Emissions Trading Consultants to Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TSA 9727, 9805)

We are the principal consultants to the City of Toronto and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund in the design and development of a greenhouse gas emissions trading system that will allow Toronto to market its emission reductions in the international carbon trading market. A pilot trade is being developed with a U.S. buyer for completion in 1998.
(CLIENT: City of Toronto and Toronto Atmospheric Fund, from December 1997)
 

Through our long association with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, we have developed software for local governments to use to plan and implement strategies for greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Windows-based, user-friendly software was released in Atlanta in September 1997 to U.S. cities in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Approximately 40 cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Tucson and Austin are using the software and another ten licences have been purchased. With the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are now several dozen licensed local government users in the U.S. and a second and improved version of the software is scheduled for release in March, 1998.
(CLIENT: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, from March 1997)

In 1998, TSA will continue to provide technical assistance on greenhouse gas emissions reduction to the U.S. CCP and to develop advancements to the CCP Greenhouse Gas Emissions Software which will show the benefits of greenhouse gas emissions reductions in reducing common air pollutants (CO, SO_2, NO_x, VO_x and particulates).
(CLIENT: U.S. CCP Berkeley, California, 1998)
 

Our software for strategic local action planning for greenhouse gas emission reductions has been selected by the Australian Local Government Association and the newly formed Australian Cities for Climate Protection Campaign to be the official software used in Australia’s ambitious local government response to climate change. Thirty cities in Australia have contracted for the software. A version of the comprehensive U.S. software for community and corporate analysis and measures quantification is being customized for use by the Australian cities and will be introduced at a series of training sessions in 1998.
(CLIENT: Australian Local Government Association, December 1997)
 

We have developed software to assist Canadian municipalities measure the greenhouse gas emissions from their in-house operations. It has been distributed to over 60 cities in Canada. This particular tool is being made available to Canadian municipalities in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' 20% Club through the support of Environment Canada, and it is part of a suite of software products developed by Torrie Smith Associates Inc. for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.
(CLIENT: Environment Canada, March 1997)
 

Building on the success of our acclaimed software for local government strategic planning for greenhouse gas emission reductions, we are developing a tool designed specifically to support private firms and institutions that seek to track their greenhouse gas emissions and plan their emission reduction efforts. Now in the final stages of testing, the tool is scheduled for release in early 1998.
 

TSA will provide technical assistance and software to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton to audit its greenhouse gas emissions and plan CO₂ reduction strategies.
(CLIENT: Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, 1998)
 

This project involved the development of a simple, Windows-based software game that allows the player to see how their personal greenhouse gas emissions profile compares with provincial and national averages in Canada. By answering a series of questions about energy use and lifestyle, the user gets immediate graphical feedback on their emissions. The tool will be released in mid-1998 and will be freely available on the World Wide Web.
(CLIENT: Sustainable Development Research Institute, David Suzuki Foundation - UBC, June 1997)

This forward looking study examines the prospects for a future Canadian society with greenhouse gas emissions 50% below current levels. Prepared as part of an invited paper series for the David Suzuki Foundation, it is scheduled for release in spring of 1998.
(CLIENT: David Suzuki Foundation, from May 1997)

This invited paper examines the energy and related environmental patterns in the cities of APEC, the prospects for an environmentally sustainable energy systems under the diverse developmental conditions that characterize APEC cities. With a particular focus on the links to economic and trade issues within APEC, this review examines the positive synergies between environmental and economic sustainability.
(CLIENT: National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, March 1997)
 

An invited briefing paper for Canada’s National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy examines the "state of the debate" on global warming in Canada, including both technical and political dimensions.
(Client: NRTEE, January 1997)

We have developed a model to quantify greenhouse gas emission reductions from cooling load reductions in Toronto. These models combine the time dependent dispatch of fossil generated electricity on Ontario Hydro’s grid with the time dependent pattern of energy reductions proposed by our client. Our approach shall provide a more accurate reading of emission reductions from electricity savings measures.
(Client: Toronto District Heating Corporation, December 1996)
 

We prepared a background paper on the subject title which was studied and reviewed at the World Conference of the International Council of Conservation Unions (IUCN) held in Montreal in October 1996 and later published by the National Round Table on Environment and the Economy.
(Client: National Round Table on Environment and the Economy - NRTEE, Business Strategies for Sustainable Development in the Canadian Energy Sector, October 1996)

