, answering streams of questions, explaining concepts and commenting on each other’s idea. We have just launched Round 2 of the online phase of the Challenge with 20 finalists competing for a chance to attend the ClimateSpark Accelerate venture development bootcamp and to pitch our funder panel on their idea. Check out all the action at www.climatespark.ca.

From our work with residential high rises through the TowerWise program, TAF identified the need for an insurance product that would give building owners and lenders peace of mind when it comes to energy retrofits . That's why TAF worked with Jones Brown Insurance Brokers and Energi of Canada Ltd to bring energy retrofit insurance to Canada to cover any difference between projected and actual energy savings (up to 95% of projected). This means building owners can count on savings and lenders know that owners will have the funds to cover loan repayment. We explain more on our blog, including how this product is a great match with TAF's Energy Savings Purchase Agreements.

The City of London may be a few hundred years older than Toronto, but both cities have come to a similar conclusion: If you want to reduce energy use and emissions, you have to do something about old – and not so old – buildings. That “something” in London’s case includes some familiar tools: financial guarantees for energy retrofits, a standardized retrofit program for public buildings, and incentives for homeowners. London Mayor Boris Johnson also sees this as a “green growth” opportunity and an answer to London’s shockingly high youth unemployment levels. The Mayor has set a goal of achieving “unprecedented levels” of building energy retrofit activity in his city. http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/%E2%80%98retrofit-save-billions-and-get-young-londoners-work-mayor-tells-london

More about TAF investments

For information on our grants and financing program, please see our website at www.toronto.ca/taf

To discuss possible grant proposals, please contact Ben Marans at (416) 393-6367 or bmarans@tafund.org

To discuss possible financing opportunities, please contact Tim Stoate at (416) 393-6368 or tstoate@tafund.org