Boost Building Efficiency to Meet Climate Goals, Experts Urge Canada

Source: Gaye Taylor | · THE ENERGY MIX · | November 15, 2023

Canada has all the technological tools it needs to decarbonize its building sector, but daunting challenges remain at the system level, said a panel of experts at a recent climate conference held in Ottawa.

Building emissions in Canada have been rising since 2005, and continue to do so, putting the country at risk of missing its 2030 emissions reduction target, noted panelists at the recent Building Momentum Toward Net Zero climate conference, co-hosted by the Canadian Climate Institute and the Net-Zero Advisory Body. Reducing and decarbonizing energy use in buildings is largely about decarbonizing heat, for which the technology exists: cold-weather heat pumps, district energy systems, and hybrid heating. But many aspects need to come together to help Canada make a nation-wide switch away from fossil-fuelled heating.

Policies announced to date, like the Canada Green Buildings Strategy, may not be sufficient to put Canada back on track to meeting its climate goals, the panelists said. One solution would be to accelerate progress by amplifying existing efficiency programs, but without duplicating them.

“What we don’t need is more programs entering the market and operating distinctly from each other,” said Raegan Bond, partner and principal at Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors. With utility-regulated energy efficiency programs in place for decades across Canada, with “incredible infrastructure,” program design, and delivery expertise already in place, “we need to amplify that, not duplicate it.”