The toolkit assists municipal decision makers to identify and implement policies and programs that increase the number of high-performance or "green" buildings within their portfolio. It focuses on new buildings, major renovations and large tenant improvements of existing buildings and provides implementation strategies, case studies and information about municipal initiatives across Canada.

Energy costs and public awareness around the impacts of climate change continue to drive the momentum of green building practices. They are gaining a solid foothold in how municipalities manage their buildings and properties; many cities are now adopting LEED Silver or Gold as the standard. Building new developments to high-performance standards and retrofitting existing buildings to optimize energy use helps municipalities realize greenhouse gas emissions reductions, thereby helping them to achieve PCP ilestones.

Green buildings create more resilient communities, as efficient design and renewable energy systems insulate municipalities against the inevitable rising costs of fossil fuel-derived energy. In addition to savings from lower operating expenses, the reduced demand on infrastructure will bring more savings through deferred capital investments.

On Wednesday, May 23, CSCD’s Capacity Building Program will host a webinar on Green Building.
We encourage municipal staff and elected officials to join us from the comfort of their desks to hear the CaGBC discuss the Municipal Green Building Toolkit and the benefits of green buildings to municipalities. The City of Ottawa will then discuss their integrated approach to fostering a green building culture at the municipal level.

On Thursday, June 21, the CaGBC will deliver its first Municipal Green Building Policy Development workshop in Mississauga, Ontario. The workshop is based on the toolkit and equips delegates with practical information that supports progress towards municipal sustainability targets.


For more information, please contact Amy Seabrooke. 

Read more CSCD newsletter articles.