Toronto, ON
The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s fast-changing world. This year’s MIC list features 434 businesses from 39 countries.
“We’re proud to be ranked number nine in this year’s list for our approach to carbon reduction. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and private enterprises have a crucial role to play in addressing it,” commented Dean Hopkins, COO of Oxford Properties.
“There is no silver bullet to address this challenge. The way we address our commitment to tackling climate change is through the aggregation of multiple opportunities to take a bold, innovative and industry-leading positions where we put sustainability at the forefront of our decisions. We’re investing in a culture where we do the right thing, across the organization, even if it might cost us a potential customer. Why? Because we have made a promise to pay the pensions of approximately 500,000 members in Ontario – police officers, firefighters and municipal workers – and if we fail to address climate change, we will have ultimately broken that promise.”
Oxford is addressing climate change by innovating in three major ways: Developing groundbreaking new buildings that push sustainability to unthought of levels, the integration of leading-edge technology to create energy efficiency, and human solutions that promote change in our customers and suppliers’ behavior.
Oxford has a global commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2025. Over the past 18 months, it has started construction on The Stack, the first zero carbon skyscraper in North America. It has deployed smart building technology and ‘digital twins’ which means its buildings are continually learning how to become ever more energy efficient. Oxford continues to promote healthy and sustainable choices around active transportation by over-indexing on bicycles stalls at the expense of private car parking. To make cycling or running to work as easy as possible at several new developments, Oxford provides cycling facilities at grade, meaning cyclists can bike straight into the storage area without having to carry bicycles up or down stairs. To create an excellent end-of-trip experience, it provides health-club quality shower and changing rooms with features such as a free towel service and personal grooming products
Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses on the planet and across myriad industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
“At a time of increasing global volatility, this year’s list showcases the resilience and optimism of businesses across the world. These companies are applying creativity to solve challenges within their industries and far beyond,” said Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley, who oversaw the issue with deputy editor David Lidsky.
