Energy efficiency in our homes and buildings reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increases comfort and saves money. Promoting energy-efficient practices plays a key role in creating Canada's clean energy future.
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced investments totalling more than $3.5 million for Carleton University for two energy-efficient building research projects.
The first project, with an investment of $3 million, will research ways to improve insulation and combat heat loss in buildings. Two-thirds of the energy we use in our buildings is for heat, but too often the heat leaks through walls, roofs and doors. By finding better ways to build we can create net-zero energy or net-zero energy-ready buildings. These include exploring new, factory-built materials, including super-thin insulation, to cut heat loss in housing and buildings by 65 percent.
The second project, with an investment of more than $510,000, will develop cutting-edge software to help building managers monitor energy use and find good opportunities to reduce consumption, thereby reducing emissions and saving them money.
Buildings are a significant source of emissions in Canada, with commercial and institutional buildings accounting for approximately 12 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. By 2030, 75 percent of our buildings will still be standing. Finding ways to significantly reducing energy waste in existing buildings is one of the most important ways we can tackle climate change.
Canada's $60-billion climate plan includes over 50 measures that are fighting climate change, reducing emissions and investing in clean technologies that can keep our economy growing. The energy efficiency measure in Canada's climate plan are expected to create 118,000 jobs a year, and jobs in clean energy are already outpacing the national average by 60 percent. By working together, we are making sure that we're passing a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future onto our kids and grandkids.
Quotes
"Supporting researchers and scientists is extremely important. The innovative ideas of Carleton University's faculty and students are critical to helping us build a cleaner Canada - including cleaner buildings. Energy efficiency is one of the smartest things we can do to tackle climate change. It reduces emissions while lowering energy bills. This is an example of practical, effective and affordable climate action that can benefit all Canadians."
- Catherine McKenna
Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
"As a distinguished research and teaching institution located at the heart of our national capital, Carleton University has a responsibility to lead in addressing the challenges arising from climate change. Today's announcement helps support cutting-edge research in energy efficiency and net-zero energy buildings that will benefit all Canadians."
- Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.
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The Energy Innovation Program (EIP) recognizes that innovation in clean energy technologies must be affordable, reliable and sustainable to support Canada's transition toward a clean energy future. The EIP supports reducing emissions, including GHGs, through research, development and demonstration of clean energy technologies, with the aim of meeting 2050 clean growth targets.
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In addition to the two energy efficiency projects, NRCan has invested $2 million through its Clean Growth Program for additional research projects with Carleton University, including:
o $1.62 million for a research project at Carleton University to develop and deploy a new technology that will help inform Canadian oil and gas producers on ways to reduce methane emissions associated with liquid storage tanks; and,
o more than $380,000 for a research project at Carleton University that will help address a critical gap in the northern natural resources sector by developing freeze core X-ray technology that will help differentiate between climate and resource development-related impacts to the environment. The technology will also help improve environmental assessment processes including water pollution monitoring and remediation and mitigation strategies in mining and energy sectors across Canada.
