Reducing Emissions from Buildings by Supporting Building and Real Estate Professionals
The Biosphere Institute, in partnership with local organizations, has worked with the building and real estate professionals to identify barriers to higher building performance adoption as well as adoption of higher tiers of the 2020 National Building Code. With support from Natural Resources Canada, the Town of Banff, Alberta Real Estate Foundation, and the Banff Canmore Foundation, we're developing educational tools to promote high-performance buildings.
Based on our industry engagement conducted in 2024 we published a report on the key barriers.
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Buildings are one of the largest contributors to climate change, accounting for nearly one-third (about 30%) of the Bow Valley’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Across Canada and here at home, the building sector produces significant emissions from fossil fuel heating, poor insulation, and inefficient energy use.
The way we design, build, and operate homes and workplaces has a major impact on both our environment and our community’s resilience. Addressing these emissions means improving both new construction and existing buildings, ensuring that every home and business contributes to a low-carbon future.
Transitioning to high-performance and low-carbon buildings is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and create healthier spaces for people to live and work. Green buildings benefit both people and the planet by offering long-term savings through improved efficiency and durability.
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Green buildings are designed and constructed with efficiency, comfort, and sustainability in mind. Common features include:
Energy efficiency: advanced insulation, triple-glazed windows, airtight building envelopes
Low-carbon heating and cooling: electric heat pumps, geothermal or solar systems
Water efficiency: low-flow fixtures, greywater reuse systems, and water-wise landscaping
Sustainable materials: locally sourced, low-embodied-carbon, and non-toxic finishes
Renewable energy integration: solar-ready design and on-site energy generation
These upgrades help create buildings that perform better, cost less to operate, and support a resilient, climate-ready community.
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Energy-efficient upgrades often pay for themselves through lower utility bills, improved comfort, and increased property value. Some of the strongest opportunities include:
1. Heat pumps (air-source and ground-source)
Modern electric heat pumps use far less energy than conventional systems and can significantly reduce heating costs over the lifetime of the system. Independent analysis in Canada shows that, when incentives are included, heat pumps are often among the lowest-cost options for home heating and cooling over the long term. Learn more2. Upgraded windows and insulation
Improving the building envelope (air sealing, insulation, high-performance windows) can reduce space heating needs substantially and improve comfort. Case studies and federal guidance show major envelope upgrades can deliver meaningful energy savings with reasonable payback periods, especially in older or leakier buildings. Learn more3. Solar PV systems
In Alberta’s sunny climate, rooftop solar can provide a stable, predictable source of electricity and long-term savings. Regional analyses and calculators indicate payback periods typically in the low-to-mid teens (in years), with stronger economics when rebates or low-interest financing are available. Learn more4. Quick-win energy retrofits
Lower-cost measures such as air sealing, attic insulation top-ups, smart thermostats, and LED lighting upgrades usually offer some of the fastest returns and are frequently eligible under local and federal incentive programs, including the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) and other retrofit supports. Learn more -
If full upgrades aren’t feasible yet, there are smaller, cost-effective steps that can deliver immediate impact:
Install LED lighting and smart thermostats
Add weather-stripping and door sweeps
Seal ductwork and air leaks
Use programmable thermostats to optimize energy use
Switch to Energy Star appliances
Improve window coverings for heat retention
These incremental improvements are accessible for most households and can collectively make a meaningful difference in reducing emissions.
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A range of grants, rebates, and subsidies are available to help residents and builders invest in greener buildings, from federal and provincial programs to local initiatives like the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).
Explore current opportunities on our Rebates and Incentives page to find funding options for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and home retrofit projects.
Through our partnerships, the Biosphere Institute offers workshops, webinars, and the annual Building for Sustainability Symposium to support builders, developers, and real estate professionals. These programs are helping the Bow Valley lead the transition to high-performance, low-carbon building practices.
Educational Resources
ENBIX Workshop - life cycle assessment: embodied carbon
The session introduced key concepts including the difference between operational and embodied emissions, the role of Environmental Product Declarations, how building massing affects life cycle assessments, and the scopes and tools used in LCAs. The workshop also highlighted the growing importance of addressing embodied carbon in Alberta as construction and building renewal continue to contribute to emissions from building materials.
ENBIX Workshop - building the business case for sustainability
Joe Henke presented the Building the Business Case for high performance, energy efficient buildings. The session explored how high performance building strategies influence project economics and long term value. Topics included cost optimized pathways for construction, the relationship between capital costs and operational energy costs, methods for evaluating and valuing energy efficiency upgrades, and key consumer considerations that influence building investment decisions.
ENBIX Workshop - ground source heat pumps
Joseph Henke presented on Ground Source Heat Pumps for Builders. This training session looked at the fundamentals of Ground Source Heat Pumps in Alberta, examined design considerations and case studies. This session was presented with support from the Biosphere Institute, with content developed by Alpine Geothermal.
ENBIX Workshop - building envelope fundamentals
Joseph Henke presented on Building Envelope Fundamentals. This training session looked at the critical functions of the building envelope in residential applications and the importance of air tightness, thermal bridging, and below-grade insulation. This session was presented with support from the Biosphere Institute, with content developed by Building Knowledge Canada.
ENBIX Workshop - Solar Ready Design
Joseph Henke for the Emissions Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX) presented on Solar-Ready Design. This training session looked at the fundamentals of solar energy in Alberta, design considerations for buildings, and examined how solar affects costs. This session was presented with support from the Institute of the Biosphere of the Bow Valley. With content developed by Solar Alberta and LEEP.
Learn more about solar ready design: https://www.enbix.ca/document/solar-ready-design-training-page/
Alberta’s Built Environment in a Changing Climate: Codes, Policies & Market Shifts
This free, interactive workshop was hosted by the SAIT Green Building Technology Access Centre (GBTAC) and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. Together, we explored 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 offered valuable insights for builders, developers, and real estate professionals looking to stay ahead of regulatory and market shifts.
ENBIX Workshop - Air-Source Heat Pumps
Join ENBIX and SSRIA to explore residential building technologies used in Alberta.
This session, recorded on November 14, 2024, focuses on Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHP). Speakers outline conventional, hybrid, and cold-climate systems:
Don Curry (Weiss-Johnson) – focuses on gas hybrid systems
Jordan Hilton (AirTech Services Ltd.) – focuses on all-electric, hybrid systems
Darrell Durrand (Energy Saving Products Ltd.) – small duct high-velocity systems
This webinar series is perfect for builders, architects, engineers, consultants, and other professionals in the building, construction and renovation industry in Alberta.
2024 Building for Sustainability Symposium
We shared our findings at the Building for Sustainability Symposium in October 2024 – where we also launched the first of our courses, workshops, and seminars to help raise awareness, build capacity, and develop skills with industry professionals.
thank you to our Project Partners
