Building clean does not need to break the bank - Clean Energy Canada

The article from Clean Energy Canada emphasizes that addressing Canada’s housing shortage and climate goals can be achieved simultaneously without significant cost increases. While much attention is given to reducing emissions from heating and powering homes, the emissions embedded in construction materials like concrete, steel, drywall, and insulation are often overlooked. These materials contribute substantial industrial emissions, with a single home’s construction potentially locking in emissions equivalent to decades of car travel. Given the scale of housing needed by 2030, ignoring these emissions could undermine national climate targets. Fortunately, cleaner, low-emission alternatives for key construction materials are already available at little to no additional cost. A report by Clean Energy Canada highlights that options such as low-emission drywall and insulation can reduce emissions by up to 98% without price premiums, and cleaner steel and concrete alternatives often come at negligible extra cost. Even when slight cost increases occur, they are minimal relative to overall project budgets. Prioritizing these materials supports Canadian producers, who benefit from a cleaner electricity grid and innovation, and aligns with government strategies like the “Buy Clean” approach, which mandates emissions reductions in publicly funded projects. Additionally, more efficient building designs that reduce material use can cut emissions by up to 40%, offering further savings in cost and carbon footprint. The article concludes that building affordable, climate-friendly housing with Canadian materials is both feasible and economically sensible.