Who is Efficiency Canada?

We are Canada’s voice for an energy efficient economy.

Efficiency Canada is the national voice for an energy efficient economy. We envision a future where Canada uses energy efficiency to its fullest potential. This means maximizing the benefits of energy efficiency resulting in a sustainable environment, a productive economy, and a just and equitable society.

Efficiency Canada is housed at Carleton University’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre, which is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin nation.

What does Efficiency Canada do?

RESEARCH – A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO POLICY ANALYSIS

We study the technology, governance and business systems that influence Canada’s ability to use energy efficiency to its fullest potential.

By analyzing these systems, we can:

Highlight the strengths and problems in Canada’s energy efficiency sector and its related policy systems
Benchmark against other jurisdictions and climate change goals
Recommend more effective policies and business models
Provide resources for energy efficiency advocates

COMMUNICATIONS — PUTTING EFFICIENCY ON THE MAP

We monitor, influence and sometimes even create the public policy conversation to show how an energy efficient economy benefits Canada.

Our communication approach helps us to:

Ensure energy efficiency remains a viable policy option for government
Help our stakeholders and sector learn what is happening outside of their regions or silos
Enable our research and policy analysis to “come alive”
Bring the sector together under a common narrative

ENGAGEMENT – ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZING OUR PEOPLE

We bring the many facets of the energy efficiency sector together, in an effort to activate our community and raise their voices, so we are heard by policymakers.

Through our engagement work we can:

Convene national and regional actors (energy efficiency businesses, government officials and advocates) on topics of interest to the sector
Connect people within the sector to each other, enabling the sector to achieve a common mission
Engage energy efficiency supporters in making change, providing examples of the value of strong policies and investment
Identify regional leaders, who can be effective champions for energy efficiency
Raise money to drive our mission
Use our platform to bring awareness to the sector on the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion within the sector

What values guide this work?

This work is informed by several core values that we believe must characterize the transition toward an energy efficient economy. We value:

SUSTAINABILITY

It is imperative that Canada transition to a sustainable energy future. This entails that our economy and society must move towards net zero emissions. Energy efficiency is internationally recognized as being a principal component of this sustainable future, and we are committed to ensuring it plays a central role in Canada’s energy transition.

INCLUSIVITY

From climate justice to racial justice, our energy system is tied up in broader conversations about power that are radically changing many of our institutions. All of us, and particularly those who have been marginalized, must both benefit from and have the capacity to participate in the transition to a sustainable economy. We work to remove barriers preventing access and agency, to recognize and amplify diverse voices, and to create opportunities for voices that need to be heard.

RESOURCEFULNESS

Canada is a country of many resources; we must be smart, innovative and entrepreneurial in how we marshal them in pursuit of a sustainable, inclusive and people-centred energy system. We strive to realize this in our own work at Efficiency Canada, and to demonstrate the value of energy efficiency as a key Canadian resource.

PEOPLE

The foundation of a successful and inclusive transition is the people who will achieve it, and for whom the real and tangible impacts of energy efficiency will be felt in their homes, their workplaces, and their communities. Accordingly, we seek to engage, organize and mobilize the individuals who work in energy efficiency, as well as the organizations and businesses with which they are employed.

What is our desired long-term impact?

Towards our vision for Canada to be using energy efficiency to its fullest potential, we seek to have impact in three critical areas:

ZERO-CARBON BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Why is this important?

Fifteen percent of Canada’s emissions come from the built environment
The comfort and safety of our buildings and facilities affect our ability to live, work and play
Contributes to improvement in indoor air quality, home comfort and safety and increased productivity for business, institutions and industry.

A NET-ZERO PRODUCTIVE ECONOMY

Why is this important?

Energy efficiency can be a new area for productive investment and innovation that improves Canadian well-being and competitiveness

Energy efficiency is one of Canada’s clean technology exports and can attract new industries to Canada
Reducing and re-shaping energy demands increases the impact of other zero-carbon solutions (such as renewables)

MEANINGFUL CAREERS

Why is this important?

Stable, skilled, purposeful jobs will improve the economic, social and environmental health of local communities
Implementation of energy efficiency programs must be matched with policy ambition
Creates a positive feedback loop: more workers equals support for strong policies which equals more work, which in turn creates demand for better policies etc.