Canada is facing the prospect of serious impacts from climate change. Already, the country is warming twice as fast as the global average – and three times as fast in the North. This warming is making events that threaten the safety and wellbeing of those living in Canada more frequent and more intense.

The federal government is considering making it a requirement for anyone who sells a newly built or pre-existing home in Canada to have an EnerGuide label for that home at the time of sale. Currently, EnerGuide labels are voluntary, but as part of the Canada Greener Homes Grant Initiative, they are exceptionally popular with Canadian homeowners, with some waiting up to a year to obtain the EnerGuide evaluation needed to obtain a label.

Given the highly globalised nature of the world economy, trade can play an important role in driving the circular economy transition. This is particularly important for a natural resource producing and exporting nation like Canada.