About the Authors
Advancing decarbonization efforts in the Canadian building sector
In the summer and fall of 2024, we brought together a large group of Canadian building owners and investors by way of interviews, surveys, and roundtable discussions to brainstorm barriers and solutions to address the decarbonization challenge.
The result was the most comprehensive list of decarbonization barriers faced by the commercial real estate industry in the country, along with ten actionable recommendations that address those barriers. These recommendations recognize the delicate balance between federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions, tight government and industry budgets, and multiple competing priorities.
Leaders will continue navigating the current uncertainties and finding their way around or through the barriers – but bold action is required by all levels of government, utilities, the appraisal community, financial institutions, and the industry itself to accelerate and scale the decarbonization action required across Canada’s commercial and institutional buildings.
REALPAC is the national leadership association dedicated to advancing the long-term vitality of Canada’s real property sector. Our 130+ member companies represent over 1 trillion in assets under management across all asset classes in Canada – office, retail, industrial, apartment, hotel, senior living. Together, we contribute almost $150B in annual GDP to the Canadian economy and create over 1 million jobs.
The PLACE Centre, which stands for Propelling Locally Accelerated Clean focuses on the complex challenges limiting clean economic growth in Canadian communities. PLACE focuses on creating accessible communities that meet the needs of everyone from ages nine to ninety; are affordable for everyone to have a home, heat that home, and put food on the table; and will help Canada meets its climate goals of zero emissions by 2050.
The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) supports the people and businesses that design, construct, and operate buildings. We offer practical solutions that unlock the value of green buildings to attract investment, reduce costs, and increase asset value and resiliency. CAGBC research, advocacy, training, and products are essential in helping Canada’s building sector achieve business, sustainability, and carbon leadership goals.
Together, we can reduce barriers and co-create the conditions to accelerate building decarbonization in Canada.