Zero Carbon Building Standards

A made-in-Canada solution

CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building™ (ZCB) standards are a made-in-Canada framework that makes carbon the new measure of building innovation. Among the world’s first zero-carbon building standards, they recognize the importance of building emissions in reaching national climate commitments. The ZCB standards are an important tool supporting the green building sector’s efforts to decarbonize Canada’s buildings.

The ZCB standards define low-carbon design and operational performance for buildings. They offer both rigour and flexibility, opening the door for all buildings to minimize their climate impact. Buildings of all types, from office towers to arenas, warehouses, multi-unit residential buildings, and schools, have been certified under the standards.

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What is a zero-carbon building?

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

Access funding and financing opportunities

Governments and investors recognize the importance of decarbonizing Canada’s economy. Zero Carbon Building certification increases access to capital and unlocks asset value for building developments and retrofits.

Financing options include green bonds, green loans, and sustainability-linked loans or mortgages. There are also funding options such as tax incentives, rebates, and grants. A list of federal tax incentives (including air source heat pumps) can be found here and federal funding programs can be found here.  Be sure to check out applicable programs from local governments, utilities and others.

Some programs that explicitly recognize Zero Carbon Building certification include:

Two pathways for buildings

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Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard

The ZCB-Performance Standard™ is used to demonstrate that a building has achieved zero-carbon operations. It requires verification annually.

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Zero Carbon Building Design Standard

The ZCB-Design Standard™ guides the design of new buildings or retrofits of existing ones. It offers a pathway to ensure buildings can achieve zero-carbon once in operation.

Events and education

The Accelerating to Zero series of events and education are specific to zero-carbon buildings. As Canada ramps up efforts to reduce carbon, the building sector must have the knowledge and skills necessary to build to zero and to take advantage of the new opportunities afforded by our new, low-carbon economy.

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LATEST CASE STUDIES

Co-operators New Headquarters

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

The Phenix

Phenix rises again with Zero Carbon Building-certified retrofit Architecture, planning and design firm…
April 28, 2022

REPORTS & RESEARCH

Embodied Carbon: A primer for buildings in Canada

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

Decarbonizing Canada’s Large Buildings

2021 report provides a path to zero  For Canada to achieve its 2030…
March 8, 2022

Making the Case for Zero Carbon Building

CAGBC report proves the value of zero carbon buildings  In Making the Case…
March 8, 2022

Accelerating to Zero

Upskilling for Engineers, Architects, and Renewable Energy Specialists Zero-carbon building skills are essential…
March 24, 2017

LATEST NEWS

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

Help inform updates to Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard

Development is now underway on a new version of CAGBC’s Zero Carbon Building –…
October 23, 2023

For more information on the Zero Carbon Building Standard.