The buildings sector, which includes commercial and residential properties, is Canada’s third largest emitter of GHGs contributing 92.5 Mt CO2e of emissions in 2018. According to Canada’s Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the sector is expected to reduce its emissions to 62 Mt CO2e by 2030. This represents a 33% reduction of emissions in the sector.
Efforts to address low carbon opportunities in the building and infrastructure sector include high performing appliances, efficient and low carbon building materials, as well as techniques or technologies that support net-zero buildings. Community energy opportunities are also of high interest. These primarily include biomass based combined heat and power systems and district energy systems for remote and off grid communities. High rise wood, tall wood, and engineered wood structures are another opportunity.