The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada pointed
out today that while with great fanfare the Federal Government publicly
issues announcements about funding energy efficiency, it quietly cuts
programs...
As evidence RAIC points to the recent announcement on the Natural Resources
Canada web site indicating that all funding for the Commercial Building
Incentive Program (CBIP) for New Buildings is now fully subscribed. The
notice was posted January 21 2007.




"A radical statement so early in the year. Even more stunning considering
recent announcements," said RAIC President Vivian Manasc, FRAIC. "Canada's
Architects are disappointed. The built environment accounts for almost half
of all greenhouse gas emissions. Considering that Architects across Canada
have between $40 to $50 billion worth of projects 'on the Boards', and that
buildings last for 50 to 100 years, the Government's lack of real commitment
is appalling. We think it is time they got serious and raised rather than
eliminated incentives to increasing energy efficiency."



The RAIC is commited to reducing greenhouse gases and in November 2006
became part of the 2030 Challenge, a global initiative officially which
calls for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their
fossil-fuel greenhouse gas-emitting energy consumption by 50 per cent
immediately, increasing this reduction to 60 per cent in 2010, 70 per cent
in 2015, 80 per cent in 2020, 90 per cent in 2025, and finally, that all new
buildings be carbon neutral by 2030.





"That would mean that by 2030 the construction and operation of buildings
will no longer require the consumption of fossil fuel energy or emit
greenhouse gases," says Manasc.





Architects know that buildings can be designed to operate with far less
energy than today's average - at little or no additional cost. This can be
accomplished through proper siting, building form, glass properties and
window location, material selection and by incorporating natural heating,
cooling and ventilation and day-lighting strategies.





The RAIC is in good company joining the American Institute of Architects,
the US Green Building Council, the US Conference of Mayors, and American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers in
supporting this urgent mandate for a carbon neutral built-environment by
2030.





The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a voluntary national
association established in 1907 as the voice for architecture and its
practice in Canada. Representing more than 3,500 architects, the RAIC
provides the national framework for the development and recognition of
architectural excellence.