Ottawa, Canada - The annual report from the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) shows that in 2004, Canadian industry used less energy and generated fewer emissions to produce more goods.

As reported in the CIPEC Annual Report 2006: Delivering Results, Canadian industry improved energy intensity by 2.6 percent and cut emissions by 1.8 percent in 2004 – the latest year for which data is available.

“Energy efficiency and the environment are getting near the top of the agenda in boardrooms across Canada, and these results are the clearest indication that this is the case,” says Doug Speers, chair of Emco Corporation and chair of the CIPEC Executive Board. “From a corporate standpoint, energy efficiency makes sense. Industry leaders are concerned about emissions and are convinced of the competitive advantage that comes with better energy management.”

The report, which documents trends in industrial energy efficiency since 1990, also shows that Canadian industry has been improving energy efficiency over the last decade.

From 1990 to 2004, CIPEC’s industrial sectors improved energy intensity by 9.1 percent. If energy intensity had remained constant rather than declined by 0.7 percent per year, greenhouse gas emissions would have been 29.5 megatonnes higher in 2004.

Along with examining the energy efficiency performance for 27 of Canada’s industrial sectors, the report shows industry successes. Forty-three stories highlight the achievements of Industrial Energy Innovators – a group of companies that have made energy efficiency a priority.

Administered through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), CIPEC is a voluntary partnership between government and industry for improving Canada’s industrial energy efficiency. CIPEC accounts for over 98 percent of industrial activity in Canada and works collaboratively with 52 industry associations. In 2004, combined CIPEC companies contributed $303 billion to the Canadian economy and saved close to $3.1 billion in energy costs as a result of better energy management.

The full report will be available shortly at www.cipec.ca.

Source: Natural Resources Canada .