By 2030 we want our greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions to be 30 per cent below 2010 levels. Improving building energy efficiency is a critical part of our action plan to meet this goal.
We conduct energy assessments in Yukon government buildings to identify ways to reduce:
- energy use; and
- GHG emissions.
We sift through hundreds of energy conservation measures every year to pick out the best ones with the greatest impact. Each energy retrofit project has varying costs and benefits. So, how do we decide which projects are worth doing, and which ones are not?
We rank retrofit projects with a scoring system based on our 5 pillars.
Each pillar has a maximum score of 3, resulting in a total possible score of 15. This score represents each project’s anticipated impact according to the branch goals. The higher the score, the more it contributes towards our climate change goals.
Climate change impacts
For this pillar, we calculate each project’s anticipated:
- emissions reduction (in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, or CO2e); and
- abatement cost (the cost to reduce 1 tonne of CO2e).
This pillar also considers how the project could improve the building’s resiliency to climate change. Projects can achieve a higher score by demonstrating how they:
- significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- improve resiliency to climate change.
Reliable operations
For this pillar, we consider how the project improves the operability of the building. The systems we choose must be both efficient and reliable to sustain energy savings. Projects can achieve a higher score if they:
- resolve pre-existing maintenance challenges; and
- improve the overall health of the building.
A project may score lower if it does not have supporting infrastructure. This could include service contractors and local expertise.
Value for taxpayer dollars
Value for taxpayer dollars is important. For this pillar, we review the:
- project cost; and
- anticipated savings of each project.
We do so with industry-standard financial metrics such as:
- payback period;
- net present value (NPV); and
- equivalent annual cost (EAC).
These metrics help us compare the financial benefits for each project. Projects that have a proven business case are given a higher score.
Local economic benefits
For this pillar, we evaluate the likelihood that a local market can support the project. We view a project more favourably and give it a higher score if it relies on services available in the Yukon. We give a project a lower score if it relies on imported expertise.
Leadership and excellence
For this pillar, we look at how each project demonstrates leadership and excellence through innovation and collaboration. This includes:
- innovative projects with technologies not commonly used in a northern context; or
- collaborative projects with communities and First Nation governments.
We give a higher score to a project that:
- tries something new; and
- pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the Yukon.
The bigger picture
This project is related to the following actions in Our Clean Future:
H1
Conduct retrofits to Government of Yukon buildings to reduce energy use and contribute to a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
H2
Conduct energy assessments of Government of Yukon buildings to identify opportunities for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, with the first period of assessments completed by 2025 and the second period completed by 2030.