Photos courtesy Sean Kilpatrick

Bob Page, chair of NRTEE, speaks at the "Geared for Change: Energy Efficiency in Canada's Commercial Building Sector" news conference.

If a new set of policies is adopted, the Canadian commercial building sector's emissions could be cut in half—rising 100 per cent instead of 200 per cent by 2050. The proposed policy pathway put forth by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) would allegedly enable commercial buildings to make up almost 10 per cent of reductions in the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the next 40 years.

"Geared for Change: Energy Efficiency in Canada's Commercial Building Sector," a joint report compiled by the two organizations, recommends applying:
• an economy-wide carbon price signal;
• new regulations (e.g. energy efficiency standards in building codes and minimum performance criteria);
• targeted financial subsidies and incentives (e.g. loan guarantees and accelerated capital cost allowances to promote technology deployment); and
• voluntary actions and information programs to encourage energy efficiency.

Together, these practices can lead to a reduction of 73 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) per year over the same period—an 89 per cent reduction in emissions expected from the 'business-as-usual' scenario for the sector.

With more than 440,000 commercial buildings across the country, this sector is responsible for 13 per cent of GHG emissions. The report concludes overcoming barriers to adopting green technologies and focusing on energy efficiency are critical to achieving meaningful emission reductions.

Gearing for change: 180 Kent is Ottawa's first multi-tenant office development building to target the Canada Green Building Council's (CaGBC's) LEED Gold certification.