Published on September 20, 2023, this report by Bryalen Fernandes from Alectra examines the conversion of The Green Energy & Technology Centre into an eco-friendly, energy-efficient facility, featuring a fully electric vehicle fleet. The article highlights that Canada currently lacks building code requirements or standards for Net Zero Buildings. It also discusses the carbon footprint of buildings and the importance of considering embodied carbon throughout the lifecycle of building materials, including manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal, particularly when transitioning away from natural gas. The article emphasizes the need for data post-COVID to inform decisions on technologies like geothermal and solar power, using the Canada Green Buildings strategy as an incentive framework.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency/Management, Large Building Controls/Automation, Natural Gas, Post-COVID-19, Renewable Energy, Water Management, Zero Net Energy, Sustainable Leadership, Canada Green Building Council, Environmental Responsibility, Leed & Energy Star Certification, Feed In Tariff Program, IESO