by Brianna Crandall — June 6, 2016 — In recent weeks, the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) released a new white paper that will act as a guide for Canadian provinces and local governments who are considering implementing an energy benchmarking program within their jurisdiction.
The white paper, titled Energy Benchmarking, Reporting & Disclosure in Canada: A Guide to a Common Framework, sets parameters for what a consistent, standardized approach to energy benchmarking on a national scale would look like, with the goal of driving municipalities across the country to establish or enhance local energy benchmarking and reporting requirements.
The white paper aims to simplify the process of policy development and implementation, while providing reliable data that will support the pursuit of strategic investments in achieving building improvements, and helping to meet energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.
The white paper highlights recommendations to all levels of government, utilities and associations, in five key areas:
- Program administration: The key roles and tasks essential to program delivery, including the expected time and resource expenditures associated with each phase;
- Program delivery: The steps and considerations necessary for building consistent, effective energy benchmarking programs, from setting building thresholds to encouraging compliance;
- Data quality control: The challenges associated with the collection of high-quality building energy data, and recommendations for their resolution;
- Data transparency: Recommendations for making energy benchmarking data both accessible and actionable for a broad range of stakeholders; and
- Building industry capacity: Identified needs, opportunities and recommendations for providing industry support and training.
Working with Integral Group and supported by the Toronto Atmospheric Foundation (TAF) and Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC), the CaGBC consulted with a broad group of stakeholders across Canada and the United States to develop this national framework, which reflects the diverse needs and interests of provincial and local governments, utilities, industry associations, and members of the real estate industry.
Julia Langer, CEO of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, said:
The old adage that “you don’t manage what you don’t measure” is absolutely true for the energy and water used in our buildings. We can learn from U.S. and European cities how to set up practical reporting and building-to-building comparison requirements, and how this actually helps accelerate efficiency improvements and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Toronto and Ontario are leading the way, and this guide will help jurisdictions Canada-wide.
The full 62-page Energy Benchmarking, Reporting & Disclosure in Canada: A Guide to a Common Framework white paper is available for free download through the CaGBC Web site.
