| In Focus |
Welcome to the fifteenth issue of Heads Up FHIO.  Presentations from the “Emission Reduction and Energy Efficiency Workshop” |
| Featured Articles |
Energy-Efficient Buildings: Government of Canada Supports the B.C. Government Strategy Energy Saving Project Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site |
The Federal House in Order (FHIO) initiative is the Government of Canada's plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within its own operations in line with Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change (AP2000).
Under AP2000, a total federal commitment of $500 million over 5 years has been made to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the Canadian economy. Of this investment, $44.2 million has been allocated to federal operations, including $30 million for the purchase of electricity from renewable resources and
$1.2 million for on-site electricity generation demonstration projects in federal buildings.
Through the FHIO initiative, the eleven departments and agencies which account for 95 percent of federal emissions have agreed to collectively meet a target of reducing GHG emissions within their operations by 31% from 1990 levels to 2010. From 1990 to March 2003, a total reduction in GHG emissions of 24% has been achieved within federal government operations through reductions in floor space and fleet size, a switch to less carbon-intensive energy sources, improvements in energy efficiency and fuel switching. Of the remaining 7%, approximately half of the target will be achieved through central purchases of emerging renewable electricity and the other half will be met through other measures such as energy efficiency and fuel switching in buildings and fleets.
To encourage further emissions reductions within federal government operations, all departments, agencies and Crown corporations will be challenged through the FHIO Leadership Challenge to undertake a GHG reduction program of their own design and voluntarily report on results. The Government of Canada will also show leadership by taking concrete action to reduce emissions associated with employee commuting, business travel and taxi use.
On November 21st, 2002 the Government of Canada expanded the mandate of FHIO under the Climate Change Plan for Canada. The plan announced that all new Government of Canada facilities will be built to 25% better than the Model National Energy Code and that all new federal housing units will meet R2000 guidelines. It was also announced that the Government would work towards completing energy efficient retrofits in a further 20% of its buildings, and that all of the goods and equipment purchased for federal operations will meet the energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® standard. Additional commitments were made to increase the proportion of low-emitting vehicles in the federal fleet and for the government to be a first purchaser of next generation power technologies and energy sources.
As a result of this expanded mandate, additional resources have been allocated to Federal Building Demonstration Projects, which showcase innovative emission reduction and renewable energy projects in federal facilities. Under this measure, some 60 federal building and housing projects are being enhanced between now and 2006 to demonstrate leading-edge energy efficiency and renewable energy equipment. In addition, more resources are being allocated to longer-term funding for green power projects.
Progress also is being made in other areas under the expanded mandate, and this site will be updated periodically to capture significant achievements.
Targets for Emission Reductions from Federal Operations (Chart)
This chart illustrates the Government of Canada's progress towards meeting its FHIO target of reducing GHG emissions by 31% from 1990 to 2010. By the end of fiscal year 2002-2003, the 11 departments engaged in the FHIO program had succeeded in reducing total emissions by 24% below 1990 levels.
Source - Annual Report on Emissions Reductions from Federal Operations (October 2004)
GHG Emission Inventory
Under the FHIO initiative, emissions from the eleven targeted departments and agencies will be monitored through a comprehensive GHG Emissions Inventory. This inventory currently tracks buildings and fleet related emissions for the eleven designated FHIO departments and is being expanded to include non-energy GHG data.
Check out the GHG Inventory for more information.
Emissions Reductions From Federal Operations (ERFO) Report
The Annual Report on Emissions Reductions from Federal Operations; 2004 is the most recent report tabled by the federal government to outline its progress towards the FHIO target. It meets the Government of Canada's commitment to report annually on its progress in reducing GHG emissions.
Contact Us:
Jim Comtois, Federal House In Order,
Natural Resources Canada, (613) 943-0225
Blaine Mohninger, Federal House In Order
Environment Canada, (819) 953-4080
