A)    At a federal level: Ben Copp, Senior Director, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
B)    At a provincial level: Andy Collier, Acting Senior Manager, Energy Policy and Programs, efficiencyPEI, Prince Edward Island (PEI)
C)    At a city level - Sean Pander, Manager, Green and Resilient Buildings Branch, City of Vancouver

•    What trends are happening across the industrial, commercial, and multi-family sectors?     
•    What policies, incentives, capacity building, market development efforts and financing approaches are necessary to overcome long paybacks and advance a solid business case for deep retrofits?     
•    How are commercial building owners incorporating deep retrofits as part of building system upgrades and portfolio-wide asset management and what types of values can it deliver to different parties?     
•    Will climate resilience be the tipping point between shallow and deep retrofits?
 

This case study will help to dispel the myth that older buildings cannot be decarbonised to 75% or more. The session will include a strategic review of how the opportunities were identified, how the financing and buy-in were secured, and an update on the current project stage.  In addition, Kingsett will give a short overview of what’s next in their portfolio.

Dream is a $24B group of real estate companies that own and operate commercial, multi-residential, industrial and other real estate assets across Canada, USA and the EU. Dream is also targeting to be Net Zero by 2035. This session will discuss real-world challenges facing portfolio level decarbonization across multiple asset types and geographic regions, as well as tools and strategies to work through these challenges.

The focus of this project deep dive will be on the financing, performance, and risk aspects of retrofitting an entire portfolio in stages to optimizing building performance, decreasing GHG emissions by more than 49 per cent, and enhancing functionality and comfort for occupants.
 

Pursuing an electrification-only approach could create a significant barrier to decarbonizing many buildings in all regions across Canada. As we chart our collective path toward a decarbonized future, it’s also critical to consider the intersecting issues of energy availability, reliability and equity, as well as occupant safety, comfort and climate resilience, particularly in people’s homes. Learn about a BC-based deep energy retrofit pilot that is implementing holistic solutions on several multifamily buildings and single-family homes, using a focus on deep demand reduction and improved mechanical system efficiency without fuel switching.

To start meeting the latest industry targets of 4 -5% annual retrofits, the industry must be transformed. To build out the capacity required to support the development of a mass retrofit industry requires a fundamental system change. This in turn would help to achieve the build out of the financing structure, supply chains, job creation, capacity and skill sets, and reduce material and labour costs.
Talking points:

•    How can a workforce, including capacity and skill sets, be built to support this? 
•    Which projects are the right ones to group together and replicate to drive economies of scale and help the market to scale effectively?
•    What else is needed in terms of the key project partners (pre-fabrication, financing, and concierge services)? 
•    Would the creation of a specialized contractor designation – a skilled tradesperson who is trained to deal with all the various elements of retrofits help to reduce decision-making complexities for owner/developers? 
•    The Federal government has committed to NetZero emissions – what does this mean for the supply chain to be compliant?    
•    How do people finance their participation in these programs and who should be financing them?
  

Each roundtable has a different topic and attendees can select the round table that they would like to participate in. Roundtable leaders will spend the first 15 minutes meeting the delegates and providing a case study / lessons learned log / industry update and then moderate a 30-minute discussion with the group where they can give feedback and ask questions. The final 10 –15 minutes will be spent on agreeing on 3 -5 industry recommendations regarding the topic. A selection of these recommendations will be shared with the whole audience and all of them will be summarized in the post-event report.

Options:

• Barriers to fight against climate change: How to reconcile the urgency for action and the short-term objectives of companies?

  Part 1: Discussion around existing dualities based on two case studies (a Fortune 100 company and a non-profit organization)

  · Economic interests versus ecological issues

  · Short-term leadership versus long-term environmental commitment

  · Creativity in developing technical solutions versus strict and rigorous procurement processes

  · Quantifiable vs. non-quantifiable measures of success such as level of awareness and engagement

  Part 2: Recommendations for a balanced approach to sustainable investing from an investor's perspective

  · Why investors are reluctant to commit to sustainable investment and why this should change

  · SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) to explore sustainable investment opportunities and identify winning strategies
  Leader: Michel Méthot, Executive Vice president, Eastern Canada, SOFIAC 
   

• Industry update: Considering embodied emissions in retrofit projects This round table will include an overview of the Embodied Emissions Guide for Local Governments, a first of its kind guide to list strategies local governments can implement to reduce embodied emissions.
  Leader: Jessica Martin-Thompson, Climate Initiatives Specialist, Community Energy Association

   

• Industry update: Rising radon gas levels in Canada: Incorporating radon reduction into energy retrofitting:

  Energy renovations often change a home’s ventilation patterns, as buildings are tightened or sealed to reduce energy loss. This can have a direct consequence for indoor air quality (IAQ). One contaminant in particular, radon gas, appears to be especially impacted by energy retrofits.  Long-term exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Canadian governments are increasingly promoting energy retrofits to homeowners through awareness campaigns, grants and subsidies. These efforts are important as incentives for saving money for residents and helping to address climate change. It is also important to raise awareness and consider their impacts on indoor air quality, such as radon, with a goal of balancing human health and energy retrofit goals. 
  Leaders: Kelley Bush, Pawel Mekarski and Mathieu Brossard, Managers, National Radon   Program and Quebec Regional Specialist, Health Canada 

