On 3-4 March 2020, energy and policy experts from the EU and Canada gathered for a two-day workshop in Ottawa. BPIE supported the European Commission and Natural Resources Canada in the organisation of this event that aimed to foster exchange on several topics related to energy efficiency in buildings and the transition to a decarbonised society.

The workshop was organised in the context of the Strategic Partnership for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA), and in addition to exchange of good practice, it was the opportunity to provide an overview of the governance and policy landscapes of energy efficiency in buildings and housing in Canada and the European Union, particularly in light of the Clean Energy for All Europeans legislative package and the EU Green Deal.

The second part of the workshop focused on how we can prepare the workforce to build a highly efficient and decarbonised building stock. Training the workforce to deliver energy efficiency is a key element of the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The German “Energiewende” was further discussed; in particular how it is designing and introducing (re)training programs to transition to a low-carbon economy.

The last session discussed initiatives to develop and implement smart building concepts, including the concept of smart cities and smart buildings (including the Smart Readiness Indicator), as well as examples from Canadian and European regions and cities to explore solutions to create energy positive, net zero energy urban neighbourhoods.

Gathering actors at national and local levels, the workshop allowed multilevel discussions in interactive sessions, alternating with expert panels and presentations.

Read the press release here