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The State of Energy Efficiency in Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency Report 2005

Executive Summary

The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada is the country's foremost centre for energy efficiency. It administers key programs that promote energy efficiency in the major energy-using sectors of the economy and collects and analyses energy efficiency data and trends. Clients range from individual consumers to industry and large corporations.

At the core of the OEE's analytical capacity is its annual assessment of trends in energy use and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada since 1990. These results are published in the technical report Energy Efficiency Trends in Canada. A key component of this report is the OEE Energy Efficiency Index, which shows changes in the efficiency of how Canadians use energy to heat and cool their homes and workplaces and to operate appliances, vehicles and factories. The OEE Index shows a sizable 13 percent improvement in energy efficiency over 1990-2002. As a result of this improvement, Canadians saved about $11.6 billion in energy costs in 2002 alone.

Moreover, energy use in Canada increased by only 13 percent between 1990 and 2002 rather than the 31 percent that would have taken place without increases in energy efficiency. In addition, energy-related GHG emissions are more than 50 megatonnes lower than they would have been otherwise. The OEE Index shows that even with the many barriers to improvement in energy efficiency, strong and measurable progress has been made, due in part to the programs of the OEE.

Guided by the OEE's vision statement of "Leading Canadians to Energy Efficiency at Home, at Work and on the Road," OEE programs target all energy consumers and emphasize partnerships and economic investments. They aim to provide information, improve knowledge and overcome market barriers, such as institutional deterrents in energy end-use markets and financial and economic constraints on energy users.

The Government of Canada committed to "getting its own house in order" by reducing GHG emissions from its operations by 31 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2010. Since 1990, through building retrofits, better fleet management, strategic "green power" purchases and the downsizing of operations, the Government of Canada has already achieved a 24 percent emissions reduction.The OEE has played and will continue to play an important role in helping to achieve this reduction.

As Canada works toward fulfilling its commitment for reducing GHG emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, the OEE continues to expand and improve the programs that support Canadians in the key area of energy efficiency. Improving energy efficiency reduces GHG emissions that contribute to climate change. A dynamic, flexible and proactive organization, the OEE will continue to evolve in response to the climate change challenge and new energy efficiency opportunities throughout society.

The most recent market trends data available are for 2002. This edition of The State of Energy Efficiency in Canada is available in CD-ROM format. To order the CD-ROM, visit the OEE's Web site at oee.nrcan.gc.ca or call 1 800 387-2000 (toll-free).