We developed these resources for CAGBC’s Transition Planning Now initiative, funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Codes Acceleration Fund, to support building owners in decarbonizing existing buildings and achieving the highest performance tiers of the National Energy Code for Buildings.
Industry Engagement Drives Resource Development
RDH led the development of both resources through a multi-tiered industry engagement process involving more than 100 industry professionals. These efforts included an industry survey, a focus group, ongoing input from a multidisciplinary advisory group, and input from a building professional working with Indigenous communities. We used this approach so both resources would be intentionally developed by industry, for industry.
RDH synthesized this industry input to identify practical needs and outcomes that could be delivered within the project scope, grounding the resources in real-world constraints and current practice. The engagement findings encouraged consistent use of industry decarbonization terminology, clarification of common decarbonization misconceptions, adaptability for varying grids across Canada, and inclusivity of varying building typologies and owner needs.
This work was supported by RDH’s deep technical expertise and experience with building decarbonization and transition planning across building systems, enclosures, and long-term capital planning.
The resulting guide presents a clear, flexible four-stage framework for transition planning that balances technical rigor with financial realism and real-world constraints. As we were finalizing the guide’s development, we undertook the design and development of an in-person workshop series to support the guide’s implementation. Together, the guide and workshops advance actionable, industry-informed pathways for building decarbonization.
Guide Provides a Flexible Framework for Decarbonization
RDH developed the four-stage transition planning framework for the Carbon Transition Planning Guide by working closely with CAGBC to meet their program goals and align with their brand. The framework we developed supports long-term decision-making while accounting for capital renewal cycles, occupant needs, regional grid differences, and effective communication. In addition to emissions reduction, it integrates co-benefits such as climate resilience, occupant comfort, environmental justice, and affordability.
Designed for practitioners working on existing Part 3 buildings across Canada, the guide supports commercial, non-profit, municipal, and Indigenous community-owned assets, whether considered individually or as portfolios. Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, it offers a flexible, step-by-step framework adaptable to different regions, energy systems, building types, and ownership models. The guide supports practitioners by prioritizing high-impact retrofit opportunities, providing flexibility for regional and grid-specific conditions, and facilitating clearer, value-based communication with owners and stakeholders.
Hands-On Workshops Support Implementation
To support real-world application of the guide, RDH and CAGBC developed the Transition Planning Now Workshop Series for live delivery in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, plus one online delivery. Hosted by CAGBC and presented by RDH’s building science specialists, the workshops were designed to move beyond theory and build practitioner confidence on the “how” of transition planning.
In the live workshops, architects, engineers, and sustainability professionals participated in collaborative, multidisciplinary sessions structured around a series of trainee-selected case studies and guided by the four-stage framework. Participants worked in small groups using owner and building information and practical worksheets, with discussion formats adapted to each session. The sessions focused on identifying building/portfolio-specific decarbonization risks, challenges, and opportunities; identifying and recommending decarbonization and energy conservation measures aligned with capital renewal plans; and communicating the value proposition of building decarbonization to building/portfolio decision-makers. The first three workshops were delivered in English and offered optional French interpretation, while the Montreal workshop was delivered in French by two RDH bilingual specialists.
Each four-hour workshop provided GBCI-approved continuing education credits and emphasized alignment between sustainability strategies and long-term financial planning. By combining practical tools, peer learning, and live discussion, the workshops reinforced the guide’s core message: effective carbon transition planning is achievable with clear frameworks, shared language, and practitioner-led learning.
The Transition Planning Now site hosts the guide and related transition planning resources: https://www.transitionplanningnow.ca/
