Reducing Emissions from Buildings by Supporting Building and Real Estate Professionals

The Biosphere Institute, in partnership with local organizations, is has worked with the development community to identify barriers to adopting higher tiers of the 2020 National Building Code. With support from Natural Resources Canada, the Town of Banff, and the Banff Canmore Foundation, we're developing educational tools to promote high-performance buildings.

We’ve also collaborated with real estate professionals to inform buyers about the value and benefits of high-performance homes, funded by the Alberta Real Estate Foundation.

These insights are shaping a tailored education program for Bow Valley and Alberta professionals. In partnership with ENBIX and SAIT, we’ll deliver workshops through 2025 to boost energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and fill key knowledge gaps.

See below for upcoming sessions and follow us on social media for updates!

Solar Ready Design

How to prepare building for solar

Join Joseph Henke for this  presentation on  Solar-Ready Design.  This training session will look at the fundamentals of solar energy in Alberta, design considerations for buildings, and an examination how solar affects costs.  This session is presented with support from the Institute of the Biosphere of the Bow Valley.  With content developed by Solar Alberta and LEEP.  

When: September 16, 2025 9AM to noon

Where: Canmore Recreation Centre, Room 115

Registration : https://www.enbix.ca/events/solar-ready-design-canmore/

Or visit: https://www.enbix.ca/events/

Upcoming 2025 workshops in partnership with ENBIX. Stay tuned for more information!

1. Geo-Exchange

   • Integration for deep retrofits and new construction.

   • Zoning, project management steps, sizing strategies, appropriate design, and drilling considerations.

2. Introduction to Building Envelope

   • Air tightness, thermal bridging, insulation, under slab insulation, and blower door testing.

3. Life Cycle Assessment

   • How to develop a net-zero for zero proforma; project integration of costs and benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and sustainable materials.

4. Building the Business Case

   • How to develop a net-zero for zero proforma; project integration of costs and benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and sustainable materials.

   • How to run the financials for total cost of ownership.

   • How to market a net-zero project.

Past Workshops

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.

When: Tuesday, May 6th | 12:00–3:30 PM
Where: CanGOLF Canmore, 306 Bow Valley Trail #125B, Canmore, AB

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.