Project Overview

As cities around the world work toward reducing their environmental impact, the building sector stands out as a key area of focus. While much of the attention has historically been on operational carbon, as buildings become more energy-efficient, the proportion of carbon emissions from embodied carbon is expected to rise, making it a key target for climate action.

In Vancouver, the City’s climate action policies are pushing the industry to rethink how we design and build, placing greater emphasis on reducing embodied carbon through regulatory measures. While there’s a common misconception that lowering embodied carbon drives up costs, this isn’t the case. Many low-carbon strategies -like optimizing material use, selecting locally available products, or reusing existing structures – can reduce both emissions and costs. With embodied carbon reduction limits now being introduced for new Part 3 buildings, developers and architects have a powerful opportunity: to lead with smart, climate-aligned design choices that don’t sacrifice function or affordability but rather enhance long-term project value.

The link between carbon reduction and construction cost isn’t one-size-fits-all; it depends heavily on the strategies and materials chosen. Some decisions may increase costs, but many can lower them. That’s why it’s critical to evaluate the financial impact of embodied carbon strategies early in the process. With the right approach, it’s entirely possible to align climate goals with project budgets and even unlock cost savings in the process.

This 19-storey residential building in Vancouver, currently at the building permit stage, achieves a low embodied carbon intensity of 334 kgCO₂e/m². This reflects a 12% reduction in emissions, meeting the 10% target, with total embodied carbon estimated at 4,054 tCO₂e, demonstrating the ability to balance substantial reductions in embodied carbon while managing costs effectively.