Sustainable Buildings Canada 20th Anniversary
As a not-for-profit organization, we are a collective of leading sustainable building experts dedicated to helping the industry achieve higher levels of performance in both new and retrofit projects.
For 20 years, we have been delivering integrated design workshop and training sessions to help the building industry create more comprehensive, robust, and environmentally sustainable designs.
The integrated design process (IDP) is a collaborative process that focuses on the design, construction, operation, and occupancy of a building over its complete life cycle, identifying ways to achieve greater environmental performance as its key outcome
We’re an event-based organization – bringing together international sustainability thought leaders and offering attendees access to best-in-class techniques that are practical and cost effective
We continue to refine our custom workshops to be more effective for key stakeholders across Canada
Our programs are often subsidized by like-minded industry partners such as Enbridge, Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and we continuously explore ways to broaden our reach and partnerships
20 Facts About SBC
We run integrated design workshops
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We share industry information
We create jobs
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We curate a network of Sustainable Buildings Subject Matter Experts
We provide networking opportunities
We provide unique opportunities for students
We advise across a multitude of sectors
We develop training programs
We educate and advise on building code development and implementation
We fund and publish research through our white paper series
We host the annual Green Building Festival
We are an organization dedicated to continuous learning and sharing
We are a mid-size, volunteer, not for profit NGO founded in 2003
We inspire our stakeholders to do great work
We provide sector support to a multitude of stakeholders
We provide unbiased advice
Last 4 Facts Coming Soon!
SBC was Born
Sustainable Buildings Canada was formed in 2003 by a group of people who, having spent their careers in the energy and building sectors, thought that significantly more could be done to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
First Green Building Festival
The annual Green Building Festival began in 2005 as a combined effort from SBC, the CUI, CaGBC (Toronto), and the TRCA.
The GBF brings together experts in energy efficiency, building science, and building management with architects, engineers, designers, and sustainability experts to hear and discuss a wide range of topics with a different theme every year.
Since it began, the GBF has hosted hundreds of speakers on a wide range of topics ranging from technical to inspirational.
GBF / IIDEX / NEOCON
For the 5th Green Building Festival in 2009, SBC partnered with IIDEX/NeoCon for Canada’s largest exposition and conference for the design, construction and management of the built environment.
Enbridge Savings by Design Launched
SBC worked with Enbridge to develop Savings by Design, an IDP-based program that brings together the many stakeholders in a building project for a holistic approach to improving building energy efficiency and design.
The program now has three streams (residential, commercial & multi-residential, and affordable housing) and has helped improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of projects.
First SBD Incentive Awarded
Zancor Homes received the first Savings by Design program incentive of $100,000 for reducing energy consumption by 25% below code at their residential development in King City.
Toronto 2030 District
In partnership with Architecture 2030 and the Ontario Association of Architects, SBC formed Canada’s first 2030 District. This approach to climate action involves a community approach to emissions reductions by bringing together people and organizations within an urban area to foster collective efforts at energy efficiency.
The Toronto 2030 District is now an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and staff.
Energiesprong
Originally created in the Netherlands, Energiesprong (Energy Leap) is a residential retrofit program with a focus on large-scale prefabricated solutions to energy efficiency.
SBC brought the program to Canada and worked with ONPHA, Posterity Group, Arborus Consulting, the Pembina Institute, and Natural Resources Canada to workshop the approach in Ottawa and Toronto.
2030 District Summit
In 2016, SBC hosted the annual 2030 District Summit, bringing delegates from around the world to Toronto.
Sessions included updates from 2030 Districts across North America, best practices on data collection and benchmarking, and recommendations of approaches to membership and fundraising. 
Student Bursary Awards
SBC launched Education and Training Bursaries with the intent to improve the environmental performance of the built environment through education, training and programming.
Three recipients every year are awarded $1,000 toward their education. More than 20 bursaries have been awarded since 2016.
Read MoreJanuary 2016All-Women SBD Workshop
SBC had the opportunity to organize and facilitate the first all-women Enbridge Savings by Design workshop.
Watch on YouTubeFebruary 2018Energy COMPASS
The Energy COMPASS tool was developed by RWDI in partnership with OAA, Toronto 2030 District and SBC with funding from TAF and the IESO.
This tool provides streamlined energy benchmarking and reporting tool for new construction projects at the design stage.
Better Buildings Boot Camp
In August 2020, SBC ran the first Better Buildings Boot Camp with more than 25 graduate students from Canadian universities.
The BBBC brings together subject matter experts, designers, building owners, and students for a week of detailed discussion and analysis of a proposed building.
Register or Learn MoreAugust 2020
SBC Re-branding
2022 brought an image change for Sustainable Buildings Canada.
A new logo and updated website reflect the great changes in the building sector since SBC began.
1st Annual Charity Bike Ride
SBC’s first charity bike ride was organized as a team for the Bike for Brain Health. Our team had a beautiful day to ride the 50km route on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway and raised more than $2000 for The Baycrest Foundation.
