Decarbonizing Canada's homes and buildings is the only form of climate action that reduces emissions while also directly protecting Canadians from extreme weather. We develop and advocate for policies that make Canada's homes and buildings — our third-largest source of emissions — healthier, safer, more resilient to extreme weather, and affordable to heat and cool.
Buildings
Retrofits play a role in not only decarbonizing buildings, but adapting them for increasingly extreme weather
Energy efficiency creates more jobs than any other industry
An average of 9.5 jobs are created for every $1 million invested in a whole-building energy efficiency retrofit. (Data sources: Statistics Canada and Efficiency Canada; see Canada’s Renovation Wave (2021))
Key numbers
Healthy Buildings in a Changing Climate
Our latest report, Healthy Buildings in a Changing Climate, underscores the urgent need to retrofit existing buildings to protect Canadians' health and safety.
Read the report and see the highlightsResearch & Analysis
Time for a real conversation about energy transition
And what we need to do to seize the benefitsThe new energy economy has arrived, and Canada must pay attention
International Energy Agency’s 2024 World Energy Outlook full of proof points of the scale and pace of the world’s transition to clean energyWhy power up parking places
Multi-unit residences that are primed for plug-ins attract tenants and boost property valuesConcrete innovation in B.C.
City of Langford is laying the foundation for government uptake of made-in-Canada solutionsWhy focus on buildings?
A tangible, results-driven solution
Buildings are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in Canada. One of the best ways to lower emissions and increase infrastructure resiliency is through deep retrofits—a holistic energy efficiency upgrade that improves occupant health and makes housing more affordable.
What does a deep retrofit include?
- Low-carbon materials
- New technologies (like heat pumps)
- Smart integration with electricity grids
Reimagining what is possible, one building at a time
The Reframed Initiative shows how deep retrofits provide many beyond-energy benefits like homes that are healthy, safe, resilient, and affordable to heat and cool. Our research signals a shift away from business-as-usual upgrades to deep retrofits as a benefit-rich pathway to decarbonization and adaptation.
Contact our Buildings team
Program Director
Betsy Agar
c: 604-245-1387
e: betsya@pembina.org
Media Contact
Sarah Snowdon (Eastern Time)
c: 416-838-3423
e: sarahs@pembina.org
Get our Pembina Perspectives
Pembina Perspectives provides thoughtful, evidence-based research and analysis to support action on climate — in your inbox every two weeks.
We endeavour to protect your confidentiality; read our full privacy policy.
Support resilient communities
Help build a foundation to ensure Canadian homes are net-zero, safe, affordable and resilient.