As communities across Canada rally to find solutions for climate change and the affordability crisis, ensuring that everyone has access to sustainable and affordable energy is more important than ever.
This week, Efficiency Canada hosted the inaugural Canada Home Energy Justice Conference. Over 150 academics, program providers, and organizations from across the country came together in a collaborative space for essential conversations around energy justice and home energy efficiency.
A heartfelt thank you to Efficiency Canada for leading and organizing this event, which we were proud to participate in and sponsor.
“It was an incredible opportunity to hear from partners and organizations, all united in their efforts to tackle energy poverty and champion energy justice. I hope this is just the first of many conferences dedicated to these vital conversations.”
Melanie Johnston, Director of Energy Programs at EnviroCentre
We left with a renewed sense of urgency for the work we do, but also feeling hopeful for the future. Particularly inspiring were the case studies and expert panels that highlighted successful initiatives from across the country – like the success stories in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
These initiatives are bringing tangible benefits to people and neighbourhoods and can only be successful if we work together on energy justice.
If you missed the conference, these are some of the topics that were covered:
- Strategies to ensure marginalized and low-income populations can access energy-efficient technologies and programs.
- Effective methods for engaging communities in energy initiatives, highlighting local involvement in designing and implementing programs.
- Examining how coherent policy frameworks can support progress toward energy efficiency goals aligned with net-zero targets.
- Discussing financing mechanisms such as on-bill financing, grants, and low-interest loans to overcome financial barriers to energy efficiency upgrades.
- Showcasing real-world examples that provide actionable insights for attendees.
- A significant focus was placed on the broader advantages of energy efficiency beyond cost savings. Discussions highlighted improvements in health and well-being, enhanced indoor air quality, and increased comfort in homes, which are crucial for building resilient communities. Recognizing these non-energy benefits can help garner support for energy initiatives, demonstrating their value to residents and policymakers alike.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to the diverse groups that participated and shared their insights. Organizations such as Kambo Energy Group which focuses on community-driven sustainability initiatives, Ecology Action Centre, known for its innovative approaches to environmental and energy solutions, and Ontario Native Welfare Administrators, who provided valuable perspectives on integrating Indigenous knowledge into energy solutions were some of the participants contributing to the conversations over the conference.
Additionally, we are thankful for the involvement of McGill University, Carleton University, Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to name a few. Your voices and expertise are invaluable as we work together to address the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, fostering collaboration that drives meaningful change across communities.