Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Ontario Investing up to $900M in Energy Retrofits for Social Housing, Private Residential Apartment Buildings
Climate Change Action Plan Will Reduce GHG's, Create Jobs, Support Sustainable Communities
Ontario is leading the fight against climate change by investing up to $900 million over four years from cap and trade proceeds to support people who rent by retrofitting social housing apartments and providing grants and rebates for residential multi-tenant buildings.
As part of the Climate Change Action Plan, which will be released this spring, the province will invest up to $500 million to retrofit social housing apartments with energy efficiency and renewable technologies such as energy-efficient windows, and thermal insulation on piping and other mechanical systems. In addition to reducing emissions, this would improve comfort for residents and save money for social housing providers to make other capital improvements. Indigenous social housing would also be eligible for retrofits under this program.
Ontario will also help improve energy efficiency in private residential apartment buildings by investing up to $400 million in an incentive program that will offer rebates or grants toward the purchase and installation of energy efficient technologies, like boiler replacements and lighting retrofits.
To ensure that carbon pricing does not negatively impact tenants and that private building owners take advantage of retrofit programs, the province will also consult on and develop options to make it illegal to pass these costs on tenants.
Through the Climate Change Action Plan, Ontario will ensure cap and trade proceeds are invested in a transparent and accountable way back into projects that fight climate change by helping households save money on their energy costs, creating jobs in sectors like clean-tech and construction, and helping small and medium-sized businesses reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Fighting climate change while supporting growth, efficiency and productivity is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts:
- In February 2016, Ontario invested $92 million to retrofit social housing through the Green Investment Fund.
- An ERA Architects and University of Toronto study has shown that high-rise apartment buildings use up to 25 per cent more energy per square metre than a house.
- Fossil fuel use in the buildings sector, including homes, represents about 19 per cent of Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions. This figure rises to about 24 per cent if electricity used by equipment and appliances is included.
- Strong action is needed to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution to meet Ontario's greenhouse gas reduction targets. Ontario's targets are ambitious yet achievable, and in line with global objectives, with reductions from 1990 emission levels of 15 per cent in 2020, 37 per cent in 2030 and 80 percent in 2050.
- About 20 per cent of Ontario's renters live in social housing.
- A 2012 Deutsche Bank study found that every $1 million invested in energy efficiency-related retrofits in multi-family affordable housing buildings generated between $1.3 million and $3.9 million in energy savings and increased Gross Domestic Product.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"These initiatives expand on our recent efforts through the Green Investment Fund to bring upgrades to older, energy inefficient social housing buildings to reduce energy costs and better service tenants, while helping Ontario meet the climate challenges of today and tomorrow. This investment will help our province reduce greenhouse has emissions while enhancing the quality of life of low-income Ontarians."
— Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"Ontario is leading the fight against climate change and taking strong action by ending dirty coal, setting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets, establishing a cap and trade program and building transit. The Climate Change Action Plan is our next step in that fight. The plan will create good jobs, help people and businesses become more energy-efficient, and accelerate a shift to a more sustainable society."
— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Media Contacts:
David Mullock
Minister's Office, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
416-212-7301
david.mullock@ontario.ca
Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
416-314-6666
gary.wheeler@ontario.ca
Mark Cripps
Minister's Office, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-6842
mark.cripps@ontario.ca
Conrad Spezowka
Communications Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066
conrad.spezowka@ontario.ca
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