Home
	Databases
	NEUD Publications
	Data & Analysis Centres
	Glossary

Improving Energy Performance in Canada – Report to Parliament Under the Energy Efficiency Act - 2003-2004

Chapter 10: General Programs

Outreach

Objective: To increase Canadians' awareness and understanding of climate change and the link to energy use, and to encourage Canadians to take action.

The Outreach program provides information and activities to encourage Canadians to integrate energy efficiency into their energy-use decisions. Outreach supplements program communications activities with publications, exhibits, joint projects and the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) Web site.

The Outreach program targets youth as future energy consumers by investing in joint initiatives in the education sector and through promotional projects. Public information activities increase awareness of the environmental impact of energy use. They also encourage consumers to adopt energy-efficient practices and to switch to alternative forms of energy.

As a component of the Outreach program, the One-Tonne Challenge was launched in March 2004. The One-Tonne Challenge is co-managed with Environment Canada, with input from and coordination with other departments, such as Transport Canada. The One-Tonne Challenge asks Canadians to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne. Canadians are challenged to use less energy, to reduce waste and to conserve water and other resources. Reduced emissions will protect the climate and result in cleaner air and healthier communities for all Canadians.

Key 2003-2004 Achievements

• Increase of 30 percent in the volume of publications distributed and a 300 percent increase in Web site visits, indicating increasing interest in energy efficiency.
• Baseline polling indicated that 81 percent of Canadians believe that their actions to increase energy efficiency will pay off.
• Energy and the Environment calendar (7072 submissions received – 144 000 calendars distributed) participation increased by 45 percent; visits to the Web site for the calendar increased (13 percent).
• Energy Ambassadors – Student Competition: 75 projects received – 19 awards presented to 38 students.
• Canada's Energy Efficiency Awards – 179 nominations received – 15 awards presented.
• OEE extended six provincial/territorial co-funded Public Education and Outreach Hubs for two years.
• Climate change educational material has been linked to provincial curricula across Canada and workshops are underway to reach elementary and secondary teachers.

For more information:
oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/programs.cfm

Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD)

Objective: To fund research and development (R&D) designed to ensure a sustainable energy future for Canada in the best interests of our economy and our environment.

The PERD budget for 2003-2004 was approximately $58 million. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) allocated The remaining $16.5 million was allocated $41.5 million to energy R&D programs managed and performed in the department, approximately 50 percent of which contributed to improved energy efficiency in Canada. Examples of funded projects are included in the performance reporting in Chapters 4-8 of this report. The remaining $16.5 million was allocated to 10 federal departments that are partners in PERD.

For more information:
www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd/english/View.asp?x=665

Climate Change Technology Development and Innovation Program (of the Government of Canada Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change)

Objective: To accelerate the development of cost-effective R&D mitigation technologies in multiple sectors, building the intellectual foundation for long-term technological advances, building alliances and partnerships and demonstrating federal leadership towards sustainable development.

The Climate Change Technology Development and Innovation Program received $20 million over six years (2001-2006) as a part of Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.

Key 2003-2004 Achievements

• Developed and demonstrated novel mitigation technologies in the second year of the Innovative Research Initiative, aimed at federal, provincial and territorial research organizations. A total of 33 R&D projects are nearing completion, and 15 new projects received incubation funding to undertake novel next-generation R&D.

For more information:
www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd/english/View.asp?x=658

International Initiative for Technology Development Program

Objective: To identify and develop technology transfer projects and facilitate the expansion of market opportunities for climate change technologies.

The International Initiative for Technology Development Program received $10 million over six years (2001-2006) as part of Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.

Key 2003-2004 Achievements

• Provided funding to nine new feasibility studies.
• Launched the Clean Energy Portal and provided marketing support at five national and international conferences.
• Organized numerous outgoing and incoming missions to promote Canadian technology transfer.

Climate Change Technology and Innovation Research and Development and Innovation Program

Objective: To contribute to the Climate Change Plan for Canada objective to "advance promising GHG technologies through R&D, demonstration and early adoption initiatives to achieve long-term GHG reductions and strengthen Canada's technology capacity."

Implemented in 2003 with $115 million over five years of federal funding, T&I R&D is based on long-term strategic planning that takes into account expected energy futures and visions to the year 2025. R&D is conducted in the five strategic areas of cleaner fossil fuels, advanced end-use efficiency technologies, decentralized energy production (including renewables), biotechnology and the hydrogen economy.

The T&I R&D budget for 2003-2004 was $6.4 million. NRCan allocated $5.1 million to energy R&D programs managed and performed in the department. A targeted Request for Proposals focused on R&D, strategic and scoping studies, and infrastructure renewal. Key NRCan R&D achievements that contributed to improved energy efficiency in Canada are included in the performance reporting in Chapters 4-8 of this report. The remaining $1.5 million was allocated to six federal departments that are partners in T&I R&D.