Canada's Voluntary Industrial Energy Conservation Program

Abstract

Industrial Energy Conservation in Canada is organized and promoted through a voluntary program that is administered by industry. Industry is divided into fifteen sectors, each of which is represented by a Voluntary Task Force. Information exchange, goal setting and progress reporting are carried on through these Task Forces which are staffed with industrial volunteers and representatives from the major trade associations. Inter-industry liaison is accomplished via a Coordinating Committee comprised of the individual Task Force Chairmen and representatives of the federal government. While the program has been in existence only since 1976, impressive gains have already been made and targets have been set for 1980 and 1985. The strength of the program lies in its candid cooperation between industry and government. There has, to date, been no need or advantage to implementing a government mandated program for industrial energy conservation in Canada.