This project involved the development of a Lower Fraser Valley greenhouse gas planning model to estimate greenhouse gas emissions under alternative growth assumptions and for alternative emission reduction initiatives. The software tracks costs and changes in emissions of common air contaminants and will create reports that summarize key statistics such as emissions, emission reductions and cost ($/tonne reduction) for each scenario and set of measures.
(Clients: Greater Vancouver Regional District and the City of Vancouver, August-December 1996)

National Action Plan on Climate Change - Review (TSA 9606)

Torrie Smith was a member of the consultant team that recently completed a review of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Of particular relevance to this proposal was Torrie Smith’s role in the NAPCC review of compiling the NRCan and Environment Canada energy and greenhouse gas databases, developing indicators for tracking Canadian greenhouse gas emissions, and identifying and tracking key trends.
(Client: Resource Futures International for the NAPCC Review Committee, Environment Canada/Natural Resources Canada, April-November 1996)

Development of a Prototype Software Reporting Tool to Track CO₂ Emissions for Businesses and Institutions in Ottawa’s Corporate Sector (TSA 9605)

We have developed a flexible Windows-based program for companies of different sizes to track CO₂ emissions generated from energy use in buildings, transportation, and operations and from waste generation. The software provides cost and energy data as well as CO₂ emissions. It can track individual measures to reduce CO₂ as well as examine potential measures so that the user can try out different CO₂ reduction scenarios. The software was alpha-tested by participants in the Corporate Challenge of the City of Ottawa and currently in use to track emissions of the Corporate Challenge participants.
(Client: City of Ottawa, March-June 1996)

Toronto Atmospheric Fund and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Software for the City of Toronto (TSA 9601)

Torrie Smith carried out the definitive analysis of the City of Toronto’s progress toward meetings its target greenhouse gas emissions. The project involved quantifying Toronto’s emissions and emission reductions over the 1990-1996 period. The analysis was embedded in a software tool that is being used by the city for ongoing monitoring and planning of their greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy. We also developed reporting guidelines to be used for monitoring the success of the initiatives of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund.
(Client: Toronto Atmospheric Fund, February 1996-present)

Urban Transportation and Air Quality (TSA 9307, 9241)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. has worked with the City of Toronto and a number of other North American cities in addressing the planning, infrastructure and technology issues surrounding the urban land use/transportation/air quality nexus. This involves the development of new tools for understanding the links between these issues and new strategies for addressing them.
(Client: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and City of Toronto, 1992-present)

We are the primary technical consultants to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives since 1990, a role which involves analyzing technical and policy measures for local government greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies in a number of projects, including the Urban CO₂ Reduction Project, the Ontario Municipal Energy Collaborative, the Green Fleets Project and the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.

  In the Urban CO₂ Reduction Project, in addition to advising the technical team members of the project's member cities (Toronto, Minneapolis, Portland, Denver, Miami, San Jose, Saarbrucken, Hannover, Bologna, Ankara, Copenhagen, Helsinki) on the methods and analytical and policy frameworks for developing CO₂ reduction strategies, the work has involved synthesizing the results of the project research effort, preparing and presenting papers for various project meetings in workshops, and providing advice to the cities in the development of their individual strategies and program designs.

For the Ontario Municipal Energy Collaborative, we provided comprehensive technical and research support for the initiation of this project in which a group of Ontario cities are collaborating to develop conservation and renewable energy strategies, including joint procurement of advanced technologies and innovative financing techniques.

In the Green Fleets Project, we are working with a selection of North American cities in identifying and assessing local government actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. This involves not only technical and traffic management measures, but also urban planning and land use strategies for reducing automobile dependence.

Torrie Smith continues to provide technical support to an ICLEI run service that resulted from the collaborative called the Ontario Municipal Energy Improvement Facility (OMEIF). Recently we completed an energy performance review of buildings belonging to the cities of Toronto and Hamilton for OMEIF.
(Client: ICLEI, 1991-present)

Ottawa Corporate Energy Strategy (TSA 9415)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. conducted a series of workshops for senior municipal managers in the City of Ottawa to broaden the in-house energy savings program to achieve a broader based program for urban energy management. This initiative is part of a fundamental reorientation of the city's planning principles in which sustainable urban development is the ultimate objective.
(Client: City of Ottawa, 1994)

Ottawa CO₂ Project (TSA 9414)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. prepared a prototype framework for a municipal greenhouse gas monitoring system for the City of Ottawa. Under the auspices of ICLEI, Torrie Smith Associates Inc. developed an emissions monitoring framework that tabulated greenhouse gas emissions. A quantitative analysis of the efficiency improvements and methane emissions reductions necessary to meet the 20% reduction target was developed. Other Canadian cities - Regina, Vancouver and Edmonton were included in the project in order to apply the framework to a national standardized greenhouse gas monitoring system for Canadian municipalities.
(Client: City of Ottawa and Environment Canada, 1994)

