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Environmental
Environmental
Sustainability Policy
Killam Apartment REIT (“Killam”) is one of Canada’s largest residential landlords. We own, operate, and develop apartments and manufactured home communities, and we take the responsibilities of corporate citizenship seriously. Our core values of “Build Community” and “Do the Right Thing” guide our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs and initiatives. We believe sustainability practices adds value for all our stakeholders and continuously look for opportunities to improve. We strive to be a leader in ESG practices within the Canadian Real Estate sector.
Our Commitment
- Invest in new technology and initiatives to increase sustainability and lower our carbon footprint across the portfolio with a focus on reducing waste, energy and water usage.
- Support and invest in our employees through training, development opportunities and provide access to a safe and positive workplace.
- Provide outstanding customer service and a sense of community at our properties.
- Support community initiatives in the communities in which we operate, with an emphasis on affordable housing.
- Establish and implement robust governance policies and practices.
- Report annually on our ESG programs, new initiatives and performance against targets.
- Review our annual ESG benchmark ratings (from various industry bodies) and target areas for improvement each year
This policy applies to all Killam employees. It is recommended by the Governance & ESG Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees’.
Environmental
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Progressing with our 5-year $25 million energy-efficiency program to reduce GHG emissions that we initiated in 2016.
Engaged an independent party to review our GHG emissions data for 2018 and 2019, reporting on scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Alignment with SDG #7
– Affordable and Clean Energy
Environmental
Energy-Efficiencies
$5 million invested
annually to energy efficiency projects.
600M liters of water saved
through the installation of low flow water fixtures throughout the portfolio.
1.1 Gigawatts saved
investment in solar projects in 2020 producing an estimated annual 1.1 gigawatts of power.
That’s enough energy to offset 5 million kilomters driven by an average passenger vehicle!
Recycling
composting and waste management programs are available at the majority of our properties to reduce wastes.
5+M Kilowatt hours saved
due to LED lighting installed in all buildings.
Environmental
Acquisitions and Renovations
During acquisitions we analyze and consider assets’ features and ability to be sustainable and the long-term value of our unitholders. In 2019, Killam purchased 22,260 square meters of carbon neutral flooring, resulting in the retirement of 230 tCO2 (equivalent to 901,575 km of car travel).
Apartment renovations and upgrades to improve unit performance and comfort by installing the following:
Environmental
Developments
More than $280 million in new developments designed and built using strategies aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency, the stewardship of resources and a sensitivity to their environmental impact.
Current developments include either geothermal heating and cooling systems or photo-voltaic heating systems and submetered water.
7 properties with on-site electrical car charging stations.
Environmental
Featured Properties
Frontier
- First of a four-phase, 840-unit development
- Geothermal heating and cooling
- Optimal window glazing and insulation saving energy consumption
- Water and hydro are separately metered to each unit, typically resulting in a reduction of water consumption by 25%
- Expectation to save over 100 tons of carbon emissions annually
Saginaw Park
- Water consumption shifted to residents resulted in 25% reduction in water consumption over a 12-month period
Creative Green Solutions
Several properties are being over-seeded with white clover, an alternative to traditional grass with many aesthetically and environmental benefits including less frequent mowing, less maintenance and provide pollen for beneficial insects.
Environmental