Sustainable Buildings

In this 30-hour course, participants will learn about sustainability, how it relates to the built environment, and how buildings contribute to climate change. Participants will also explore how buildings can be made more energy efficient and greener through recommissioning, retrofitting, and renewal. ​The course introduces basic energy calculations and terminology along with strategies for energy use reduction and awareness of regulations, policies, and sustainability standards for future retrofits. Key topics include carbon footprint analysis, building enclosure control layers, occupant health and wellness rating systems, waste management, and green retrofitting strategies such as heat recovery and low-carbon electrification.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.

Through case studies, energy audits, and industry-based assignments, students analyze current and emerging technological trends such as IoT, automation, and digital energy management. Instructional strategies include scenario-based learning, group activities, vendor and tenant interviews, guest speakers, and site visits.

​​Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• ​Identify social, economic, and environmental factors that relate to sustainability.
• ​Describe climate change and its impact on the built environment.
• ​Define key energy and green-building terminology (e.g., EUI, benchmarking).
• ​Explain how HVAC and automation technologies affect energy use and efficiency.
• ​List current trends and emerging technologies in building sustainability.
• ​Explain how energy audits, benchmarking, energy studies, and energy saving measures reduce costs and emissions.
• ​Explain how recommissioning, retrofitting, and renewal strategies to improve building efficiency and performance.
• ​Assessment methods include:
• ​Quizzes/Tests (20%)
• ​Energy audit assignment (20-30%)
• ​Building upgrading/modernization assignment (20-30%)
• ​Presentation or report applying concepts to real buildings (20-30%)

The Sustainable Buildings course directly reinforces the mission, vision, and values of the Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery by equipping learners with the practical skills needed to accelerate Canada’s shift toward a low‑carbon economy. Through training that emphasizes energy assessment, participants gain the ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend retrofit strategies that meaningfully reduce emissions in the built environment. By learning to apply key standards such as ASHRAE, the NECB, and the BC Energy Step Code, they help advance consistent, high‑performance building practices that align with national climate goals. The course also strengthens participants’ capacity to interpret sustainability policies and incentives, enabling more informed operational decisions that support long‑term environmental and economic resilience. Finally, by engaging with smart building technologies, learners are prepared to implement innovative solutions that lower greenhouse gas emissions while reducing operating costs. Together, these competencies embody the CCRR’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable, future‑focused change across Canada’s building sector.