City of London Energy and Emissions Study (TSA 9412)

Energy and emissions data were disaggregated for buildings and vehicles and an individual building energy and vehicle energy and emissions database was constructed. In addition, the database included street lighting, water supply, sewage treatment and other significant usage's of energy. Strategies to reduce energy and emissions and a catalogue of possible measures was prepared.
(Client: SENES Consultants Ltd. for the City of London, Ontario, 1994)

Electricity and Industry in Ontario -- Review of Costs and Competitiveness (TSA 9408)

A thorough review of electricity costs to Ontario industry was conducted in a project that culminated in evidence presented before the Ontario Energy Board. The cost of electricity for key industries was compared against other key "industrial economy" statistics such as employment, shipments, value added and exports.
(Client: Green Energy Coalition for the Ontario Energy Board, 1994)
 

In developing Canada's National Climate Action Plan, Environment Canada has turned to Torrie Smith Associates Inc. for advice on the basic strategic approach and methods for measure identification and evaluation.
(Client: Environment Canada, 1994)

City of Chula Vista, California, Energy and Emissions Study (TSA 9401)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. provided technical and methodological input to a policy development exercise for the City of Chula Vista (adjacent to San Diego) very similar to the proposed City of London Air Emissions study.
(Client: City of Chula Vista, 1994)

City of Ottawa Task Force on the Atmosphere (TSA 9332)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. has participated in the City of Ottawa's Task Force on the Atmosphere. In developing a strategy for air emission reductions for the City of Ottawa, the Task Force has utilized Torrie Smith Associates Inc.' database of air emissions reduction measures and a method for screening and prioritization based on a tool developed by Mr. Torrie for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.
(Client: City of Ottawa, 1993-present)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. developed a set of greenhouse gas emission reduction scenarios, using in-house models and models developed at the University of Toronto. Scenarios with emission reductions of 25% and 50% were developed and simulated, and then subjected to an economic analysis.
(Client: McMaster Institute for Energy Studies, 1993).

A follow-up paper was published in Energy, Vol.22, No.7 "Achieving Ecologically-Motivated Reductions of Canadian CO₂ Emissions" L.D. Danny Harvey, Ralph Torrie and Robin Skinner.

Royal Society Committee on Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction (TSA 9215)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. principal Ralph Torrie was an invited member of a Royal Society blue ribbon expert panel (COGGER) that reviewed Canadian research on greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies, (including transportation analysis) and identified priorities for future work.
(Client: Royal Society of Canada, 1992)

OECD Group on Urban Affairs, Canadian Overview Paper on Urban Energy Practices (TSA 9221)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. prepared Canada's "country paper" for an international review of urban energy management practice. The review is part of an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) seeking information on successful technologies, management practices and strategies being employed by utilities, cities and provinces to reduce the harmful health and environmental impacts (air, water and soil contamination) affecting people living in urban areas in OECD countries.
(Client: Canada Mortgage and Housing, 1992)

Energy-related Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Canadian Forest Products Sector (TSA 9026)

Provided the research and analysis for a study to determine greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the forestry sector.
(Client: ESSA Ltd. for the Canadian Forestry Service, 1990)

Energy Working Group -- Second World Climate Conference (TSA 9022)

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. principal Ralph Torrie was an invited participant in the energy working group of the Second World Climate Conference where he assisted in the development of a consensus and the production of the report of this international group of experts.
(Client: Environment Canada, 1990)

Developing Counties and Global Warming Workshop (TSA 9021)

In the run-up to the Second World Climate Conference, Torrie Smith Associates was retained to plan and host a small workshop at Montebello, Quebec of the developing world's leading experts on the implications of the global warming issue to developing countries.
(Client: International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study, 1990)

House of Commons Environment Committee -- Global Warming Hearings (TSA 9020)

We were retained by the House of Commons Environment Committee to prepare a technical briefing on greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and the potential for emissions reduction through various energy policy measures.
(Client: House of Commons, 1990)
 

Torrie Smith Associates Inc. planned the membership and the agenda of the crucial energy working group of the International Conference on the Changing Atmosphere held in Toronto in 1988. TSA principal Ralph Torrie served as the energy group's rapporteur, where he helped shape the consensus that led to the recommendation that governments seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 80% of their 1988 levels by the year 2005.
(Client: Environment Canada, 1988)