Dear Editor:

Re: 91原创 company making Passive House windows (91原创 Advance, June 14, 2017)

Growing awareness of the need to reduce carbon pollution and use energy wisely and efficiently in our homes and buildings represents a golden opportunity. The energy used for heating, air conditioning, hot water, appliances, equipment, and lighting is responsible for 124 million tonnes of carbon pollution per year in Canada, or 20 per cent of our country鈥檚 annual emissions.

Fortunately, the shift to low-carbon, low-energy buildings is already underway. Along the way, this is generating growth in goods and services that has created almost 300,000 jobs Canada-wide. In terms of direct jobs, the green-building sector employs more Canadians than oil and gas, mining, and forestry combined.

A 2014 report produced for Natural Resources Canada points out investing $1 in energy-efficiency programs returns $3 to $5 to the economy. Seizing the opportunity of low-emission homes and buildings will spur innovation and demonstrate the benefits of clean economic growth in Canada鈥檚 vibrant real-estate sector.

Karen Tam Wu, B.C. associate director, Pembina Institute