Regina’s Energy & Sustainability Framework outlines a dynamic and living plan for the community to mitigate climate change by cutting emissions, reducing energy consumption and shifting to renewable or low-carbon energy sources.
Video Transcript
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| Each one of us has a part to play in making a more sustainable future. We've got a goal to make Regina a renewable city by 2050, and it's time to take action. |
Sophia Young (Community Advisory Group Member) on screen in front of white backdrop Moving Aerial landscape shot of park Moving Aerial shot of football field Ground up shot of trees and sky |
| To reach our goals, we need to make big moves and we need to be prepared for some hard work. |
Shannon Zachidniak (City Councillor, Ward 8) on screen in front of white backdrop Moving shot of field and sky with dark clouds |
| We have to switch to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal wherever and whenever we can. We must reduce our community's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. |
Greg Kuntz (Manager, Energy & Sustainability Solutions City of Regina) on screen in front of white backdrop Moving shot of solar panels in a field Moving shot of wind turbines in a field Time Lapse shot of cars on highway heading into City with sunsetting |
| Let's embrace clean industries, electric transportation, and building retrofits that conserve energy. |
Moving shot of Victoria Park with the Twin Towers in the background Shot of hand plugging electric charger into electric car Thoma Benjoe (President & CEO FHQ Developments) on screen in front of white backdrop |
| We choose to walk instead of drive as often as we can. |
The Bay Family on screen in front of white backdrop (Mom, Dad, and Child) |
| We're switching to more reusable items |
Moving shot of reusable shopping bag |
| And we are always trying to find new ways to be more energy efficient at home. |
Aerial moving shot of houses, one with solar panels on the roof |
| Let's create a community that's sustainable for everyone. |
Sophia Young on screen in front of white backdrop |
| Be involved, make your voice heard, and help us create a renewable Regina |
Moving shot of Wascana Park/Lake with Legislative building in the backdrop |
| A renewable Regina. | Thomas Benjoe on screen in front of white backdrop |
| A renewable Regina. | The Bay Family on screen in front of white backdrop (mom, dad, child) |
| To stay informed and learn more about Regina's 2050 commitments, visit regina.ca/renewable. |
Sophia Young on screen in front of white backdrop To stay informed visit Regina.ca/renewable pops up on screen |
| City of Regina Pneumonic | City of Regina animated logo |
About the Framework
The Framework outlines opportunities available to all sectors of Regina’s community. Following the principle of "reduce, improve, switch”, it underscores the need to reduce energy use where possible and drastically increase energy efficiency before and while transitioning to renewable energy sources
Implementing the Framework’s 31 actions is expected to reduce Regina’s greenhouse gas emissions by 52 per cent by 2030 and reduce energy use by 24 per cent. The transition to renewable energy also provides Regina with opportunity for new industry and employment with an average anticipated net growth of over 4,000 jobs per year. And the recommended actions position Regina for a net return on investment by 2030, with an overall financial return of $12.5 billion by 2050.
Regina’s plan is based on existing and available technology and is consistent with actions in other low emissions climate action plans being implemented across Canada. These actions also factor in federal legislation that will impact consumer markets.
Regina’s Seven “Big Moves”
To achieve the goal of becoming a renewable, net-zero city by 2050, Regina’s Energy & Sustainability Framework identifies seven “Big Moves” to get us there.
1. Building retrofits
Retrofitting is the process of making improvements to an existing building to reduce its carbon emissions and environmental impact. Common retrofit upgrades include more efficient insulation, building envelopes, lighting, HVAC systems, windows and appliances.
What’s the plan?
The Framework recommends a retrofit program to make homes and buildings more energy efficient. Programs designed for building retrofits can be combined with fuel-switching as well as renewable energy programs and initiatives for a greater impact on emissions reductions.
What's the goal?
Retrofit existing buildings to make them 50 per more energy efficient while achieving 10 per cent in electrical savings. (By 2030 for pre-1981 residential; by 2035 for 1981-2016 residential and Industrial Commercial Institutional (ICI).)
Leading by example:
The City will show its commitment to this project by retrofitting its own buildings. Having completed an energy audit of City-owned facilities, work will begin on implementing the recommendations to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. The City will also develop and pilot a Residential Retrofit Rebate program modelled after the federal government’s Greener Homes Grant Program.
2. Clean heating
Buildings can be decarbonized by replacing conventional natural gas furnaces with electric heat pumps. Heat pumps are highly efficient, generating the same heat as natural gas systems with a fraction of the input energy.
What’s the plan?
The Framework recommends a fuel switching program that includes the installation of air- or ground-source heat pumps and electric water heaters. This program would increase energy efficiency in homes and buildings, decrease energy costs and enable emissions reductions as Regina’s power grid infrastructure becomes renewable.
What's the goal?
To add heat pumps and electric water heaters to 100 per cent of buildings when current systems reach end of life and to all new building construction. This is an especially impactful change when combined with renewable energy sources and building retrofits.
Leading by example:
The City will show its commitment to this project by installing heat pumps in City buildings and reporting to residents on performance. The City will also make resources available to learn the benefits and feasibility of heat pumps in a cold climate.
