Canada’s built environment – the collective of Canadians’ residences, commercial buildings, and institutional buildings – is responsible for approximately 12% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of these emissions result from the heating of water and buildings. The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change proposed new actions for the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the built environment, in support of Canada’s international commitments.

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development conducted its study of the built environment to determine how the federal government can help to further accelerate the transition to more energy-efficient buildings that emit fewer greenhouse gases. The Committee heard from home builders, territorial government officials, representatives from voluntary building standards organizations, and federal government officials, among others.

The federal government leads the development and regular updating of national model codes. A core objective of the national building codes should be added to reflect the importance of these codes in increasing energy efficiency and decreasing GHG emissions for the built environment.

The Committee is encouraged that, for the first time, a model energy code will provide guidance to those retrofitting and improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. To target the most effective emissions reduction opportunities, a national strategy for energy retrofits of existing buildings should be developed, which reflects regional differences in building age and type, climate, and heating fuel type. Once energy retrofits are completed, the effectiveness of this work at reducing energy usage and GHG emissions should be verified, and the federal government should develop tools for this purpose.

The Committee looks forward to the publication of the next version of the national model energy code for new buildings, which will be tiered and will facilitate provinces and territories to gradually achieve net-zero energy ready codes by 2030. To allow for the implementation of net-zero energy ready codes, a skilled labour transition will be required. Building operator and inspector training is important as energy-efficient building systems become increasingly available.

To make smart decisions, Canadians need information tools to easily estimate the impact of behaviour changes and retrofits on their buildings’ energy usage and embodied carbon. As well, more Canadians should be made aware of the federal incentives available to them to buy, build, and renovate energy-efficient homes. Further incentives and a streamlined regulatory environment are recommended to encourage the early adoption of onsite renewable energy generation and green building techniques and technologies.

The value of building science research, development, and demonstration funded by the federal government was mentioned by numerous private and public sector witnesses during this study. Building science initiatives should be increased, particularly for the North. Building standards specifically adapted to the North should be developed cooperatively, including with Indigenous governments and communities, to address the North’s unique challenges.

The federal government must lead by example. High energy efficiency standards should be demanded when the federal government acquires new buildings or rental space. Departments and agencies responsible for federally-owned buildings should spur on the adoption of building innovations by developing and implementing multi-year energy retrofit strategies for their buildings.