A coalition of Canada’s largest general contractors have partnered with The Transition Accelerator to release a report that looks at how to meet the scale of Canada’s construction challenge while reducing emissions from jobsites across the country.

Drawing on operational data from more than 600 real-world projects, Growing and Greening Canadian Construction: Five Ways for Canadian Construction Companies to Build More and Emit Less is the first report of its kind in Canada to rigorously analyze construction-site emissions and identify actions to reduce them, and improve efficiency and affordability in the process.

Based on real operational data from more than 600 projects nationwide, the new report identifies five priority actions for the sector:

1. electrify light-duty vehicles and small equipment; 
2. optimize and electrify temporary heating; 
3. adopt renewable diesel as a bridge fuel; 
4. connect sites to grid power instead of diesel generators; and 
5. deploy hybrid and electric excavation equipment. 

The analysis shows that these priority actions could reduce industry-wide jobsite emissions by up to 75% if fully implemented by 2040 while improving cost control, safety, and reliability. Early adoption could deliver a 25% reduction at a national level by 2030.

“This level of cooperation and data sharing has never been done before in Canadian construction,” said Moe Kabbara, President, The Transition Accelerator. “It provides an evidence-based foundation to chart credible pathways to carbon neutrality while supporting growth and competitiveness.”

Formed in 2024, the Canadian Construction Sustainability Alliance includes Aecon, Bird, Chandos, EllisDon, Graham, Ledcor, Multiplex, PCL, and Pomerleau. The group explores how the industry can reduce emissions while continuing to meet Canada’s growing demand for housing, infrastructure, and industrial projects.

Its goal is to drive innovation, share best practices, and work with policymakers, suppliers, and clients to accelerate the decarbonization of Canada’s construction sector.