• Industry update: Level-setting dialogue on codes: What you need to know and how to prepare
  This round table industry update will include: what is happening across the provinces and what level of adoption is taking place, how the new Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC)      operates and how to engage them; and an update on what the new code for existing buildings will mean for real estate owner/developers?
  Leader: Kevin Lockhart, Efficiency Canada 
   
• Lessons learned: Enabling deep-retrofit projects through innovative value generation - Multi-objective optimization for deep decarbonization and circularity, reuse and recycling
  Leader: Sheida Shahi, CEO, Adaptis
   

• Industry update: Regulatory and policy tools to accelerate retrofit market transformation
  Leaders: Karine Cazorla, Policy and Program Design Lead, Canada Green Building Strategy, Natural Resources Canada and Matt Poirier, Director of Policy, Building Decarbonization  Alliance (BDA)
   

• Co-creation: How to bring financial institutions to the table and unlock innovative solutions for deep retrofit financing
  Leaders: Katie Shuter, Advisor, Decarbonization and Cleantech, BMO and Stephane Chayer, P.Eng., D.I.M, Strategic Advisor to the President, Concordia University
   

• Industry exchange: What is the role of the investment community in fostering climate resiliency in real estate? 
  Leader: Lilya Mincheva Senior Relationship Manager, Canada Principles for Responsible Investment
    

• Industry exchange: Deep energy retrofit pilot project -- Île-Bizard Sociocultural Center.
  This round table will discuss the design solution and the overall pilot-pipeline-capacity building strategy.
  Leaders: Michael Jemtrud (McGill University), Carlo Carbone (Université du Québec  à Montréal), Christopher Baldwin (Carleton University), Antoine Mathys (McGill University)

A selection of roundtable leaders will be invited to share their industry recommendations with the wider audience.

This session will include a review of some international examples of business models and how they are helping to engage and incentivize and offer equity to new stakeholders at scale. The session will then open up to discuss how to take these key learning opportunities forward in Canada. 

Examples include:
•    Energiesprong – The Netherlands / UK
•    NYSERDA: Retrofit NY, New York
•    Rocky Mountain Institute, REALIZE

Key questions:

•  Brokering deals between owners and solution providers has been key to demand aggregation and development of integrated design and implementation, such as the flagship prefabricated panels solutions and all-in-one mechanical units. What has been key to the success of those deals? 
•  Ideally regulations and incentives are designed to leverage private capital from those with the ability to pay while ensuring equitable access to the benefits of building retrofits for low-income households. What best practices have you uncovered that help remove barriers such as upfront costs, long-term loan burdens and split incentives, particularly in low-income rental buildings which are often older buildings that are most affordable and most in need of upgrades? 
•  What aspects of international models are most easily adopted to Canadian contexts? What aspects would be challenging to adopt and how are you thinking about addressing the resulting gaps? 
•  How could mandatory building rating systems and appliance performance standards help move the dial in and accelerate decarbonization of existing buildings? 
•  NRCan is currently considering applications from retrofit accelerator and market development teams across the country, which will help ensure long-term support to accelerate deep retrofits. What do you hope to see from the successful teams? What are the top three services you think they need to provide in the first year of operation?
 

 Sponsored by 

This session will explore how the private and public sector can collaborate to help accelerate the pace of deep retrofit projects in Canada. To illustrate, it will use the PLAN/NET ZERØ's pilot deep retrofit project as an example to demonstrate that, considering the urgency, the importance of adopting a startup mindset to get started and generate the change management required to achieve carbon neutrality. Taking some level of risk with an agile approach and putting your team into action with a common goal, even on small projects, is the most important step to mobilize key stakeholders.  It is by doing that we learn, and we need to learn fast. 

English: https://youtu.be/DRcfZBdHMLg


 

•    How do retrofits fit within the overall NetZero goals for the province and how can they be aligned to accelerate transformation? 
•    What trends are happening across the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors? 
•    What role are energy companies, tenants and the investment community playing? 
•    What policies, incentives, capacity building, market development efforts and financing approaches are necessary to overcome long paybacks and advance a solid business case for deep retrofits? 
•    How can project partners and suppliers support the scaling up of retrofit projects across the province?
 

•  How can we ensure equity, diversity and inclusivity are integrated into the strategy? 
•  What is the Indigenous perspective on this and how the communities like to be included? How can Indigenous sector financing to support deep retrofits and clean energy initiatives be mobilized? 
•  How can we reach and engage low-income and community housing stakeholders into the retrofit discussion? 
•  How can we work towards creating fairer conditions for minority and Indigenous contractors to bid on (public sector) retrofit contracts? 
•  How can each sector attract new talent to diversify their teams?

