The May 28, 2023, White Paper, authored by John Stackhouse and Luigi Ferrara for the RBC Climate Action Institute, delineates the economic prospects associated with constructing new homes sustainably. It envisions Canada leading the charge into a greener era characterized by innovative building materials, intelligent building systems, and the swift adoption of low-carbon heating and cooling technologies. Acknowledging the broader scope, the paper emphasizes the necessity of establishing new supply chains, nurturing skilled workforces, and notably, fostering a retrofit economy to facilitate this transition. The paper serves as a guiding resource, aiming to enlighten and motivate Canadians to recognize both the pressing urgency and the burgeoning opportunities that accompany the movement towards more sustainable buildings. It encourages stakeholders to embrace the imperative for sustainable construction while highlighting the promising prospects inherent in this shift.
Keywords: Climate Change, Energy Efficiency/Management, Healthy Buildings, HVAC & Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Intelligent Building, Internet of Things (IoT), Renewable Energy, Zero Net Energy, Smart Home, Supply Chain