The economy and market is shifting
The building sector as a whole can no longer afford the status quo. The economy, building codes and investor expectations are changing quickly, and we need to be prepared with the right people and skills to keep up with growing demands and incentives for low-carbon buildings and retrofits.
Major Canadian organizations, such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, have already committed to $3.6 billion in financing for energy efficiency and low-carbon upgrades of large buildings.
This means companies prepared with low-carbon expertise and talent will have a distinct advantage in this growing market. The question is: where can your employees get the most up-to-date information and best practices?
The Low Carbon Training Foundations course was designed by leading experts in green building sector to equip professionals working in building finance, design, construction and operation with a common language and understanding of low-carbon strategies and solutions.
The program is available for free until March 31, 2024. Your company’s future in the low-carbon economy begins with your leadership teams and employees signing up here.
Benefits
Free Access to Expert Knowledge
The Low Carbon Training Foundations course was developed by the same team who designed Canada’s Zero Carbon Building Standards.
Provides a starting point for your employees to boost their low-carbon knowledge and skills.
For companies looking to transition to the low-carbon economy and take full advantage of its opportunities, the Low Carbon Training Foundations is the best place to start.
Shared understanding means better collaboration and more efficient projects and buildings.
Highly efficient, low-carbon buildings require a high level of collaboration throughout their entire life cycle from planning and design to construction and operations. When project teams, building trades and other real estate professionals are speaking a common language about ESG and low-carbon solutions, existing silos are broken down and efficiencies are enhanced – resulting in better buildings, fewer delays, and reduced costs.
The Low Carbon Training Foundations course was created by Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) to improve collaboration across the building sector by enhancing knowledge and skills and developing a shared language for low-carbon solutions.
This free training is the first of its kind in Canada. Companies who upskill their employees with this knowledge will have a critical competitive advantage in the market.
The course is available through several in-person and on-demand modules that are free until March 31, 2024.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to grow your company and your talent.
See detailed learning objectives
Learning objectives are also available as a PDF.
1. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG):
An overview of ESG, which is an approach to measuring and evaluating the sustainability and ethical impact of businesses based on their environmental practices, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
- Explain key concepts, growth drivers, and the business case for ESG.
- Define environmental, social, and governance themes as they relate to businesses.
- Understand the concepts of opportunity analysis and risks avoidance as they relate to environmental performance in buildings.
2. Integrated Design Process (ID
An introduction to IDP, which is a collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders in the design and decision-making process to create sustainable and efficient building designs.
- Describe IDP including its key steps, attributes, and roles of key professionals.
- Contrast the conventional design process and the integrated design process.
- Identify the benefits and challenges of IDP and some lessons learned.
3. Operational Carbon:
Distinguishes and defines the greenhouse gas emissions produced during the day-to-day operations of a building, including energy consumption, transportation, waste management, etc.
- Explain the sources of carbon emissions, including the differences between operational and embodied carbon, energy end uses and types, and the link between energy use and carbon emissions.
- Understand how operational carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with building energy consumption (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and power).
- Define how and when energy modelling, management, benchmarking, and reporting are leveraged to improve building performance.
4. Embodied Carbon:
Provides an overview of carbon emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and construction of materials used in buildings or infrastructure projects.
- Understand embodied carbon emissions in buildings.
- Describe whole building Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
- Calculate and reduce embodied carbon.
- Identify standards and considerations for embodied carbon in the market.
5. Transition Planning:
An introduction to a Zero Carbon Transition Plan, which is a costed plan that outlines how a building will adapt over time to remove combustion from building operations. Effective transition planning leverages the natural intervention points in a building’s capital plan when retrofits would normally be required.
- Understanding of why buildings need a transition plan and how it helps.
- Explain the components of a transition plan including energy use assessment, mechanical system review, opportunity analysis, adaptation measures, and financial assessment.
- Practice formulating a transition plan for buildings and asset portfolios
*This course will be available in French in early 2024.
Open for registration
Coming soon
Low Carbon Training Partners
Developed in 2023, the Low Carbon Training Program leveraged partnership networks and national membership to create and promote the program across Canada.
