Energy and the Built Environment: Reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing our resilience to climate change

This June 2014 consultation background paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), outlines the framework for updating Manitoba's climate change and green economy plans. It focuses specifically on the built environment and energy sectors, detailing the province's current emissions profile, the role of clean energy exports, and the need to integrate adaptation and mitigation strategies to enhance resilience against extreme weather events.

• Manitoba failed to meet its 2012 target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels, although emissions at the end of 2012 were 500 kilotonnes (kt) lower than they were in 2000.
• The majority of Manitoba's GHG reductions were achieved through the energy sector, specifically via the ethanol mandate (410 kt), regulations on Manitoba Hydro’s last coal-fired facility (343 kt), and Power Smart programs (140 kt).
• Manitoba's energy profile is characterized by a high proportion of clean energy, with approximately 98 per cent of locally generated electricity coming from renewable sources.
• The agriculture sector is the second-largest contributor to provincial GHG emissions in Manitoba, a proportion that is unique compared to other provinces; in only two other provinces does agriculture exceed 10 per cent of emissions, and none approach 20 per cent.
• Manitoba contributes to North American GHG mitigation by exporting hydroelectricity, which allows other jurisdictions to replace coal and natural gas-fired electricity. In 2012, these exports contributed to 6,300 kt of GHG reductions outside the province.
• The built environment and energy infrastructure are vulnerable to extreme climate events, such as floods and ice storms, which threaten the well-being of communities and the ability to transmit energy.
• Manitoba intends to develop regulations for mandatory GHG reporting for large emitters, noting that federal requirements under The Canadian Environmental Protection Act apply to industrial emitters producing 50,000 tonnes or more per year.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Energy and the Built Environment: Reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing our resilience to climate change. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tomorrow-now-manitoba-green-plan-consultation-paper-built-environment.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Energy and the Built Environment: Reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing our resilience to climate change. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tomorrow-now-manitoba-green-plan-consultation-paper-built-environment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Energy and the Built Environment: Reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing our resilience to climate change |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tomorrow-now-manitoba-green-plan-consultation-paper-built-environment.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndenergy, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Energy and the Built Environment: Reducing emissions, improving efficiency and enhancing our resilience to climate change}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/tomorrow-now-manitoba-green-plan-consultation-paper-built-environment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }