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!

Alberta’s Built Environment in a Changing Climate: Codes, Policies & Market Shifts

Join us for a free, interactive workshop hosted by the SAIT Green Building Technology Access Centre (GBTAC) and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. 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 door prize! Enjoy networking with other professionals from across the industry.

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

1. Solar Ready

   • Passive heating & cooling, PV, building orientation, solar heat gain.

2. Geo-Exchange

   • Integration for deep retrofits and new construction.

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

3. Introduction to Building Envelope

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

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.