Carbon Neutral Plan Preparation for the Environment and Climate Change Canada Buildings Portfolio

The 2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) for Canada established thirteen goals to support Canada’s sustainable development planning. One goal requires that the Government of Canada develop low-carbon operations. The NRCan Greening Government Services (GGS) assisted Canadian federal organizations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the real property portfolio. The NRCan GGS was commited to reducing GHG emissions to 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, compared to 2005 levels. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Transport Canada (TC) were required to develop a departmental plan to achieve the FSDS and GGS Scope 1 and Scope 2 80% emission reduction targets in government operations. ECCC owned nearly 300 facilities, from research centers to shelters. An inventory of GHG emissions data is available for 15 of the larger facilities in the portfolio. TC owned vehicle fleets that represent 95% of Department emissions, as well as buildings that represent 5% of Department emissions.

Econoler carried out the following tasks for ECCC and TC:

• Conduct a review of their other energy/GHG project delivery mechanisms and tools;

• Conduct a review of renewable energy certificates and carbon offsetting opportunities;

• Analyze applicable energy efficiency and renewable energy measures;

• Assess potential initiatives and model the GHG emission reduction potential;

• Develop a carbon neutral portfolio plan;

• Develop a carbon neutral road map.

 A departmental plan that established a carbon neutral road map was prepared by asset type and region. Initiatives aimed at decreasing GHG emissions were prioritized, followed by carbon offset mechanisms. The identification and description of the factors to be considered in achieving a carbon neutral portfolio should ultimately help reduce the GHG emissions of ECCC’s buildings portfolio and TC’s buildings portfoloio and vehicle fleet.