RC105 MarApr2023 - Magazine - Page 14
BUILDINGS
KEY POINTS FROM CANADA’S 2030 EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN:
CANADA’S NEXT STEPS FOR CLEAN AIR AND A STRONG ECONOMY
The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan includes $9.1 billion in new investments and reflects
economy-wide measures such as carbon pricing and clean fuels, while also targeting actions
sector by sector ranging from buildings to vehicles to industry and agriculture.
Emissions in the buildings sector have been trending upward since 2005 as Canada’s
building stock continues to grow.
Much of the technology needed to decarbonize buildings exists today. For example,
electrification of heating by switching from fossil fuels (e.g., oil, natural gas) to electric heat
pumps is an economic and viable option in most parts of Canada, particularly as electrical
grids expand capacity and decarbonize in parallel.
To watch a replay of the entire discussion or listen
to the podcast, visit www.renewcanada.net
MIKE WIENINGER I think every building is unique.
And every building is going to have a dif Electrifying more activities—from vehicles to heating and cooling buildings to various
ferent comfort need, whether it’s through
industrial processes—will be needed for Canada to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.
temperature or HVAC. And when you look at
each of those things, I think you got to look at
the building type from there. You must look
at it holistically because you may not need
What are some of the different approaches to deep carbon retrofits
to upgrade your envelope, if you just change your HVAC
for different building archetypes?
system, you might achieve the reduction that you need.
Same thing from the water supply. I think when you look
KIRK JOHNSON To embark on a deep carbon retrofit or a net-zeat it holistically for each building and treat each building
ro strategy you need a followable plan. I use an acronym—
uniquely, then I think you can find the right solution.
ACTIVATE. A: accelerate your targets and timelines. C: create your dream teams that are going to work on it. T: start
DEVON STOPPS I would echo that integrated design philosophy
tracking and benchmarking your carbon, your costs, your
where you must look at the building to get where you need
consumption, etc. I: invest in your workforce. V: value risk
to go. If you are retrofitting to a heat pump, and you make
and resiliency. A: align the interest and all the intersections
those envelope improvements to the building, you might
because we have all these utilities and municipalities and
not have to increase the size of your distribution pipes to
federal and association, all these carbon accelerators, all
move to a low-temperature heat distribution system. So,
that stuff. Start incorporating that. T: trigger the actual
looking at that holistically, the other part is what’s above
projects. And the last thing is E: engage your stakeholders.
business as planned, such as replacing windows in five
They will give you some amazing ideas and excellent feedyears. What’s that incremental cost? Can you install someback and probably give you the justification you need to
thing a bit better? And what’s the incremental payback? I
move it up the ladder and get a green light with that extra
think that’s important to look at as well.
zero in your budget.
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RENEW CANADA – MARCH/APRIL 2023
RENEWCANADA.NET
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Decarbonizing Canada’s building sector will create new, well-paying local jobs in every part of
the country and could stimulate new markets for Canadian industry.
