Ask the Expert: Navid Hossaini

With over a decade of experience in sustainability consulting and decarbonization planning, Recollective CEO Navid Hossaini, has managed over 50 high-performance buildings across North America and collaborated with academia, industry, and government partners on many innovation and R&D projects. Here’s his take on the best approach to acquiring and sharing knowledge in the ever-evolving world of zero carbon building.

Can you tell us a bit about your career path?

My journey in engineering began as a civil/structural engineer-in-training, where I had the opportunity to work on green building projects as early as 2008. It was during this time that I became deeply interested in the role of sustainability in the built environment. Recognizing the growing importance of green and low-carbon buildings, I pursued a Master’s and PhD at the University of British Columbia, focusing on high-performance, low-carbon, and sustainable building solutions.

I joined Recollective Consulting in Vancouver 13 years ago as an intern, and over time, I grew into leadership roles, ultimately becoming CEO five years ago. Today, I lead a dedicated team passionate about advancing sustainability and resilience in building design and construction.

After years of pioneering green building practices in Vancouver, in December 2024 we took Recollective to the next level by joining forces with CIMA+, a firm with a strong national presence. CIMA+ shares our commitment to growing green building expertise across Canada, and this partnership allows us to combine our knowledge and resources to tackle new challenges and drive meaningful impact in sustainable development.

When did you start teaching CAGBC courses, and what does it mean to be part of CAGBC’s faculty?

Teaching has always been one of my greatest passions. There is nothing more fulfilling than sharing knowledge, inspiring curiosity, and empowering professionals to create a more sustainable future.

I started teaching CAGBC courses in 2023, beginning with the LEED Green Associate Kick-Starter courses. Since then, I’ve collaborated with the talented CAGBC team to develop and teach courses on the Zero Carbon Building™ (ZCB) program, including workshops and courses for the ZCB Micro-Credential.

Being part of the CAGBC faculty is a deeply rewarding experience. It allows me to play a role in shaping the future of Canada’s sustainable construction industry, equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to design and build resilient, energy-efficient, and low-carbon structures. Through education, we can accelerate the adoption of green building practices and help make sustainability the standard rather than the exception.

How do we ensure data consistency, reliability, and availability for accurate whole-building LCA (wbLCA)? How important is it in maintaining or improving asset value?

Accurate and reliable whole-building lifecycle assessments (wbLCA) depend on high-quality data, yet this remains a significant challenge in the industry. We need:

• Standardized methodologies
• Clear guidelines on LCA scope, assumptions, and reporting metrics
• Reliable material databases – Access to up-to-date, regionally specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
• Consistent benchmarking – Common industry baselines to compare performance and set achievable carbon targets
• Integration with design tools – Seamless incorporation of wbLCA within BIM and energy modeling software

Investors, developers, and building owners increasingly recognize that low-carbon buildings not only reduce long-term operational costs but also mitigate future regulatory risks and enhance market competitiveness.

As you know, wbLCA is a requirement for projects pursuing ZCB certification. How can standards and certifications provide direction for the industry?

Standards and certifications play a critical role in guiding the industry toward net-zero and low-carbon buildings. The industry requires clear guidelines, benchmarks, and incentives to ensure successful adoption of wbLCA. Certifications like ZCB provide:

• A clear roadmap – Outlining best practices for reducing both operational and embodied carbon
• Standardized methodologies – Ensuring consistent LCA reporting and performance verification
• Market credibility – Recognizing and rewarding projects that demonstrate true leadership in decarbonization
• Market acceleration – Encouraging adoption through policy alignment and incentives.

When it comes to lifecycle carbon assessments, how do we avoid building our ship while sailing?

Great question! The importance of lifecycle carbon assessment (LCA)—which considers both operational and embodied carbon—is transforming how we approach building decarbonization. Historically, the industry has focused heavily on operational carbon (energy use during a building’s lifetime) while overlooking embodied carbon (emissions from materials and construction). This has left a major gap in our decarbonization strategies.

To avoid the risk of “building our ship while sailing,” we need to be proactive rather than reactive. The priority should be on retrofitting and decarbonizing existing buildings—reducing the need for new materials and construction. For new developments, three areas should be prioritized:

• Low-carbon materials (e.g., low-carbon concrete, mass timber, natural insulation)
• Passive design strategies (maximizing efficiency through architecture rather than mechanical systems)
• Clean energy sources (using renewable power to minimize lifecycle impacts)

Market transformation is key. As demand for low-carbon materials increases, supply chains will respond, creating more availability and cost-effective options. Industry collaboration, policy alignment, and clear benchmarks will ensure we transition to low carbon construction without compromising quality, affordability, or resilience.