A new report by Efficiency Canada shows how federal investment in existing low-income energy efficiency programs can help achieve net-zero emissions and reduce energy poverty.

To achieve net-zero emission goals, this budget must strategically dedicate resources to prepare for a significant scale-up in energy efficiency. Canada lags other nations in the efficient use of energy resources. A recent International Energy Agency analysis showed that Canada has the highest energy intensity measured by total final consumption per unit of GDP amongst all member countries. However, this suggests there is significant potential to cut energy costs, improve productivity, and reduce emissions.

The building sector workforce, as presently composed, is not adequately equipped to
deliver the scale and scope of green building construction and retrofitting that is required to meet Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Together with the Canada Green Building Council, we developed a simple “placemat” to describe the problem and propose some recommendations.