The length of time for the savings to be fully offset is driven primarily by the efficiency differential and the carbon intensity of the grid. [...] Where the graph intersects the x-axis, it indicates the year in which the emissions avoided in the conversion are fully offset, and therefore the conversion project begins to have a net negative carbon impact on a cumulative basis. [...] If the graph does not cross the x-axis, the embedded emissions are not fully offset, so the re-use project would result in a net carbon reduction over the life of the building, and a new build would have a net carbon increase. [...] Increasing the efficiency of the converted building to 15% better than the median doubles the time to the offset of emissions from 21 to 42 years, and achieving 20% could see a net carbon reduction over the project life. [...] While there is slightly less overlap between the ranges than in the Heritage type, the overarching story remains consistent: the more carbon- intense the grid, the higher the need to improve efficiency in conversion projects.
- Pages
- 11
- Published in
- Canada
