Realizing these goals could result in:

• 50 MT/year reduction in GHG emissions;
• pro-investment strategies where owners will invest in building improvements, across all regions of the country, to stay competitive in the marketplace and demonstrate corporate environmental responsibility;
• direct employment in construction, manufacturing and professional services, with new skills, products and markets;
• large, measurable, and immediate reductions in water consumption, use of resources and generation of waste;
• a receptive market for new, green technology, products and services;
• building renewal, and significant reductions of public-sector deferred maintenance liabilities;
• avoidance of electricity generation and transmission capacity;
• reduced pollution and improved indoor environmental quality, with direct benefits to public and community health;
• utility cost savings for homeowners and for public- and private-sector building owners, and
• creation of a large supply of certified carbon credits.

Buildings represent the largest “no-regrets” opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and to contribute to economic growth. Through the next generation of LEED and the building performance management system, the CaGBC will provide the framework for building owners, corporations and policy-makers to guide continuous improvement towards these goals.

A buildings-centric strategy will engage all Canadians in the climate change solution, leading the way to the broader societal changes required for a sustainable future.