New Study: Rethinking Energy in Canadian Communities Could Save Billions,
Boost Economy and Curb Climate Change

OTTAWA, Oct. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada could save as much as $29 billion and cut greenhouse gases significantly by mid-century by applying new, integrated ways of using energy in Canadian communities, a new study shows.

The Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST) study, released today, looks at how the economy and the environment could be helped by rethinking the way our communities are designed and how people travel and commute.

The study, prepared by MK Jaccard and Associates Inc. with input from some of the leading Canadian energy, land use and transportation experts, looked together at what would happen by integrating these solutions, using data from four communities-the Greater Toronto Area, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Dawson Creek, BC; and Fort McMurray, AB; and scaled up its findings to the national level.

QUEST then applied "integrated community energy solutions" (ICES) to each community to see what would happen to the economy and greenhouse gas emissions if these were put in effect. These solutions include building more close-knit communities, adding district heating and cooling systems, improving public transportation and developing policies that enable people to work closer to home, cutting commuting.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to have supported this study together with provincial partners and private sector organizations. The study provides useful insights on how incorporating energy in community level decisions can lead to more efficient management of our energy resources and stronger communities," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "Increasing the use of Integrated Community Energy Solutions could stimulate growth, create jobs and help to preserve our environment."

QUEST found that by applying comprehensive integrated community energy solutions, Canadians could:

• Reduce Canada's yearly greenhouse gas emissions by 12 per cent by 2050,
• Save up to $29 billion by 2050 from reductions in overall direct capital spending, as well as spending on labour and energy, and
• Reduce spending on energy in households and in the service and construction sectors by billions more.

"The QUEST study asks an important question: what if we do things differently?" said Michael Harcourt, QUEST Chairman. "It recognizes urban areas contribute up to 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and that our communities and their infrastructures will all need to be modernized in the coming decades. By looking at four different communities of varying sizes across Canada, QUEST has provided valuable insights into how we could benefit by using energy most efficiently, fostering innovation, and supporting integrated community energy solutions-both environmentally and in the bottom line."

The study demonstrates that it is possible to save money, create jobs, grow the economy and reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously through integrated community energy solutions.

The full report is available at: www.questcanada.org/publications

About QUEST
Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST) is a collaborative of key players across Canada from industry, environmental movement, governments, academia and consulting community that are encouraging all levels of government, industry and citizens to support integrated approaches to providing energy services in communities.

QUEST-- Quality Urban Energy Solutions of Tomorrow
The capacity for integrated urban energy solutions (ICES) policies
to reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions

Canadian policymakers are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) but these emissions keep going up. A significant factor as to why has to do with the way we live - the urban form, if you will. Urban areas contribute up to 40 per cent of our GHG emissions.

While there is a strong relationship between GHGs and how we design and expand our cities and smaller communities, it's not always a clear one. QUEST - Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow - conducted a comprehensive research effort to clarify this.

QUEST looks at: What if we do things differently?

Phase I reviewed the scientific literature. Phase II applied the data to four communities to look at how our urban planning and living patterns might affect emissions.

Instead of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, Canada's could reduce urban GHGs by between 5 and 12% by 2050, by applying integrated community energy solutions.

QUEST shows that if we make aggressive changes we could not only reduce yearly urban GHG emissions by 13 to 35 megatonnes, we could also grow the economy more than if we follow business as usual. We could grow the economy even through moderate changes too.

QUEST's research estimates that aggressive application of integrated solutions could increase Canada's GDP by 2050, over and above how the economy would fare if we do business as usual. By planning, building our communities and conserving energy more efficiently, we would free up capital from the transportation and construction sectors for use elsewhere in the economy.

QUEST's looked at how integrated community energy solutions could be applied in four communities: the Greater Toronto Area, Winnipeg, Dawson Creek, and Fort McMurray. It considered how their GHG emissions, the Canadian economy and lifestyles would be different in 2050 if different decisions are made about how to build and expand these communities. QUEST looked at what would happen if Business as Usual continues, if a moderate program of integrated community energy solutions is applied and if an aggressive approach is taken. The scenarios showed there can be:

• Substantial savings-- Canadians could save from $14 to nearly $29 billion by 2050 from reductions in overall direct capital spending, and as well as spending on labour and energy.

• Reduced energy expenditures in the service and construction sectors--Savings of $3 to $6 billion.

• Substantial savings for families--Households could save anywhere from $12.9 to $31 billion annually in overall costs.

• Indirect effects-increased GDP, more jobs, shift toward a service economy

For GHG reductions and a stronger economy, policies need to work together, with clear policy objectives. Actions taken in different sectors can unintentionally work against each other.

Our current sprawling, auto-intensive urban form is GHG and energy intense, and each year it looks more impractical. It's a wasteful development pattern which, if it continues, would lock in emissions and energy use for up to 100 years or more. Integrated community energy solutions represent a better alternative.

QUEST is just at the beginning. More research will be needed. The possibilities for QUEST are vast; the need to understand how to leverage them is crucial.

For further information:

David Israelson
QUEST Communications Consultant
Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone]

Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
Tel: [phone]

or

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
Tel: [phone]