CAGBC Awards

The Zero Carbon Design Award is presented to the team responsible for a new building that demonstrates climate leadership through innovative carbon reduction strategies and optimal building performance. Construction must have reached completion between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. The evaluation considers operational carbon reduction measures; efforts to reduce the building’s embodied carbon; energy efficiency; grid-friendly design measures, and innovation.

The Deep Carbon Retrofit Award is presented to the team responsible for a deep carbon retrofit that demonstrates climate leadership through innovative carbon reduction strategies and optimal building performance. Eligible projects must have reached completion between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. A deep retrofit includes extensive alterations including work on the building envelope and/or the core and peripheral MEP (mechanical – electrical – plumbing). The evaluation will consider operational carbon reduction measures; efforts to reduce the embodied carbon of the retrofit; energy efficiency; grid-friendly design measures, and innovation.

The New Construction Award is presented to the team responsible for a new commercial or institutional building that demonstrates optimal environmental sustainability and occupant health and wellness. Canadian new construction projects registered for, or certified by, a recognized green building standard or rating system are eligible. This award focuses on the design stage and the choices made to achieve environmental sustainability goals as well as improve occupant health and wellness. Construction completion must have been reached between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. The evaluation will consider GHG and energy-reduction features; occupant health and wellness; water conservation measures; material selection; site selection and development; and innovation.

The Inspiring Home Award is presented to the team responsible for outstanding achievement in a Canadian residential project. This award is for high-performing, sustainable single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, or multi-family buildings. The winning project provides a healthy living environment, contributes to the betterment of the surrounding community, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, and addresses social equity issues such as affordability and accessibility. This award is open to newly constructed residential projects completed between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Canadian new construction projects registered for, or certified by, a recognized green building standard or rating system are eligible. The evaluation will consider GHG and energy reduction; occupant health and wellness; water conservation; material selection; and overall commitment to sustainability. Multi-unit residential buildings are eligible for this award. 

The Green Building Champion Award recognizes a deserving individual for exceptional achievement in initiatives that advocate for CAGBC’s core interests, programs, and priorities. Initiatives may include work related to commercial enterprise, public interest programs, policies, education, or advocacy that further advance sustainability in Canada. Applicants must clearly display exceptional achievement in advocating for sustainable green buildings within their area of expertise.

The Green Building Visionary Award recognizes an organization with an innovative approach to advancing green building technology, products, capacity building, policy, design, or operations. As a result, the industry, their competitors, customers, and employees are pushed towards continuous improvement, helping CAGBC achieve its mission. Nominees will be known for innovative work and for inspiring the industry. Evaluations will consider vision and innovation; success factors; commitment to sustainability; and impact on industry, employees, competitors, and customers.

The Emerging Green Leader Award recognizes a deserving student or young professional who has made a significant contribution to advocating for, educating, or practicing green building and/or community development. This individual is recognized as a leader among their peers with a strong commitment to green building, the environment, and making positive change. Evaluations will consider demonstrated peer leadership; potential for leadership; and commitment to sustainability. This award is presented to an individual who is either an individual member of CAGBC or an employee of a corporate member company, and either a full-time student or 30 years of age or younger, or have worked in the green building sector for under five years.

The Government Leadership Award recognizes a deserving individual, team, department, or organization that has developed policies and/or programs to advance green building in Canada. The recipient has shown leadership in the public sector to effect change, improve performance, and advance sustainable building practices, such as the adoption of green building standards or the implementation of an innovative and sustainable infrastructure project. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the office or department adopted a policy for greening buildings; explain any green building policies or programs developed; and/or show how they demonstrated leadership by setting ambitious green building goals for other departments or governments to follow.

The Andy Kesteloo Memorial Project Award is presented in memory of Andy Kesteloo, a visionary green building advocate who shared his commitment for a sustainable earth with humour, insight and passion. The award recognizes a student project that demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a creative vision for the future of sustainable design in the field of green building and communities. We’ll announce updates here.