Low Carbon Training Foundations Course
Canada’s green buildings sector is growing, and the number of green building sector jobs is expected to triple by 2030. This means professionals prepared with low-carbon knowledge will have a distinct advantage in this growing job market. The question is: where can you learn the basics and kickstart your low-carbon career?
The first of its kind in Canada, the Low Carbon Training Foundations course will equip the people and businesses involved in the design, construction and operation of green buildings, with a common language and understanding of low-carbon strategies and solutions.
This free online course is offered at no cost to help Canada’s building sector become a world leader in low-carbon building and retrofits.
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 career growth
Whether you are just starting your career in the building sector or preparing for the next phase, the Low Carbon Training Foundations course provides in-demand knowledge and training from highly respected professionals.
Shared Understanding, Better Collaboration
Highly efficient, low-carbon buildings require a high level of collaboration from start to finish. When building trades and other professionals are speaking a common language, silos will be broken down, collaboration will improve and efficiency will be enhanced – resulting in better buildings, fewer delays and reduced costs.
About the training
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.
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 career.
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.
