BOMA BEST

BOMA BEST
Name	BOMA BEST
Type	Non-profit certification program
Founded	2005
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Region served	Canada
Parent organization	Building Owners and Managers Association Canada

BOMA BEST BOMA BEST is a Canadian voluntary certification program for existing commercial buildings that evaluates environmental performance and sustainability. Launched to provide a standardized framework for energy, water, waste, and indoor environment management, it aims to help property owners, asset managers, and facility operators demonstrate operational excellence and resilience. The program interfaces with real estate markets, investors, and municipal policy instruments, offering benchmarking and third-party verification recognized across provinces and by industry stakeholders.

Overview

BOMA BEST was created to address performance gaps in the commercial real estate sector and operates within the ecosystem of organizations such as Building Owners and Managers Association International, Canadian Green Building Council, Natural Resources Canada, Green Building Council of Australia, and LEED (certification). The program covers office towers, industrial properties, retail plazas, and institutional campuses, aligning with metrics used by entities like Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, Cushman & Wakefield, Jones Lang LaSalle, and CBRE Group. Participants pursue certification levels that correspond to targets comparable to frameworks promoted by World Green Building Council, International Energy Agency, and provincial initiatives such as Ontario's GreenON and British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority conservation programs.

History and Development

Development of the program began in the early 2000s in collaboration with stakeholders including BOMA Canada chapters, provincial energy agencies like Énergir, and academic partners from institutions such as the University of British Columbia and McGill University. The formal launch in 2005 followed pilots influenced by international precedents set by Energy Star (program) and regional schemes like NABERS in Australia. Over successive iterations, the standard was revised to integrate lessons from climate policy dialogues at forums like the United Nations Climate Change Conference and research funded by agencies such as Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Strategic partnerships with insurers including Aviva Canada and financial firms like CIBC and RBC helped scale adoption through risk management and investment lenses.

Certification Standards and Criteria

The certification framework evaluates buildings across modules that cover energy management, water conservation, waste management, emissions tracking, and indoor environmental quality, reflecting principles endorsed by ISO 50001, ASHRAE, and Canadian Standards Association. Criteria include operational practices, occupant engagement, equipment retrofit plans, and performance monitoring consistent with reporting norms used by Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and Global Reporting Initiative. Scoring aligns with targets comparable to benchmarks set by Energy Star Portfolio Manager and performance goals similar to those found in LEED Operations & Maintenance. Specialized pathways exist for heritage properties, multi-tenant facilities, and healthcare campuses, with reference to standards from Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Health Canada guidance on air quality.

Assessment and Rating Process

Assessment combines data-driven inputs—utility data, submetering records, waste audits—with onsite verification by accredited verifiers affiliated with professional associations like Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and technical bodies such as Association of Energy Engineers. The process typically involves document submission, site inspection, and third-party verification, paralleling methodology approaches used by Green Globes and BREEAM. Ratings are issued at multiple achievement tiers, reflecting cumulative points for operational best practices and measured outcomes; scores influence asset valuation conversations with investors such as Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and institutional landlords including Ivanhoé Cambridge. Recertification cycles encourage continual improvement and are coordinated with municipal disclosure programs, including those in Toronto and Vancouver.

Adoption and Impact

Adoption has been strongest in major Canadian markets including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver, with several portfolios enrolling to meet tenant demand from corporations such as TD Bank Group, Scotiabank, and multinational occupants like Amazon (company) and Microsoft. Empirical studies comparing certified versus non-certified stock have drawn on data from Statistics Canada and industry analyses by firms like Deloitte and PwC, indicating operational cost reductions, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved tenant retention. Municipalities and provinces have incorporated certification incentives and expedited permitting in policy programs alongside federal procurement standards administered by Public Services and Procurement Canada. The program also feeds into corporate sustainability disclosures used by asset managers in reporting to regulators such as the Ontario Securities Commission.

Governance and Administration

Governance is administered by a national office in collaboration with regional BOMA chapters, under oversight practices similar to those of quasi-regulatory bodies like Standards Council of Canada. Technical committees comprising representatives from universities, utilities, and industry—drawn from organizations such as Hydro-Québec, BC Hydro, and professional groups like Canadian Institute of Planners—review criteria updates. Verification and accreditation of assessors follow protocols akin to those of ISO conformity assessment schemes, with quality assurance audits and stakeholder consultations engaging partners including Environmental Defence (Canada) and trade associations. Funding and strategic direction derive from membership fees, government grants, and partnerships with private sector entities in the broader commercial real estate ecosystem.

Category:Green building certification