CAGBC takeaways from GLOBExCHANGE 2025

As businesses face increasing pressure to align with global climate goals, the conversation around sustainability, corporate accountability and disclosure, and inclusive economic growth is shifting. That shift was on full display at GLOBExCHANGE 2025, a prominent sustainability conference held in Toronto, where hundreds of esteemed climate experts, business leaders and policymakers gathered to discuss the future of the clean economy.

For CAGBC President and CEO, Thomas Mueller, who attended the event and led a roundtable on green building and real estate sustainability, three key themes emerged: green building is becoming a business imperative, corporate climate disclosure is expanding, and Indigenous leadership in sustainable development is making a mark.

Green building is becoming a business imperative

While sustainability has long been viewed as a corporate responsibility, the discussion at GLOBExCHANGE made it clear that green building is now an integral part of financial and strategic decision-making. Organizations that have already embraced LEED-certified, zero-carbon and high-performance buildings are not only seeing lower operating costs but stronger investor demand and reduced regulatory risk.

More notable, however, was the presence of companies that had not yet engaged with green building. As corporate tenants, lenders, and investors increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and carbon reduction, companies that fail to integrate sustainability into their real estate decisions could be hard-pressed to meet their business targets.

Recent CAGBC research highlights that while industry leaders recognize the urgency of decarbonizing their buildings, uncertainty and planning challenges continue to slow progress. That’s why CAGBC offers support to help organizations navigate this transition, providing the latest information and tools to accelerate real estate decarbonization and retrofit planning.

“The message from the market is clear: sustainability is no longer just about doing the right thing—it’s about making smart business decisions,” says Mueller. “Green buildings attract investment, reduce risk, and increase revenues.”

Climate disclosure rules are raising the stakes

Canada’s corporate climate reporting landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. By 2027, new voluntary disclosure standards under the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) will guide businesses to publicly report their climate-related risks and emissions. This will align Canada with global frameworks such as those established by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). These standards aim to bring greater transparency and accountability to corporate sustainability efforts—an expectation that investors, regulators, and consumers are increasingly demanding.

At the same time, Bill C-59, Canada’s Accountability Act, is already in effect, giving everyone a mechanism to challenge misleading environmental claims. Companies touting sustainability commitments in marketing materials, or communication tools must now ensure those claims are backed by verifiable data and methodologies.

Basically, the days of “sustainability promises” are coming to an end as investors, shareholders and the public want proof. Companies with recognized third-party verified green building certifications—like LEED^® or Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Standards™—will be in a much stronger position than those relying on self-reported claims.

While the Accountability Act is already being applied, there remains an opportunity for businesses to shape its implementation. Regulators are seeking industry input to refine enforcement mechanisms, ensuring they are both effective and practical. But the fact remains: the framework is in place, and businesses that fail to substantiate their environmental claims risk not only reputational damage but also legal challenges.

The Act also introduces a competitive element—companies with credible sustainability initiatives now have a formal way to challenge competitors whose claims may not hold up under scrutiny.

Indigenous perspectives are key to driving real change

The conversation at GLOBExCHANGE underscored another important issue—Indigenous leadership in sustainability is not just valuable; it is essential. Across Canada, Indigenous communities have long been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, leading energy projects, land restoration and management initiatives. Yet, despite this leadership, they have often not been included in economic and policy decisions shaping the clean economy.

One area of particular urgency is affordable housing, a topic that CAGBC explores in its white paper, Two Million Green Homes: Ensuring Canada’s Needed New Housing is Affordable, Attainable, and Sustainable. To that end, Indigenous-led organizations continue to advocate for housing solutions that are both sustainable and culturally appropriate. The challenge is not only about ensuring Indigenous voices are heard but how they can participate in housing development that are examples on climate action, urban and economic development. Several large indigenous-led developments are already underway in Canada including Sen̓áḵw and Jericho Lands in Vancouver.

“Indigenous communities have been leading on environmental stewardship for generations,” says Mueller. “They are important decision-makers and economic partners in shaping Canada’s clean economy. Their role in leading housing developments across Canda is an example of providing a different approach and perspective on how to help shape sustainable solutions in the building sector that work for everyone.”