3. Net-zero new construction
Net Zero Energy (NZE) describes a building that uses an enhanced building envelope, solar orientation, and high-efficiency equipment to produce as much clean energy as it uses over the course of a year. All provinces have agreed to adopt the federal Net-Zero Energy-Ready (NZER) Building Code for new residential builds by 2030.
What’s the plan?
Every building that is constructed to a NZE standard is a building that doesn’t need to be retrofitted in the future. The City can use existing mechanisms to stimulate net-zero new construction.
What's the goal?
To increase the percentage of new buildings constructed to net-zero standards to 50 per cent by 2026 and to 100 per cent by 2030. All new commercial and industrial buildings will be NZER by 2030, according to the progressive tiers of the National Energy Code for Buildings.
Leading by example:
The City can help to stimulate NZE neighbourhoods by reducing regulations, providing financial incentives, or acting as a developer. Low-income and/or social housing can be a major focus of these types of projects. The City will assist the development community by providing clarity around regulations, policies, and bylaws that will impact the building sector.
4. Renewable energy generation
In tandem with energy efficiency measures, renewable energy can meet much of Regina’s energy needs while decreasing emissions. Renewable energy generation can take many forms, but solar, wind and geothermal are the most feasible solutions for Regina.
What’s the plan?
Regina is among the sunniest cities in Canada. The City can harness this abundant natural resource by developing a program to support solar photovoltaic (i.e. solar panels) installations for buildings. The City can also contribute to the creation of solar gardens and wind farms.
What's the goal?
To install solar panels on existing buildings and new construction to generate 50 per cent of the building’s base load, and to build community solar and wind farms for additional generating capacity.
Leading by example:
The City will lead the way by installing solar panels on municipal buildings. Solar panels are planned for Maple Leaf Pool, Wascana Pool and the Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre. The City has used innovation and technology at the Landfill to turn methane gas into power and at the Wasterwater Treatment Plant to offset natural gas usage. This demonstrates the City’s commitment to renewable energy generation and allows the City to report publicly on feasibility, cost and outcomes. The City will explore opportunities for partnerships to develop large scale solar and wind installations.
5. Low-emissions vehicles
The future of the automotive industry is electric vehicles. The federal government has set a target for all personal and light-duty vehicle sales to be electric by 2035. The City needs to develop and implement a strategy to meet this goal.
What’s the plan?
Most residents need to drive to get to work, run errands and access different parts of the city. By replacing conventional gas and diesel vehicles with electric, the City can significantly reduce its carbon emissions. The City can partner with stakeholders to install a network of electric vehicle charging stations and promote awareness about the feasibility of electric vehicles in cold-weather climates.
What's the goal?
To reach a target of 80 per cent of new vehicle purchases being electric by 2025, growing to 100 per cent by 2030.
Leading by example:
The City has many initiatives planned to reduce vehicle emissions. Using telematics technology, data will be used to perform both vehicle and route optimization to reduce fleet size and fuel usage. By 2030, all light-duty City vehicles purchased will be electric and City transit buses will begin to be electrified in 2024. For medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the City will explore options such as electric or hydrogen-fueled or using renewable diesel as a transition fuel.
6. Increase active transportation and transit use
Active transportation refers to walking, cycling and transit use. By increasing these methods of transportation and reducing vehicle trips, emissions can be reduced. Walking and cycling also contribute to health and community well-being while being a key part of creating a community that is less reliant on vehicles to get around.
What’s the plan?
The City will introduce programs and initiatives that support public transit and active modes of transportation.
What's the goal?
Transit will account for 25 per cent of transportation by 2025. By 2050, active transportation methods will account for 50 per cent of all short trips.
Leading by example:
City employees will be encouraged to use active transportation and transit for their work commute.
7. Clean and re-energize industry
Under current conditions, the industrial sector is responsible for roughly one-third of Regina’s emissions until 2050. By improving process efficiency and transitioning to alternative fuels, the sector can help reduce the City’s overall emissions.
What’s the plan?
Industrial process improvements will increase energy efficiency, while shifting away from natural gas to hydrogen and renewable natural gas will cut down on emissions.
What's the goal?
To increase energy efficiency by 30 per cent and electrify 50 per cent of process heat by 2050. Primary industry will reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Leading by example:
The City will facilitate advancement in this area by hosting working groups, sharing best practices and publicly showing support for initiatives. The City will bring together industry stakeholders and low-emissions energy providers to determine pilots and paths forward to decarbonize industry.
What is a Renewable City?
A renewable city is one whose annual energy consumption is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy generated or sourced in alternative to non-renewable energy sources.
Becoming a Renewable City – Regina’s Energy Inventory
Globally, cities are responsible for an estimated 75 per cent of energy consumption and an equivalent share of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the largest number of jurisdictions to have adopted a 100 per cent renewable target are municipalities. A few cities, such as Reykjavik and Burlington, Vermont have already achieved that goal in at least one sector.
Many other larger global cities have adopted a 100 per cent renewable energy goal in one or more of the electricity, heating and cooling, or transportation sectors. Some of these cities include Vancouver, Munich, Sydney, Hamburg, San Francisco, Barcelona, San Diego, and Malmö.
