Maximising CO2 emission reductions in the Canadian residential sector: a socio-technical analysis of housing stock retrofit potential

Panel: Panel 4: Sustainable Energy Use in Buildings

Authors:
Daniel Scott, Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada
Paul Parker, Department of Geography, University of Waterloo
Ian H. Rowlands, Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo 1.

Abstract

As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Canada has signalled its intention to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below the 1990 baseline by 2008-2012. The residential sector in Canada is the third largest consumer of energy, accounting for approximately 20% of total end-use demand and 17% of greenhouse gas emissions. Significant potential for improvements in the energy efficiency of the residential sector exists, but to achieve the Kyoto target in Canada's growing economy will require an average 4% per annum efficiency gain from 2000 to 2010. The principal means to achieve meaningful carbon-dioxide emission reductions in this sector is improved energy efficiency in the home building envelope and fuel switching.

The paper assesses the extent to which greenhouse gas reduction potential varies across different age classes of Canada's housing stock. The study combined comprehensive structural data derived from Canada's national "Home Energy Rating System" (HERS) with detailed occupant data from a 154-item social survey for a sample of over 800 homes in Waterloo Region (Ontario, Canada). The hypothesised socio-technical retrofit potential was based on technical potential (e.g., air leakage, heating-cooling technology) and social context (e.g., income, life stage, policy preferences). By identifying systematic variations in housing characteristics and the social acceptability of energy efficiency programmes, the case study demonstrates how the results could be used to maximise the "carbon-effectiveness" of Canada's initiatives in the residential sector through focused HERS evaluation activity and tailored retrofit subsidy programmes.