Resources Listing

This report emphasizes that retrofits create many local jobs, stimulate economic activity, and use local materials, while also improving housing affordability, health, and reducing emissions.  It recommends actions such as increasing incentives for deep retrofits, upgrading social housing and public buildings, and expanding workforce training, emphasizing that investments should focus on equitable, long‑term, and large‑scale…

This Briefing Note explains how local governments can play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, which make up a significant share of community emissions. It outlines five key policy tools to support building energy retrofits and emissions reductions: home energy labelling, PACE/LIC financing, regulations for new and existing buildings, and…

The Efficiency Canada “Climate Retrofit Mission” report argues that Canada needs a large-scale, coordinated effort to retrofit buildings in order to meet climate goals. It explains that current approaches are too slow and fragmented, and proposes a “mission-oriented” strategy to transform the retrofit market—scaling up innovations, reducing costs, and accelerating upgrades across the country.

The Clean Air Partnership LIC Toolkit explains how municipalities can use Local Improvement Charge (LIC) financing (also called PACE) to support energy‑efficiency retrofits in homes. It shows how these programs work by covering the upfront costs of retrofits through loans that are repaid over time via property taxes, making upgrades more affordable for homeowners.

This Pembina report summary outlines a nationwide plan to retrofit buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support economic growth.

This report explains how governments and organizations can analyze rental housing markets, engage communities, and design policies and programs that reduce energy use while maintaining affordability. It also highlights common challenges, such as high energy costs for renters and limited control over building upgrades, and recommends solutions like protecting tenants, improving existing buildings, and expanding…

The “Make The Switch” literature review examines research on the costs and performance of home heating systems, particularly comparing natural gas systems with electric heat pumps. It finds that there are limited and often outdated studies directly comparing operating costs, so the review also looks at tools, case studies, and communication materials to fill the gaps.

The City of Vancouver enlisted Sentis to gather feedback from residents on various components of its Climate Emergency Action Plan. As part of this multi-phase research program, Sentis worked with the City to gauge initial reactions on the Green Home Retrofit Program.

The BC Non-Profit Housing Association’s Retrofit Coaching service helps housing providers plan and complete energy‑efficient building upgrades. It offers step‑by‑step guidance through the entire retrofit process, including working with contractors, selecting equipment, and accessing funding and rebates.

This page highlights key actions such as switching to zero‑emission heating systems, scaling up deep retrofits, improving financing options, and reducing barriers to technologies like heat pumps.