Developing Regina's Energy & Sustainability Framework
What does the Energy & Sustainability Framework include?
The Framework identifies seven ‘Big Moves’ and 31 related actions that are needed to achieve Regina’s goal of becoming renewable by 2050. The seven Big Moves are:
- Retrofitting existing buildings
- Net-zero new construction
- Fuel switching our heating
- Renewable energy generation
- Reducing vehicle emissions
- Increasing active transportation and transit use
- Cleaning and re-energizing industry.
These actions support global climate change mitigation targets to prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050.
What will Regina residents be asked to do? How much will it cost?
The Framework is ambitious and requires sustained effort from the City of Regina, residents and all sectors of the community.
The City will be assessing municipal contributions through its budget processes and Council resolution, based on priorities. In anticipation of the Framework’s release, the City made strategic investments of $6 million in 2022 to advance municipal actions on the “low-carbon pathway”.
What has the City of Regina done to reduce its carbon emissions?
The City’s Landfill Gas to Energy Facility, completed in 2016, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 30,000 tonnes per year, or the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off the road.
Another notable source of carbon reduction is the City’s urban forest. By maintaining a healthy tree canopy and continually adding to the number of trees in Regina, the City supports natural energy conversion. In 2020, the amount of carbon absorbed by our almost 179,000 City-owned trees reduced our municipal GHG emissions by 6 per cent. It is estimated that Regina’s urban forest is responsible for removing the CO2 equivalent of 3,330 mid-sized vehicles.
Also, Regina has been participating in an on-demand transit pilot project as part of an Innovation Challenge hosted by Innovation Saskatchewan. By not following a fixed route, the City is able to expand service coverage while still reducing the amount of fuel used by almost 15,000 litres. This will give an overall reduction of about 40 tonnes of GHG over the length of the trial.
What does it mean to be 100 per cent renewable? What other cities have achieved this or committed to achieving it?
To be a renewable, net-zero city means that all electrification, heating and cooling, as well as transportation are powered from renewable energy or are offset by a reduction in emissions to achieve a net-zero increase in carbon released into the atmosphere. Several Canadian cities have declared that they will be 100 per cent renewable by 2050. These include Saskatoon, Halifax, Vancouver, Guelph, and Charlottetown.
This framework is very ambitious. Is it a realistic plan?
For the Framework to be successful, we know that it starts with us as a municipality. The actions in the Framework are all achievable using existing, available, and proven technology. Waiting to implement changes based on future technologies will not reduce emissions enough to meet Regina’s objectives. These actions are consistent with those approved in plans across Canada, including Saskatoon and other cities and aligns with federal legislation that will impact consumer markets.
It should also be noted that the cost of not moving toward more sustainable sources of energy will increase as well since the federal government has recently announced plans to increase the carbon tax.
Why was this pathway chosen rather than a less aggressive path?
The recommended Framework creates the best possible economic and equity opportunities for the community; balances the need to minimize the negative effects of climate change; and optimizes Regina’s competitive advantage in relation to other Canadian cities. It also aligns closely with recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
What will it cost the City to implement all 31 actions in the Framework?
The Energy & Sustainability Framework identifies a cumulative community capital investment in low-carbon actions. By 2050, the Framework estimates an investment of $11.5 billion and a cumulative net return of $12.5 billion. The net return by 2100 will be $18.7 billion.
Implementation will include actively pursuing new funding opportunities, financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships that can leverage additional funds and find efficiencies across multiple actions and based on data evidence.
How many Regina jobs will be gained as a result of switching to renewable energy?
Regina has tremendous opportunity for new industry and employment in the transition to renewable energy and the green economy. Overall, implementation of the Framework is expected to generate over 123,000 person-years of employment between now and 2050. This is equivalent to more than 4,000 full-time jobs per year existing in the community, beyond job projections in the business-as-planned scenario.
How did you decide on the Big Moves?
The Big Moves were determined through an interactive technical and community engagement process. Understanding Regina’s current energy and emissions profile including where and how energy is used in the community laid the foundation for understanding where intervention would be necessary, while community engagement influenced how to intervene in a way that would work for Regina.
Why aren’t you suggesting reaching the target sooner?
Moving to 100% renewable energy requires phasing out fossil fuel consumption. To achieve this sooner, it would be necessary to rapidly remove gasoline and diesel vehicles from the road and prohibit new fossil-powered vehicle purchases. A similar approach would be required for natural gas furnaces as a supply of renewable natural gas to meet current usage is not available in Regina. The rate at which the community can replace this equipment and fuel with clean alternatives is a major constraint that limits our ability to achieve the target earlier. There is also a significant industrial presence in Regina. Major industrial emitters largely have or are developing decarbonization plans with 2050 net-zero targets but the municipality does not have the authority to dictate their targets or pathways, including interim goals.
What assumptions were included in the energy and emissions modelling?
The modelling includes assumptions on future population growth, future energy costs and future patterns of activities. The approach to exploring future dynamics is addressed in the Data, Methods and Assumptions Manual.
