FGIA Conference Participants Learn About Canada’s Path to Net-Zero by 2030

FGIA Conference Participants Learn About Canada’s Path to Net-Zero by 2030
Photo source
FGIAonline.org

Date: 30 June 2023

An engineer in the fenestration energy analysis field shared information about Canada’s plans toward achieving net-zero energy by 2030 with participants at the FGIA Summer Conference in Vancouver, BC.

Jeff Baker, President of WESTLab Canada, one of the largest fenestration simulation organizations, gave a presentation entitled, “Fenestration: The Path to 2030 and Beyond.” Baker provided updates on the work done for Natural Resources Canada to review the currently available products that would achieve different performance levels on the path to 2030 net-zero houses, the proposed targets for the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) Tier 5 prescriptive compliance path in the 2025 code and what will be required for different window types to meet these targets.

“There is a market transformation going on in the building codes in Canada,” said Baker. “We are researching how to get to the proposed targets. ENERGY STAR came into Canada with a four-zone map, and now we are one zone in one map.”

Baker added that ENERGY STAR did a lot to push the fenestration industry toward higher-performing products with low U-factors. There is more to come, he said, noting that for 2030, Canada seeks to bring embodied carbon into the code. “As the NBC is working toward net-zero houses for 2030, Natural Resources Canada has challenged the fenestration industry to meet their aspirational goal for windows,” said Baker. “Huge changes are coming in the national and provincial building and energy codes.”

His presentation showed market transformation in this arena, detailing the past, present and future. Market transformation has included the evolution of ENERGY STAR, the Pan Canadian Framework (PCF) on clean growth and climate change, and the National Net-Zero and Climate Resilient by 2050 Buildings Strategy. He also spoke in depth about the role of triple glazed insulated glass units (IGUs) in achieving these goals.

“Per the PCF, by 2025, the aspirational goal is for all residential windows for sale in Canada to meet a U-factor of ≤1.22 W/m2K (0.21 BTU/hr*ft2*F),” said Baker. “And long term, by 2030, they should meet a U-factor of ≤0.82 W/m2K (0.14 BTU/hr*ft2*F).”

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which became law on June 29, 2021, enshrines in legislation Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, said Baker. “The Act ensures transparency and accountability as the government works to deliver on its targets,” he said. “It also requires public participation and independent advice to guide the Government of Canada’s efforts. Net-Zero Emission buildings is a much bigger task than Net-Zero Energy buildings.”

Baker reminded participants to be proactive in this area. “As we move to higher performance standards, people are going to be taking a closer look at what we do,” he said.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.

600450 FGIA Conference Participants Learn About Canada’s Path to Net-Zero by 2030 glassonweb.com

Others also read

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has released an updated version of its widely used water leakage field check specification for non-operable fenestration systems.
FIT Show organisers are thrilled to announce the winners of the FIT Show 2025 Marketing Awards, marking the event’s biggest and most competitive year yet.
FENSTERBAU FRONTALE has a new director with immediate effect: Chiara Sträßner is taking charge of the organization of the world's leading trade fair for windows, doors and facades.
The Glass and Glazing Federation’s (GGF) North West and North Wales regional meeting took place on Tuesday, 8th July, marking an exceptionally busy yet highly productive day.
Program designed for glass fabrication company executives, technical leaders and plant personnel
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has updated a specification describing the use of aerosol foams developed specifically for application with fenestration products.

Add new comment

From industry