Over $1.6 million investment announced to help Carleton University build sustainable future

Carleton University is going to receive over $1.6 million from the federal government, as part of its initiative to encourage businesses and institutions across the country to support the economy through lower-cost, clean-energy technologies, including renewable power and energy efficiency upgrades.

The funding is part of the Decarbonization Incentive Program. It was announced Thursday by Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi, on behalf Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.

“Investing in clean energy solutions is key to building a sustainable future. This funding will help Carleton University transition to an electric boiler, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65 per cent and advancing Canada’s commitment to a greener, more resilient future for generations to come,” said Naqvi.

It will be applied towards replacing a natural gas steam boiler with an electric one in the central heating plant inside the university, said the federal government in a release.

“Carleton University is committed to a sustainable future and will continue to drive research on emission reductions and the use of innovative technologies,” said Wisdom Tettey, Carleton University president.

“We are grateful to our federal government partners for their ongoing support in advancing our sustainability goals and their commitment to reducing greenhouse gases. Their collaboration has been instrumental in upgrading our 1960s boiler, which will significantly reduce nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions, helping combat air pollution.”

Over 2,900 tonnes of emissions are expected to be cut by 2030 by the government’s project, which is equivalent to taking 888 gas-powered cars off the road for a year, reads the release.

The federal government remains committed to addressing climate change by creating “a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Canada for everyone,” said Guilbeault in the release.

Canada’s emissions were projected to increase by 9 per cent by 2030 when they were compared to 2005 levels in 2015. The emission intensity for the Canadian economy fell by 30 per cent between 2005 and 2022.