A new report from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) identifies gaps design professionals need to fill in order to deliver zero-carbon buildings across the country.

In Accelerating to Zero: Upskilling for Engineers, Architects, and Renewable Energy Specialists, CaGBC used its Zero Carbon Building Standard to identify those core competencies and sub-competencies engineers, architects and renewable energy specialists need to support zero carbon building. It surveyed 318 design professionals to determine their perceived knowledge and practical experience for the competencies. In doing so, it aimed to identify knowledge baselines and skills gaps.

CaGBC also tracked respondents’ preferred learning approaches and available training and education to better understand upskilling opportunities.

“Transitioning to zero carbon buildings offers significant emissions reductions, but it also requires a shift in thinking and practice across the building sector,” said Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of CaGBC. “Skilled job training is a critical element in shifting the industry toward a knowledgeable and prepared application of zero carbon building practices which will make a positive impact on Canada’s climate goals.”

Through its Zero Carbon Building standards, CaGBC is strongly advocating for the construction and design industries to reduce or altogether eliminate their carbon emissions.

Canada has committed to reaching a 30 percent reduction below 2005 levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, intending to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The building sector has an opportunity to play a crucial role in meeting these targets—particularly as Canada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s widely expected that construction will play a leading role in restoring the economy in the coming months, and building operations can account for as much as 30 percent of the country’s carbon emissions when materials and construction are considered.

Zero carbon buildings provide a proven pathway to achieve much-needed carbon reductions, says CaGBC. Barriers, however, remain in the industry’s ability to acquire the skills it needs to act on such design imperatives. The report recommends that the building sector prioritize the development of zero carbon building competencies for design professional, particularly given the role they play in early-construction decision making.

The study also recommends that education and training providers:

• ensure curricula address zero carbon building competencies,
• support upskilling by establishing common terminology for courses and by investing in self-assessment tools,
• enhance professional credentialing requirements, and
• invest in, develop and support multiple delivery methods and formats.

It makes further recommendations for policy decision-makers:

• demonstrate leadership through government-wide learning,
• address gaps for in-person learning with targeted incentives, and
• support the adoption of zero carbon building codes and related training and education.

The full report is available at the CaGBC website.