Manitoba Builds Green

The report argues that Manitoba requires a massive, publicly led effort to implement deep energy retrofits (DERs)—defined as improvements reducing energy use by at least 50%—to meet 2050 net-zero targets. It estimates that 200,000 home retrofits are needed, requiring an annual investment of CAD 1.2 billion. The authors propose the creation of a Manitoba Green Bank to provide low- or no-interest financing and the adoption of a retrofit code by 2025. The strategy emphasizes a 'just transition' by prioritizing low-income renters and utilizing social enterprises to train underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous Peoples, for the thousands of green jobs expected to be created.

• To achieve net-zero in Manitoba's building sector by 2050, approximately 200,000 home retrofits are required, averaging 8,000 homes per year. This would necessitate an estimated annual investment of CAD 1.2 billion, totaling CAD 30 billion over 25 years, based on an average cost of CAD 150,000 per home.
• Deep energy retrofits (DERs) are defined as changes to building infrastructure that improve energy efficiency by at least 50%. In Manitoba, these are critical because the province has the oldest housing stock in Canada, with 16% of homes built before 1946.
• The report argues that a market-led approach to energy-efficiency incentives is insufficient. It recommends the establishment of a Manitoba Green Bank to provide long-term, patient, low- or no-interest financing, as private lenders are unlikely to engage due to the long amortization periods and negative discounted net present values of DER loans.
• Public investment in building retrofits is projected to have high economic multipliers. An annual investment of CAD 800 million in Manitoba is estimated to produce CAD 1.7 billion in provincial GDP and 7,100 job years every year.
• The report identifies a critical need for workforce development to avoid skill shortages, noting that 9,100 workers (about 20% of Manitoba's construction workforce) are expected to retire by 2033. It suggests partnering with social enterprises and First Nations to train underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, and newcomers.
• Current building codes in Manitoba are described as regressive, having returned to Tier 1 standards. The report recommends immediately adopting at least Tier 3 building codes for residential buildings and expediting the adoption of a retrofit code by 2025, including a ban on natural gas heating.
• To create market signals and value for energy efficiency, the report recommends introducing mandatory energy labelling for buildings, particularly during home sales, as no Canadian jurisdiction has yet mandated this.
• Ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology is highlighted as a key complement to DERs in Manitoba. Converting electric-resistance heat homes to geothermal can reduce peak load on the grid by roughly 7-8 KW per home, potentially saving hundreds of megawatts in aggregate.

APA

Rempel, Z., Harney, N., Hudson, M., Cameron, L., & Aubin, Z. S. (2024). Manitoba Builds Green. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/manitoba-builds-green.pdf

Chicago

Rempel, Zachary, Niall Harney, Mark Hudson, Laura Cameron, and Zoe St. Aubin. Manitoba Builds Green. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/manitoba-builds-green.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rempel |first1=Zachary |last2=Harney |first2=Niall |last3=Hudson |first3=Mark |last4=Cameron |first4=Laura |last5=Aubin |first5=Zoe St. |title=Manitoba Builds Green |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=September 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/manitoba-builds-green.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rempel2024manitoba, author = {Rempel, Zachary and Harney, Niall and Hudson, Mark and Cameron, Laura and Aubin, Zoe St.}, title = {{Manitoba Builds Green}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/manitoba-builds-green.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }