Planetary Designation

Windmill Development earns Global Leader distinction

Toronto’s Windmill Development Group has become the first company to earn a Global Leader endorsement under the One Planet Living (OPL) framework. The distinction was assigned by Bioregional, a sustainability consultancy that developed the global sustainability framework with the World Wildlife Fund two decades ago.

“A Global Leader shows potential for far-reaching systemic change and is taking steps to actively inspire others in their industry to follow suit,” noted Bioregional CEO and co-founder Sue Riddlestone. “Windmill has embedded One Planet Living into its culture more deeply than any other company, and they are encouraging their partners and the wider industry to follow suit.”

“One Planet Living goes beyond the built form. It aims to transform the way we live,” added Windmill Development Group President Jeremy Reeds. “We believe in this framework because it puts people at the centre. It helped us look holistically at Windmill’s business to ensure our sustainability practices positively impact residents’ health and happiness in tandem with the environment.”

OPL comprises 10 principles, including health and happiness, equity and local economy, culture and community, land and nature, sustainable water, local and sustainable food, travel and transport, zero waste, and zero-carbon energy. It’s designed to ensure sustainability measures consider local regulations and economic realities rather than a one-size-fits-all model. The goal is to create residential and mixed-use projects where residents can live healthy and happy lives while minimizing environmental impact.

There are two leadership distinctions: Leader and Global Leader. A Global Leader adheres to all 10 principles and beyond by raising the bar for what’s possible for sustainable placemaking.

Since the framework first evolved out of large-scale, mixed-use communities in the UK, Bioregional’s leadership endorsements have typically been bestowed upon specific projects. For this rare corporate designation, Bioregional reviewed Windmill and its advisory arm, Urban Equation, which bring the technical realities of One Planet Living to life on Windmill projects.

To be considered, a company must submit an action plan to Bioregional, which reviews the scope for addressing sustainability, the plan’s overall ambition, how it’s being implemented, whether it’s working, and its potential to inspire change. To receive a Global Leader distinction, Bioregional must

have a high level of confidence that the action plan can be achieved.

One key element of Windmill’s action plan was its One Planet Living Fund, a partnership with Epic Investment Services. The fund is currently invested in 10 mixed-use OPL communities across Ontario.

“One Planet Living is embedded in every aspect of Windmill’s business, from our corporate strategy and staff culture to our development projects and communities,” said Windmill CEO Jonathan Westeinde. “We’ve been delivering impact in development for 20 years.”

Key initiatives that resulted in the Global Leader endorsement included: the creation of a working group that offers post-occupancy support for residents, including an eco-concierge service and waste reduction plan; targeting 10% affordable homes across its portfolio, a goal that is irrespective of government subsidies; ensuring 100% of new projects are zero carbon, combustion-free and have operational carbon verified through LEED or Zero Carbon Building Standards review; and requiring all projects under the fund to target a LEED Platinum standard, consistent with Windmill’s projects to date, among a myriad of other accomplishments.

Windmill also created Canada’s first OPL-endorsed masterplan community at Zibi in Ottawa.