Government of Canada Reducing Its Environmental Footprint and Energy Costs

Environmental Footprint

Public Services and Procurement Canada Participating in Zero Carbon Pilot Program to Reduce Government of Canada’s Carbon Footprint

The Government of Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which includes greening its own operations.

The government is pleased that the Arthur Meighen Building in Toronto, Ontario, has been selected by the Canada Green Building Council to participate in its Zero Carbon Pilot Program.

Through this innovative pilot program, the Canada Green Building Council will provide guidance so that the government is able to meet the new Zero Carbon Building Standard. New and existing buildings that have high energy performance, use alternative energy sources and achieve a zero carbon footprint can be certified with the standard.

The Arthur Meighen Building will be a flagship model that demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Renovations to the building may include design features such as geothermal heating and solar panels to achieve a carbon neutral design.

Public Services and Procurement Canada has identified the Arthur Meighen Building as a major renovation project to become a modern workplace environment.

Quotes

“This project embodies our commitment to improving how we manage energy performance of federal buildings. Through this and other initiatives across government, we are taking steps to reduce our footprint and green our buildings.”

Steven MacKinnon
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Quick Facts

  • Built in the 1950s, the Arthur Meighen Building is a 10-storey building with an area of 41,085 square metres.
  • An initial feasibility study, focusing on energy efficiency, showed that it is possible to reduce the building’s greenhouse gas emissions by 88%, compared to the current building’s performance, and achieve annual savings of over $500,000 in energy costs.
  • A zero carbon building produces, or procures, carbon-free renewable energy in an amount sufficient to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with its operations.
  • The renovated building will serve as the main Government of Canada building in the Ontario Region.

Photo from: www.cp-enews.com

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