Municipalities continue to face various obstacles in gaining support and approvals for sustainability projects. Community building retrofits sometimes lack the support required to see the project through. Building a strong business case, sharing best practices, benchmarking, and identifying key potential financial and social benefits can all help to achieve a higher rate of success. 
Key areas to discuss: 

•    How are municipalities facilitating deep energy retrofit projects?  How can we create programs that support deep retrofits instead of piecemeal retrofits? 
•    How can we prioritize equity and affordability in municipal programs?  
•    What will be the impact of carbon taxes on retrofit business cases?  How can a successful business case, that can amass strong support amongst various stakeholders, be achieved? 
•    How can provinces support municipalities to support the growth of the retrofit market?

The lightning round will showcase 5 case studies from a series of speakers who will each have 10 minutes to present their update on: Problem, challenge + solution. There will be a short group Q&A with the audience at the end.

1. Case study: New models for preserving affordability through deep retrofits of privately owned rental buildings
Speakers: Juliana Dutkay, Senior Lead, Strategic Initiatives – ILEO, United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT)
S. Mwarigha, Vice President Housing and Homelessness Services, Asset Sustainability and Development, WoodGreen Community Services
Nik Schruder, Advisor, Climate Change Office, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)     

2. Case study: The role of developers in creating impactful outcomes for communities
Speaker: Liza Stiff, Vice President Impact Implementation & Innovation, TAS

3. Affordable Housing Navigator: A digital platform to assess the retrofit potential of Canada's non-profit housing stock
Speaker: Donovan Woollard, Chief Executive Officer, OPEN Technologies

4. Case study: Community housing capital improvements that combine climate action and social equity goals
Speakers: Kaitlin Carroll, Retrofit Services Manager, TAF 
                  Anna Kazmierska, Design Manager, Multi-Disciplinary and Special Projects, Toronto Community
                  Housing Fund (TCHF) 

5. Innovations in architectural solar and building efficiency
Speaker: John Paul Morgan, Founder and CTO, Morgan Solar Inc.

Each roundtable has a different topic and attendees can select the round table that they would like to participate in. Roundtable leaders will spend the first 15 minutes meeting the delegates and providing a case study / lessons learned log / industry update and then moderate a 30-minute discussion with the group where they can give feedback and ask questions. The final 10 –15 minutes will be spent on agreeing on 3-5 industry recommendations regarding the topic. A selection of these recommendations will be shared with the whole audience and all of them will be summarized in the post-event report.

Options:

•    Case study: NetZero retrofit of a Community Centre 
Topic to include a review of the highly efficient lite zone windows, demonstration of 3 methodologies for insulation injections in window frames, installation of windows in glass wall, radiator lab equipment, heat pumps, and occupancy controls.  
Leader: Mike Fletcher, City of Ottawa 

•    Lessons learnt: How the social housing sector can take a holistic building portfolio approach to retrofits 

Leaders: Kaitlin Carroll, Retrofit Services Manager, TAF  | Anna Kazmierska, Design Manager, Multi-Disciplinary and Special Projects, Toronto Community Housing Fund (TCHF)  

•    Case study: Achieving the first Net Zero Ready certified home in Quebec
Leader: Fellipe Falluh, Founder, Retrofit Construction

•    Industry exchange: Addressing energy poverty in Alberta with Canada’s first community-driven retrofit program
Leader: Yasmin Abraham, Kambo Energy Group 

•   Industry exchange: Launching Alberta’s Retrofit Accelerator Program as part of the Building Information Exchange
Leader: Andrea Linsky, Program Manager, Emissions Neutral Buildings, Alberta Eco-Trust

•    Lessons learned: An Envelope First Approach to Carbon Reduction 
Session to include a comprehensive exploration of the envelope first strategy, key elements and concepts for conserving energy with the Whole Home Approach, moving towards net zero standards. The session will specifically look at reducing operational carbon with common materials: mineral fibre insulation, airtightness, windows, doors, and right-sized mechanicals. Join in the discussion to explore challenges associated with implementing this strategy, including the availability of materials, equipment, and quality control issues.
Leaders: Andy Cockburn, Director of Training & Education and Jillian McArthur, Communications Specialist, NAIMA Canada

•    Industry exchange: Landscape of Canadian Mass Retrofit Initiatives 

The roundtable will present the current government support and funding initiatives— federal, provincial, and municipal. Roundtable participants will discuss program effectiveness, focus (ex: market development, capital funding, demonstration, etc.), long-term viability, and how they could be strategically integrated to build proper capacity for a national mass deep retrofit effort.
Leaders: Michael Jemtrud (Reconstruct), Lorrie Rand (Recover), Darla Simpson (ZebX), Keith Burrows, (The Atmospheric Fund)

•    Industry insight: Retaining current market affordability with major retrofits
Leaders: Laura-Lyn Johnston, A/Manager, Tower Renewal, City of Toronto | Juliana Dutkay Senior Lead, Strategic Initiatives, United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) | Nik Schruder, Advisor, Climate Change Office, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)