Climate change and net-zero buildings were at the forefront of the Canadian federal election. The risk associated with not adopting Zero Carbon Buildings grows with each passing day. CaGBC has taken the lead in driving innovation in zero-carbon design and performance in Canada. Tremendous progress has been made over last three years with projects showcasing innovative strategies, technologies. and products designed to achieve zero-carbon performance and reduce embodied carbon.

This stream will explore innovative designs and approaches, provide an overview of new technologies, products and renewable energy, as well as discuss the policies, programs, and ideas that encourage zero carbon development in Canada. CaGBC’s updated Zero Carbon Building Standard 2.0 along with LEED 4.1. Zero Carbon will be discussed, and attendees will learn from international experts and Canadian leaders to help the industry deliver low-carbon buildings at scale.

Responding and adapting to changing climates is top of mind with governments across Canada as extreme weather events trigger intense forest fires, heavy flooding, damaging winds, and prolonged power outages. It has never been more urgent to shift our attention to the design of resilient buildings, infrastructure, and communities. High-performance, smart, and resilient buildings offer a solution that will lessen the risks associated with climate change by protecting human health and safety while reducing carbon emissions.

This stream will share research on the risks associated with climate change in Canada and offer solutions at the building and neighbourhood scale. Real-world applications of design strategies will be discussed such as thermal resilience, distributed energy solutions, better stormwater management, protection of natural habitats, and reduction of the urban heat island effect. Progress on Reli 2.0 will be shared as the emerging resiliency standard connected to LEED.

Over 80 per cent of all buildings standing in 2030 have already been built. As a result, today’s buildings represent the greatest opportunity for immediate net reductions in carbon emissions. Without tackling existing buildings, Canada cannot reach its emissions reduction goal. Large building retrofits create jobs, spur economic growth, and deliver cost savings to owners. This stream recognizes that large building retrofit must be a driving force in Canada’s transformation to a low-carbon economy and will address a range of asset classes where the most significant gains can be made, including offices, retail, multi-residential, and institutional buildings.

Presentations will include the latest research on retrofit, project case studies with hands-on experience, retrofit best practices to combat project challenges, and financing solutions for retrofit projects. The stream will also present projects and portfolios pursuing LEED O+M 4.1 certification, performance management and recertification using Arc, and Investor Confidence Project pilots.

Green building goes beyond reducing environmental impacts with a holistic approach that improves the lives and wellbeing of Canadians and embraces green choices beyond the building to include elements such as electric vehicles and renewable energy. LEED certified buildings provide a range of health and wellbeing benefits to occupants through smart design choices. When this approach is extended to neighbourhoods and cities, more people can experience the benefits of sustainable construction and design. By providing solutions that enhance human health and wellbeing, and contribute to the livability of communities, the industry has the potential to engage the next tier of building owners and developers, planners, and policy makers to consider green buildings as a workable and profitable investment.

This stream will expand our understanding of how green buildings, communities, and cities contribute to livability and provide socio-economic benefits such as health, social justice, and economic growth. LEED for Cities and the Living Standard will be introduced along with latest research and initiatives driving the socio-economic aspects of green buildings that appeal to a broader audience.