Opinion
The transformative potential of energy efficient buildings as infrastructure
By Brendan Haley October 19, 2020
The conceptualization of energy efficiency as infrastructure could be a game changer. It might mean we start to finally capture the large-scale benefits from more efficient and zero-carbon buildings.
The ARISE building at Carleton University in Ottawa. Image courtesy of Chris Roussakis
OTTAWA—Infrastructure usually refers to large projects like highways, dams, or wastewater treatment, however, this year’s Throne Speech contained a nuance that might have gone unnoticed: “energy efficient retrofits” were listed as an infrastructure investment. Now, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has announced a $2-billion initiative towards building retrofits as part of its growth plan. These actions signal a potentially transformative change.
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