Green Retrofit Economy Study

CAGBC and the Delphi Group‘s new study, Green Retrofit Economy Study profiles key pathways that will equip the green building ecosystem with insights into the workforce and supply chain needs across Canada’s retrofit economy. Through green retrofits, Canada’s buildings can contribute to net-zero climate targets, make buildings more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events, and provide rewarding job opportunities while strengthening the domestic supply of low-carbon products and services.

Growing the low-carbon economy is a key component of the federal government’s plan to generate economic growth while mitigating the worst impacts of climate change and reducing environmental impacts. Over $3.6 billion has been committed to finance energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon retrofits for large buildings as a way to meet GHG emission reduction targets. This historically significant investment will require the green building workforce to triple by 2030 to meet the demand for sustainable building construction and renovation.

To realize the opportunities that exist from this investment, Canada will need to lean heavily on a skilled, qualified, and growing workforce, as well an accessible and affordable supply chain of relevant low-carbon products, materials, and equipment.

Findings

The report anticipates that Canada will see a shortage of skilled workers in the near term, even without an increase in retrofit projects. These include carpenters, HVAC trades, plasterers and drywall installers, and mechanical engineers and technicians. Enhancing expertise and knowledge across the retrofit spectrum, including among decision-makers, designers, financing experts and consultants, will help to address the complexity and capital constraints associated with retrofit investments.

Investments in a robust, accessible, and an affordable supply chain are also needed to drive innovation and secure access to the products and services needed to complete green retrofits at scale. The report identified more than 25 technologies and products that are directly relevant to low-carbon retrofits, including building automation systems, heat pumps, heat and energy recovery systems, wall recladding systems, thermal bridging technology and integrated photovoltaics.

read the report

Since the release of the Green Retrofit Economy Study, new technical reports have been shared focusing on three key aspects of the green retrofit economy. Together, these reports show how Canada’s building sector can contribute to net-zero climate targets, make buildings more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events, and provide rewarding job opportunities while strengthening the domestic supply of low-carbon products and services.

Demand-side analysis

Explores the factors driving demand for green retrofits, and presents quantitative and qualitative research findings about what it will take to reach net-zero targets for existing buildings.

Download here

Summary of workforce supply

Describes the skills needed and the training ecosystem for key occupations within the green retrofit economy.

Read it here

Supply readiness

Presents examples and evaluates the readiness of low-carbon technical interventions for large buildings in Canada.

Access the report

Governments, employers, and educators must be focused on reskilling existing workers and growing the workforce by removing the stigma associated with trades and reaching underrepresented groups. We need to think ahead to ensure we have the right resources and supports in place as retrofit activity accelerates in the face of the rising cost of carbon.
Thomas Mueller
President and CEO, CAGBC

Canada already has many of the technologies needed to accelerate retrofits at scale. This study offers insights into where stakeholders need to collaborate and focus to remove barriers to retrofits and, in the process, modernize Canada’s built environment and meet its climate targets. It is essential reading for the new retrofit economy.
Ehren Cory
CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

Canada’s building sector must be able to meet demand in the right locations and at the right time to capitalize on the green retrofits opportunity. Ensuring there are enough skilled workers to accommodate growing retrofit projects as well as an accessible and affordable supply — including the products, materials, and technologies needed to service the retrofit economy — will be critical.
Ben Clark
Director, Green Economy, Delphi Group

Project funding partners and sponsors

This project is supported through funding from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Ontario Construction Secretariat, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.