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 made by the International Energy Agency.
Energy intensity and efficiency trends from 2000 to 2020
Total economy key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2020:
- Energy efficiency improved 12.8%, saving Canadians 846.6 PJ in energy and $20.7 billion in costs. Secondary energy use (final energy demand) in Canada increased 9.6%. It would have increased 20.2% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 45.5 Mt in GHG emissions.
- Canada’s energy intensity per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) improved 21.3%.
Residential sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2020:
- Energy efficiency in the residential sector improved 32%, saving Canadians 443 PJ in energy and $8.7 billion in costs – averaging $49 per household per month.
- Residential energy use increased 3.2% in 2020, but it would have increased 35.2% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 17.7 Mt in GHG emissions.
Commercial/institutional sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2020:
- Energy efficiency in the commercial/institutional sector improved 8%, saving Canadians 82.4 PJ in energy and $2.2 billion in costs.
- Commercial/Institutional energy use increased 23% Footnote 1 , but it would have increased 31% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 3.4 Mt in GHG emissions.
Industrial sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2020:
- Energy efficiency in the industrial sector improved by 9.2%, saving Canadian industries 209.4 PJ in energy, $2.5 billion in associated costs.
- Industrial energy use decreased 21.9%, but it would have decreased only 14.0% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 9.9 Mt in GHG emissions.
Transportation sector key highlights
As a result of energy efficiency improvements since 2000, in 2020:
- Energy efficiency in the transportation sector improved 19%, saving Canadians 417.3 PJ in energy and $11.0 billion in costs.
- Energy use in the transportation sector increased 4%. It would have increased 18% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Canadians avoided 28.8 Mt in GHG emissions
- Energy efficiency improved 14%, saving 178.5 PJ in energy and $4.5 billion in costs.
- Passenger transportation energy use decreased 11%, but it would have remained unchanged without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 12.0 Mt in GHG emissions.
- Energy efficiency improved 26%, saving 238.7 PJ in energy and $6.5 billion in costs.
- Freight transportation energy use increased 22%, but it would have increased 48% without energy efficiency improvements.
- Energy efficiency helped avoid 16.9 Mt in GHG emissions.
Passenger transportation
Freight transportation