Building climate solutions

A proven path to lower carbon emissions

The growing impact of climate change demands action, and buildings must be part of the solution. Slowing the rise in global temperatures means cutting carbon emissions. Today, residential, commercial, and institutional buildings contribute 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Considering building materials and construction brings that number is closer to 30%, making the building sector Canada’s third-highest carbon emitter.

Green buildings offer a proven solution. They are more energy and resource efficient, use renewable energy, and work with the environment around them. Zero-carbon buildings help lower carbon emissions by addressing embodied carbon from construction materials and processes and from heating, cooling, and refrigerant use. Committing to green, zero-carbon buildings and deep carbon retrofits will reduce carbon emissions, helping slow rising global temperatures. 

CAGBC plays an active role in making zero-carbon buildings the new normal through researcheducation, and the Zero Carbon Building standards.™

What’s a zero carbon building? 

A zero-carbon building is highly energy-efficient and minimizes GHG emissions from building materials and operations. Until all emissions can be eliminated, high-quality carbon offsets can be used as a counterbalance.

ZERO CARBON BUILDING SHOWCASE

Co-operators New Headquarters

The new Co-operators headquarters building located at 101 Cooper Drive, Guelph, aims to…
June 16, 2023

Humber Cultural Hub

The art of green building The Humber Cultural Hub (HCH) is part of…
March 26, 2023

Édifice Jacques-Parizeau

ZCB-Performance certification to guide future Ivanhoé Cambridge projects Located in Montreal’s International District,…
April 28, 2022

Scotia Plaza’s 40 King Street West

Zero carbon building reaches new heights with first ZCB-Performance v2 certification Scotia Plaza’s…
April 28, 2022

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Climate priority

To slow global warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, energy efficiency must go up, and carbon emissions must come down. Zero-carbon buildings offer a solution for both new construction and existing buildings, and can spur economic growth and new high-skilled jobs.

Making the Case 

CAGBC’s report Making the Case for Zero Carbon Buildings proves zero-carbon buildings are technically feasible and financially viable. Investment in zero-carbon buildings protects against the rising cost of carbon and offers benefits beyond carbon reduction.

Decarbonizing Canada’s Large Buildings

Existing buildings must be retrofit or renovated to be zero carbon if Canada is to meet its emissions reduction targets. CAGBC’s study Decarbonizing Canada’s Large Buildings examines how building owners can use deep carbon retrofits to accelerate the decarbonization of large buildings.

LATEST RESEARCH & REPORTS

Full Disclosure: Real Estate’s Climate Leadership in action

In the absence of consistent requirements and support for building performance data disclosure…
October 26, 2022

Green Retrofit Economy Study

CAGBC and the Delphi Group‘s new study, Green Retrofit Economy Study profiles key…
June 2, 2022

Embodied Carbon: A primer for buildings in Canada

This document provides the building sector with the information needed to understand embodied…
March 23, 2022

Canada’s Green Building Engine

Market Impact and Opportunities in a Critical Decade CAGBC’s report, Canada’s Green Building Engine captures…
March 8, 2022

Zero carbon building jobs

In the race to reduce carbon emissions and meet Canada’s climate targets, zero-carbon buildings and retrofits are an important strategy. Already, the federal government has mandated that all its owned or leased buildings should pursue zero carbon. As more building owners follow suit, demand for green building workers will grow.

The CAGBC report, Canada’s Green Building Engine estimates that direct green building jobs could number 1.5 million by 2030 if the government pursues a green recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, investments in workforce reskilling will be needed to meet the technical demands of zero-carbon buildings.

LATEST NEWS

New CAGBC ZCB Interpretation Process

The CAGBC is excited to launch our Zero Carbon Building Standards Interpretations database.…
March 20, 2024

New Opportunities for Tenants interested in ZCB-Performance certification

A new opportunity is now available for tenants and owners pursuing ZCB-Performance certification.…
February 7, 2024

Expanding the ZCB project information available online

Over the comings months, CAGBC will be expanding the project information publicly available…
January 10, 2024

Survey findings: Your thoughts on the upcoming ZCB-Design Standard

Earlier this fall we asked you for ideas to inform the ongoing evolution…
January 8, 2024