Windmill Development Group has been named a Global Leader under the One Planet Living (OPL) framework, securing a rare distinction seldom accorded to a corporate entity. The newly bestowed status recognizes Windmill’s alignment with OPL’s10 principles for social fulfillment with minimized environmental impact, its record of developing sustainable residential and mixed-used projects and its role in fostering impact investment in real estate.
“A Global Leader shows potential for far-reaching systemic change and is taking steps to actively inspire others in their industry to follow suit,” advises Sue Riddlestone, chief executive and co-founder of Bioregional, the sustainability consultancy that devised One Planet Living in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund. “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.”
Among its previous achievements, Windmill developed Canada’s first certified LEED Platinum community, Dockside Green, and Canada’s first One Planning Living endorsed masterplan community, Zibi. Although the Global Leader designation is typically conferred to individual projects rather than companies, Windmill is commended for its consistent application of expected performance standards, including 100 per cent combustion-free new construction, embodied carbon targets in line with the Canada Green Building Council’s zero-carbon building requirements and 90 per cent diversion of construction waste from landfill.
The One Planet Living framework is grounded on principles of health, happiness and equity; support for the local economy, culture and community, including local and sustainable food; land and nature; sustainable water; sustainable travel and transport; zero waste; and zero carbon energy.
“We believe in this framework because it puts people at the centre,” affirms Jeremy Reeds, president of Windmill Development Group. “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.”
“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,” concurs chief executive officer, Jonathan Westeinde.
