Energy Efficiency Trends in Canada
A comprehensive summary of secondary energy use and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada
The Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada has changed the base year from 1990 to 2000. This change was made to ensure that our data reflects developments in trends and structures of Canada’s energy end use and efficiency across sectors. It also synchronizes reporting on Canada’s energy use data with changes recently made by the International Energy Agency.
Energy intensity and efficiency trends from 2000 to 2019
Total economy key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2019:
- Energy efficiency improved 12.3%, saving Canadians 814.7 PJ in energy and $23.2 billion in costs in 2019. Secondary energy use (final energy demand) in Canada increased 20.4%. It would have increased 30.5% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 45.7 Mt in GHG emissions in 2019.
- Canada’s energy intensity per unit of GDP improved 17.7%.
Residential sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2019:
- Energy efficiency in the residential sector improved 32%, saving Canadians 440 PJ in energy and $8.5 billion in costs in 2019 – averaging $47/household per month.
- Residential energy use increased 11.0% in 2019, but it would have increased 42.7% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 18.1 Mt in GHG emissions in 2019.
Commercial/institutional sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2019:
- Energy efficiency in the commercial/institutional sector improved by almost 13%, saving Canadians 124.2 PJ and $3.2 billion in costs in 2019.
- Commercial/Institutional energy use increased by almost 22%Footnote 1 but it would have increased by 34% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 5.2 Mt in GHG emissions.
Industrial sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2019:
- Energy efficiency in the industrial sector improved by 5.2%, saving Canadian industries 137.2 PJ in energy and $1.5 billion in associated costs in 2019.
- Industrial energy use decreased 14.6%, but it would have only decreased 9.4% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 5.6 Mt in GHG emissions.
Transportation sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2019:
- Energy efficiency in the transportation sector improved 23%, saving Canadians 488.6 PJ in energy and $14.2 billion in costs in 2019.
- Transportation energy use increased 26%. More cars and trucks on the roads and greater freight mileage contributed to increased energy use in this sector.
- Energy efficiency improved 21%, saving 263.3 PJ in energy and $7.0 billion in costs in 2019.
- Passenger transportation energy use increased 19%, but it would have increased 40% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 17.8 Mt in GHG emissions in 2019.
- Energy efficiency improved 25%, saving 225.3 PJ in energy and $7.2 billion in costs in 2019.
- Freight transportation energy use increased 34%, but it would have increased 59% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 15.9 Mt in GHG emissions in 2019.
Passenger transportation
Freight transportation