In the face of rising energy costs and increasingly stringent building codes, the performance of the building envelope has become the cornerstone of any successful construction project. This course presents the keys to turning this requirement into a competitive advantage. Over 15 hours, participants will master the fundamental principles that govern a high-performing building envelope. The training covers core building science strategies, including continuous thermal insulation, the elimination of thermal bridges, airtightness control, and moisture transfer management. It also breaks down the physics of the envelope to equip professionals with the tools to design high-performance wall and roof assemblies.
This micro-credential introduces learners to circular economy strategies for reducing embodied carbon in residential construction and retrofits. Through a blended delivery model that combines online learning with hands-on, in-person experience, learners develop the knowledge and necessary knowledge and practical skills needed to make lo-carbon material and design decisions. The course emphasizes real-world application using case studies and immersive learning in Mohawk College’s Circular Design Lab, with a cumulative individual designed project focused on minimizing carbon emissions and maximizing material circularity.
By the end of this training, learners will be able to:
This training directly supports the Government of Canada’s goal to decarbonize the building sector and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While operational emissions from buildings are declining through energy efficiency and adoption of renewables, embodied carbon emissions from the extraction, manufacturing, transport, and disposal of materials remain a critical and often overlooked source of greenhouse gases. The Government of Canada’s Green Building Strategy initiative identifies embodied carbon to represent emissions equal to 20 years of operating emissions with a strong focus on addressing these emissions through low-embodied carbon building materials.
By equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to understand, measure, and reduce, embodied carbon in both new construction and retrofits, this training builds critical capacity to implement national strategies such as life-cycle assessments, low-carbon procurement, and circular economy practices. Participants will gain the skills to make evidence-based material choices that reduce emissions across the full building lifecycle. Beyond emission reductions, this training strengthens Canada’s clean-tech and manufacturing sectors by driving innovation in low-carbon materials and building methods, supporting economic growth and job creation aligned with a net-zero future. In essence, this training translates federal climate commitments into practical section-wide action.
C2R2 is a pan-Canadian coalition of colleges, cégeps, and polytechnics dedicated to bridging the skills gap for a resilient recovery. Our members have the expertise and agility to deliver impactful training programs and applied research that support energy security and sustainability. Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, serves as the Coordinating Secretariat for C2R2, leading national projects and advocacy.