Advancing Health Equity Through Building Emissions Performance Standards in Toronto

The document examines the intersection of climate change, housing quality, and health in Toronto, proposing that an equity-focused Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) policy can mitigate health risks for marginalized communities. It highlights how retrofits—such as switching from gas to electric heating and stoves, improving insulation, and adding mechanical ventilation—can reduce asthma risks, protect against extreme temperature events, and lower outdoor air pollution. The brief warns against the risks of tenant displacement and 'renovictions' and recommends strong tenant protections, the creation of Community Accountability Boards, and the integration of health metrics into BEPS monitoring to ensure benefits are shared equitably.

• Buildings are a primary source of emissions in Toronto, accounting for approximately 55% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. The city's target is to reduce emissions from existing buildings by half from 2008 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2040.
• Poor housing quality exacerbates climate-related health risks for vulnerable populations in Toronto. Extreme heat is estimated to cause an average of 120 premature deaths annually in the city, mostly indoors, with high risk for those in aging buildings without cooling. Additionally, low-income communities in poorly maintained buildings are more susceptible to respiratory harms and mental stress from flood events, such as the July 2024 flood.
• Switching from gas to electric appliances can significantly improve indoor air quality and pediatric health. A 2023 study indicated that children under six in Toronto living in homes with gas stoves have nearly twice the risk of developing asthma compared to those in homes with electric stoves.
• Energy efficiency retrofits and mechanical ventilation provide critical protections against extreme weather and air pollution. High-quality insulation and HVAC systems reduce heat-related hospitalizations, while mechanical ventilation can decrease allergy and asthma symptoms by up to 25% and filter out fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke.
• BEPS implementation offers substantial economic and employment opportunities, with an estimate that it will create over 7,000 full-time jobs in Toronto. Furthermore, reducing heat-related deaths through shading technologies could provide a net benefit of over $1.3 billion when accounting for energy savings and avoided premature deaths.
• There is a significant risk that building retrofit requirements could lead to tenant displacement or increased costs for renters. In Toronto, 46.8% of renter households already spend more than 30% of their income on housing, making them vulnerable to 'renovictions' or rent increases passed on by owners.
• To ensure equitable outcomes, the brief recommends that the City of Toronto establish strong tenant protections, create Community Accountability Boards (CABs) that prioritize health, and incorporate health cost-savings into cost-benefit analyses.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (2025). Advancing Health Equity Through Building Emissions Performance Standards in Toronto. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CAPE-Policy-Brief-Advancing-Health-Equity-Through-BEPs-in-Toronto.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Advancing Health Equity Through Building Emissions Performance Standards in Toronto. 2025. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CAPE-Policy-Brief-Advancing-Health-Equity-Through-BEPs-in-Toronto.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Advancing Health Equity Through Building Emissions Performance Standards in Toronto |date=August 2025 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CAPE-Policy-Brief-Advancing-Health-Equity-Through-BEPs-in-Toronto.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironment2025advancing, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Advancing Health Equity Through Building Emissions Performance Standards in Toronto}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CAPE-Policy-Brief-Advancing-Health-Equity-Through-BEPs-in-Toronto.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }