Government of Canada Invests in Energy Efficient Building Project at Carleton University

OTTAWA, Aug. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The transition to a low-carbon economy requires collective action to make buildings more energy-efficient. Our government is collaborating closely with partners to develop solutions that will benefit Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of $350,000 for a project at Carleton University that will help the construction industry design more energy- efficient and high-performing buildings. This project will study and model occupant behavioural patterns to better predict building energy consumption and find new methods to reduce it.

Canada is committed to the transition to a low-carbon economy. Buildings and homes contribute approximately 17 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and industry on energy code development, data sharing, research and development, and market transformation strategies for the building sector. This initiative builds on the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) and Canada's Buildings Strategy, developed in partnership with the provinces and territories and through broad consultations with Canadians, key experts and industry stakeholders. Over one-third of estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the PCF are from energy-efficiency measures.

Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that the transition to energy-efficient buildings is necessary for Canada's low-carbon future. Through the combined efforts of federal, provincial and territorial governments, we continue to support green infrastructure projects that will create jobs, advance Canada's clean future and help us realize our collective domestic and international climate change goals.

Quotes

"Energy Efficiency has a critical role to play in Canada's future energy system. The Government of Canada continues to undertake initiatives that will help transform Canada's homes and buildings to be more energy-efficient and reduce GHGs, creating healthier and more comfortable and productive environments at home and at work, leading to lower energy bills."

Catherine McKenna
Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

"Carleton has prioritized innovation and excellence in research on energy efficiency. The federal government's support reflects Carleton's commitment to advancing Canada's global leadership in this field."

Rafik Goubran
Carleton Vice-President (Research and International)

"We are pleased to be working with RWDI, Autodesk, and the Government of Canada on this project, and we already have important outcomes. Our team has demonstrated that assumptions made about occupants can have a profound impact on optimal building decisions. As well, we have shown that current building codes underestimate the benefits of technologies that allow building to adapt well to partial occupancy.''

Liam O'Brien
Carleton Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Related Links

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/funding/current-funding-programs/eii/21308

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.ca.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada