Did you know that one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the Bow Valley come from our buildings? From heating and cooling systems to lighting and appliance use, both commercial and residential buildings play a major role in our local carbon footprint.
But with great emissions comes great opportunity. The choices we make about how we build, renovate, and operate our homes and businesses can lead to significant emissions reductions—improving comfort, saving energy, and helping our community meet its climate goals.
Whether it's installing solar panels, improving insulation, switching to high-efficiency appliances, or designing smarter from the start, every step matters. And these changes don't have to happen in isolation. When individuals, builders, and organizations come together to share ideas and showcase solutions, we can accelerate progress across the region.
Industry Engagement
This past fall, the Biosphere Institute led an industry engagement project to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing building and real estate professionals when it comes to adopting high-performance building practices. With support from the Town of Banff, Alberta Real Estate Foundation, and Banff Canmore Foundation, we surveyed 58 professionals and conducted 17 in-person interviews.
The results revealed both barriers and potential: while cost, regulatory uncertainty, and limited awareness remain key challenges, the majority of professionals expressed a strong interest in learning more. However, many feel there aren't enough resources tailored to their needs.
In response, the Biosphere Institute is working to develop a series of workshops, lunch-and-learns, and industry-aligned training sessions to help fill that gap!
We’re excited to collaborate with local partners to build a more sustainable future—one high-performance building at a time.
Building Capacity
We are excited to be delivering some engaging workshops over the next year to help build capacity around the key areas of interest as identified through our industry engagement.
In partnership with the SAIT Green Building Technology Access Centre we are excited to be hosting a free workshop for Bow Valley Real Estate Professionals on May 6th!
Alberta’s Built Environment in a Changing Climate: Codes, Policies & Market Shifts
Together, we’ll explore how evolving building codes, energy policies, and climate commitments are shaping Alberta’s real estate and building industries.
With sustainability and efficiency taking center stage, this session offers valuable insights for builders, developers, and real estate professionals looking to stay ahead of regulatory and market shifts.
When: Tuesday, May 6th | 12:00–3:30 PM
Where: CanGOLF Canmore, 306 Bow Valley Trail #125B, Canmore, AB
Bonus: Lunch provided + chance to win a smart thermostat! Enjoy networking with other professionals from across the industry.
Stay informed and prepare your business for the next era of Alberta’s real estate industry. Space is limited—register today!
We look forward to seeing you there!
ENBIX Workshops
We have also partnered with theEmissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange(ENBIX) to deliver a series of workshops over the course of 2025. All of which align with key topics of interest identified during our industry engagement.
Solar Ready - June date coming soon!
Geo-Exchange
Introduction to Building Envelope
Life Cycle Assessment
Building the Business Case
3rd Annual Building For Sustainability Symposium
Join us November 6–7, 2025 at the stunning Malcolm Hotel in Canmore for two days of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration. This one-of-a-kind event brings together builders, developers, policy-makers, and community leaders to explore what it takes to create a truly sustainable Bow Valley.
Be part of the conversation as we share real-world strategies, cutting-edge practices, and bold ideas that are shaping the future of building. Together, we can position our region as a leader in sustainable development — and spark change well beyond our valley.
Would you like to host a workshop at this year’s Symposium? We are accepting proposals until Friday, May 9th.
What can you do?
As we continue to work with our municipal and industry partners to move the needle on sustainable building in the Bow Valley, we also know the importance of individual action! Here are some ways you can learn more from your fellow community members and take action at home.
We're excited to welcome you back to the Green Buildings Open House, happening Saturday, May 31 from 11 AM to 4 PM across the Bow Valley!
This annual event is your chance to step inside local homes and businesses that are leading the way in high-performance, sustainable design and construction. From renewable energy systems and water-saving features to climate-resilient upgrades, each stop showcases real-world solutions for building a greener future.
What makes this event special? The tours are hosted by the homeowners and business owners themselves—offering a unique opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and meaningful conversations about what sustainable living looks like in our mountain community.
No registration is needed, unless you’d like to join a tour of the new Spring Creek Staff Accommodation. Space is limited, so be sure to register here if you're interested.
Make It a Challenge!
Visit three or more properties, collect stamps, and you’ll be entered to win some great local prizes! And if you walk or bike the tour, we’ll double your entries—because low-carbon travel deserves a reward.
Join the Bike Tour!
We’ve partnered with Community Cruisers for a fun and social bike tour of select properties. Plus, participants get a free drink ticket for Canmore Brewing Co. Space is limited, so sign up today to secure your spot!
Check out the full list of properties and plan your route below. See you there!
HEET Toolkits
Test your home-energy outputs for free!
We are thrilled to offer our Home Energy Evaluation Toolkit (HEET) for you - a key part of our climate program, designed to help Bow Valley residents spend less on energy bills, and create fewer greenhouse gas emissions!
We have created several physical tool kits with some exciting gizmos you can use to evaluate energy use in your home, along with a user's guide to help you get the most out of those tools.
Each HEET toolkits include:
Kill-A-Watt Meter
Measures the energy demand of an electrical appliance.Digital Thermometer
Measures the temperature of areas, objects and surfaces.Imaging Infrared Camera
Locate heat-loss trouble areas, even in hard-to-reach places.Stopwatch
Records accurate time for a shower or tap flow rate test.LED Light Bulb
Use the Kill-A-Watt Meter to see the difference in energy use compared to a conventional incandescent or compact fluorescent light bulb.A Battery Charger and Rechargeable Batteries
You can now borrow a HEET kit from the Banff Public Library!
If you are in Canmore, contact us to borrow a HEET toolkit!
Thank you Tracy!
We are beyond grateful to call Tracy and Sauvage our friends. Their generosity doesn't stop at the table. They recently helped us secure a sponsorship and generous donation from a local philanthropist, fueling the Biosphere Institute’s ongoing work for a more sustainable Bow Valley.
Thank you, Sauvage, for believing in what we do and for continuing to nurture both people and planet, one incredible meal at a time.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out Sauvage Restaurant in downtown Canmore (just behind the Biosphere office), not just for a meal, but for a truly unique and remarkable experience. Their thoughtful, ever-changing menu reflects a deep commitment to local foraging, our community, and the earth!
Have Your Say!
What do you want to see in downtown Canmore’s future?
The Town’s Connect Downtown redevelopment plan is open for public input — and there’s lots to like: support for net-zero buildings, solar readiness, EV infrastructure, green stormwater systems, wildlife protection, better transit, and a fully pedestrianized Main Street.
Submit your written comments to municipal.clerk@canmore.ca by 9 a.m. Friday.
Or speak at the public hearing Tuesday, May 6 @ 9 a.m. (register by noon Monday — or just show up!)
Let your voice be heard!