MEDIA ADVISORY
ReCover Initiative rolls out $17.5 Million Accelerator Program with Provincial Events
Advancing the scalability of deep retrofits in Atlantic Canada
October 15, 2024 – Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS – The government of Canada recently awarded the ReCover Initiative, a non-profit serving Atlantic Canada, $17.5 million to accelerate the deep retrofitting of existing buildings in Atlantic Canada. ReCover will be launching the Atlantic Canada Deep Retrofit Accelerator in all four Atlantic Canada provinces between October and November 2024.
Roughly an estimated 41,000 residential units and 2 million square meters of commercial space in Atlantic Canada require retrofitting by 2040 to meet targets according to a report from the Atlantic Economic Council, earlier this year. Examples of these deep retrofits and more sustainable re-purposing of existing structures can be seen in all four Atlantic Provinces. These include eco-friendly upgrades at the Charlottetown Confederation Centre, numerous office space conversions to residential apartments in Halifax, and the New Brunswick Green Buildings program. ReCover aims to support and leverage this movement toward deep retrofits through an upcoming series of information sessions.
The launch events will introduce the ReCover Initiative team and the plan to sustainably scale deep retrofits in Atlantic Canada to reduce emissions, enhance the quality of life for Canadians, and safeguard the environment.
WHY:
Buildings are significant emitters of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in Canada. In Atlantic Canada, provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are sources of about 10.7% percent of the region’s emissions, excluding electricity. Deep retrofitting existing buildings is a critical step to reducing GHG emissions from buildings by up to 80 percent.
Atlantic Canada has the highest percentage of households in energy poverty, spending between 10.7% to 13.7% of their after-tax income on energy bills. Deep retrofitting buildings can help building residents achieve energy savings of up to 70 percent or more.
Poor building conditions can exacerbate the vulnerability of residents, especially for residents with existing health conditions. Deep retrofits improve the living conditions of buildings such as improving indoor air quality and providing protection from extreme temperatures. Thus, contributing to the health of residents.
As an intervention to combat climate change, deep retrofits not only reduce GHG but improve the resilience of buildings against climate change.
Deep retrofits have the potential to create jobs and grow the economy in Canada. According to a study by the Pembina Institute, scaling deep retrofits in Atlantic Canada can increase job creation by more than 14,000 and annual GDP growth by up to $3.5 billion.
DATES:
Nova Scotia: October 16
Prince Edward Island: October 18
New Brunswick: October 22
Newfoundland and Labrador: Nov 6
TIME:
3:15 PM – 5:30 PM in all provinces
LOCATIONS:
Nova Scotia: Harbourfront Marriot. 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 3J5
Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Delta. 18 Queen St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4A1
New Brunswick: Hotel Beausejour. 750 Main St, Moncton, NB E1C 1E6
Newfoundland & Labrador: Hotel Inn St Johns. 180 Portugal Cove Rd, St. John's, NL A1B 2N2
Co-Founder and Executive Director of the ReCover Initiative, Emma Norton, will be present at each session along with panel participants from each of the four Atlantic Provinces.
About The ReCover Initiative
The ReCover Initiative is a non-profit serving Atlantic Canada. We believe the greenest building is the one that already exists. We aim to develop retrofit solutions that respond to the climate crisis at speed and scale through research and development, programs and services to building owners, and capacity-building activities for industry.
ReCover guides building owners commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) through their deep retrofit projects, including identification of financial incentives.
We undertake research and product development to enable standardization in the deep retrofit industry to improve efficiency and sustainability. Recognizing the need for capacity building in the deep retrofit industry, we create opportunities to transfer and share knowledge on planning and implementing deep retrofits with existing industry partners, youth, and underrepresented communities.
We collaborate with Indigenous communities and equity-deserving groups, including African Nova Scotians, to promote deep retrofits and address socio-economic disparities in these communities.
Media Contact
Yvonne Ekpe
Communications Specialist
1 902-706-7536
Website: