Green Building Education in Canada

Professional Credential Courses

Canadian Green Building Council

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

Overview: Introduction to the foundational principles of green building and the LEED rating system.

Audience: Beginners in green building.

Mode: Online materials and exams 


BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

Overview: Focus on a holistic approach to building certification, measuring factors such as health, social impact, and environmental performance.

Provider: BRE (Building Research Establishment).

Mode: Online and in-person.

 

Passive House Canada

Overview: Training on creating highly energy-efficient buildings using techniques like heat recovery and high-performance insulation.

Examples: Controlling Water and Vapour, Passive House Design and Construction, Pathway to Passive House Trades Certification.

Mode: Primarily online.

 

WELL Building Standard

Overview: Training on designing and assessing buildings to enhance health and well-being, based on principles like air, light, and thermal comfort.

Provider: International WELL Building Institute.

Mode: Online.

 

University and College Programs

Ontario

Carleton University

Program: Bachelor’s in Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering.

Focus: Sustainable design practices and green materials.

 

Fanshawe College

Program: Bachelor’s in Environmental Design and Planning.

Focus: Preparing for careers in designing sustainable communities.

 

University of Waterloo

Program: Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering.

Focus: Sustainability engineering, water conservation, sustainable urban development, and waste management.

 

British Columbia

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Program: Bachelor’s degree completion program focusing on sustainable building practices.

Focus: Technical aspects related to building systems and sustainability.

 

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Programs: Undergraduate, masters, and certificate programs in green building and community sustainability.

Focus: Sustainable building technologies, urban sustainability, and community design.

 

Okanagan College 

Programs: Sustainable Building Technology Diploma

Focus: Understand building science, technology, systems thinking and project management to deliver healthy, high-performance buildings

 

Vancouver Island University (VIU)

Program: Advanced diploma in building science.

Focus: Retrofitting old buildings to improve sustainability and energy efficiency.

 

Alberta

University of Alberta

Program: Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences.
Focus: Sustainable land use, restoration ecology, and conservation.

 

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

Program: Diploma in Architectural Technologies and Green Building.

Focus: Sustainable architectural solutions and energy efficiency.

 

Mount Royal University

Program: Bachelor’s in Environmental Sustainability and Society.

Focus: Creating environmentally sustainable policies, designs, and technologies.

 

Quebec

Concordia University

Program: Bachelor’s in Building Engineering.

Focus: Sustainable building practices and renewable energy integration

 

Université de Montréal

Program: Master’s in Architecture and Sustainability.

Focus: Sustainable architectural theory and design.

 

McGill University

Program: Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management and Sustainability.

Focus: Sustainable infrastructure and development.

 

Nova Scotia 

Dalhousie University

Program: Master’s in Environmental Design Studies.

Focus: Sustainable urban architecture and design.

 

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Program: Diploma in Building Environmental Systems Technology.

Focus: Energy management systems and HVAC technologies for energy efficiency.

 

Online Green Building Courses

Calculating the Zero Carbon Balance

Format: Online, on-demand.

Duration: 45 minutes.

Overview: Focus on eliminating a building’s greenhouse gas emissions using renewable energy sources and carbon offsets.

 

Zero Carbon Building Standards Workshops

Format: Online webinar.

Duration: 5 hours (two sessions of 2.5 hours each).

Overview: Covers foundational knowledge of zero-carbon buildings, including the latest standards and transition plans.

 

Renewable Energy and Zero Carbon Buildings

Format: Online, on-demand.

Duration: 1.5 hours.

Overview: Basics of energy-efficient building design and renewable energy strategies.

 

Tackling Energy Use in Your Municipal and Community Buildings

Format: Online webinar.

Duration: Approximately 10 hours.

Overview: Various options focused on community-scale energy solutions and municipal leadership.

 

Better Buildings Bootcamp 2024

Format: Online webinar.

Duration: 4 days (7 hours per day).

Overview: Interactive course on sustainable buildings, including group activities and final presentations.

 

Free Online Green Building Courses

NAIMA Canada

Courses: Various self-paced online courses ideal for those in the insulation business.

Examples: National Insulation and Air Sealing Training Program, Air Barriers for Professionals, Residential Renovation 101.

 

Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Materials and Green Buildings

Format: Online, free.

Overview: Comprehensive course on environmental sustainability and green building materials.

 

In-Person Green Building Workshops

Rammed Earth Workshops 2024

Format: In-person, Cranbrook, BC.

Dates: August 5-9, August 12-16, August 19-23.

Overview: Hands-on