Canada’s Climate Plan: A Roadmap for Property and Sustainability Managers

Canada’s climate goals are ambitious—and the clock is ticking. As part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, Canada has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40–45% below 2005 levels by 2030, on the path to achieving net-zero by 2050. These aren’t just federal targets—they’re part of a global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

For property and sustainability managers, this means adopting measurable sustainability strategies across building operations, upgrades, and tenant engagement. This article outlines how Canada’s climate policies apply to commercial buildings and offers a structured roadmap for implementation.

Why Your Role Matters Right Now

As a property or sustainability manager, you’ve probably noticed how much expectations have changed in the last few years. Tenants are asking about energy use. Owners are asking about ESG. Governments are rolling out new rules. And through it all, you’re doing your best to keep systems running—some of which were never designed with efficiency or emissions in mind.

Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan puts buildings squarely in the spotlight. For new construction, the expectation is a 59% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. That includes serious upgrades to heating, cooling, and lighting systems. And for existing buildings? The focus is clear: do everything you can to reduce emissions—and prove it.

But the process isn’t meant to be overwhelming. It starts with one crucial step: understanding where you stand.

What an Assessment Can Actually Do for You

If you're not sure where to go next, schedule an Energy or Carbon Assessment. These are also called an ASHRAE Level 2 Assessment. If you are thinking of a more deeper study, you may also opt for a Deep Energy and Carbon Retrofit Study, also called an ASHRAE level 3 Assessment. Seriously—it’s one of the most useful tools you can bring into your work.

An assessment isn't just about checking a box. It gives you a tailored picture of how your building is performing today, and more importantly, what needs to happen to reduce its emissions tomorrow. You get real data—not just assumptions—and a roadmap that’s built for your property, not someone else's.

Yes, it might confirm what you already know: that old gas boiler is on borrowed time, or your lighting system hasn’t been updated in a decade. But assessments often uncover less obvious opportunities, like optimizing how your HVAC runs during off-hours, or catching energy loss in places you hadn’t considered.

You walk away with a set of actions you can actually work with—sequenced, costed, and often eligible for rebates or grants. For many, that’s the difference between being stuck and making progress.

What If You’ve Done Everything—and Still Aren’t There?

Many energy efficient buildings reach a point where most of the obvious improvements have been made—smart controls are in place, systems have been electrified, and tenants are engaged. And yet, you're still not net-zero. That’s a common reality in the commercial property world, especially with older assets or mixed-use spaces.

So what’s next?

Start by looking beyond the building envelope. Procuring clean electricity through renewable energy contracts or renewable energy certificates (RECs) allows you to align your power source with Canada’s climate goals, even if you're still on the standard utility grid. These tools help reduce Scope 2 emissions and improve your overall emissions profile.

You can also look to the voluntary carbon market. Purchasing high-quality carbon credits—from verified sources like Gold Standard, Verra, or CSA Group—allows you to invest in real emissions reduction projects beyond your property. While these credits don’t reduce your on-site footprint, they can compensate for the emissions you haven’t been able to eliminate.

A few guiding principles:

• Use credits only after operational reductions and renewable energy procurement

• Make sure credits are verified, additional, and permanent

• Disclose your strategy transparently to owners, tenants, and stakeholders

Carbon credits are not a shortcut, but they are a recognized part of achieving net-zero carbon buildings, especially when paired with a strong foundation of green building practices.

Lastly, remember that your tenants are part of the equation. Plug loads, server rooms, and discretionary equipment use often account for a large portion of total energy use. Green leases, shared sustainability goals, and tenant education campaigns can unlock further reductions without capital investment.

Getting to net-zero isn’t just about technology. It’s about leadership, partnerships, and persistence. For property managers and sustainability leads, it’s about using every tool—data, strategy, and policy—to help your building reach its highest performance potential.

Policy Is Catching Up—Fast

The pressure to act isn’t just coming from investors or occupants. Government policy is moving quickly from suggestion to expectation.

By 2025, building code changes will begin to require new developments to meet net-zero-ready standards. Carbon pricing is going up, making fossil fuel use more expensive every year. And performance reporting—once limited to government buildings—is expanding to the private sector.

If you’re not already benchmarking energy use, now’s the time to start. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a free tool that’s already used across the industry. It’s where future reporting requirements are likely headed. Even if you’re not mandated to use it yet, getting your data in order now will save you time and stress later.

Don’t Know Where to Start? Here’s a Realistic Approach

You don’t need a massive budget or a dedicated ESG department to start aligning with Canada’s climate plan.

If you’re just beginning:

• Start with your utility bills. Understand how much energy your building uses, and when.

• Schedule a basic energy audit.

• Look for low-cost fixes—like lighting upgrades, smart thermostats, or better setpoint control.

  
  

If you’re further along:

• Focus on your HVAC systems and building envelope.

• Explore electrification—can gas equipment be replaced with a heat pump?

• Start conversations about EV charging infrastructure.

  
  

If your building is already efficient:

• Explore clean power procurement and renewable energy options.

• Engage tenants in shared goals.

• Consider third-party verification or certifications to benchmark and validate your progress.

  
  

Wherever you are, the key is to keep going. Sustainability is an ongoing process, not a one-time project.

You're Not Just Running a Building—You're Leading Change

Your role isn’t just operational anymore. You’re helping owners manage risk. You’re helping tenants meet their own climate goals. You’re translating policy into practice. And you're building the case for investments that make buildings smarter, healthier, and more sustainable.

Sometimes that work is big and visible—like a major retrofit. Sometimes it’s behind the scenes—like recalibrating equipment or collecting data. But all of it counts.

The work you do every day is part of something bigger than one property or one company. It's part of Canada’s broader transition to a low-carbon economy. And that’s something to be proud of.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s climate plan isn’t just about hitting targets—it’s about rethinking how buildings fit into the world we want to live in. For property managers and sustainability leads, that means adapting, innovating, and collaborating in new ways.

You don’t need to do it all at once. But you do need to start—and keep moving.

Follow Your Green Change for practical strategies focused on sustainable real estate, energy efficient buildings, and realistic paths to a low-carbon future. Because your next move matters.