Published: July 2024
Organization: Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada (TBS) & Ha/f Climate Design
Format: PDF
Estimated Reading Time: 60–90 minutes (Full primer: 29 pages — structured for reference and deep dives by concept and project phase)
Why We Recommend It?
This is one of the most practical and well-structured guides for design and construction professionals looking to reduce both operational and embodied carbon.
The primer introduces key concepts of whole-life carbon, including life cycle assessment, operational and embodied carbon, and emissions at end-of-life. It applies these concepts across all project phases — from pre-design through construction and occupancy — using practical tools like the hierarchy of mitigation and building layers of structure, skin, and services.
With carbon reduction strategies embedded into targeted phase-by-phase decision-making questions, this is a comprehensive and applicable reference for integrating carbon-conscious choices into every stage of a project.
Audience-Specific
For Building Owners & Developers
Key Takeaways:
- Embodied carbon is gaining traction in policy at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels — staying ahead means planning for it now.
- Taking a structured, phased approach allows project teams to balance cost, carbon, and long-term performance more effectively.
- Early-stage decisions — from reuse potential to space requirements — have an outsized impact on both environmental outcomes and overall project resilience.
Recommended Reading:
- Pages 5–6 – Overview of Canadian and international policy context
- Pages 7–13 – Key concepts of whole-life carbon
- Pages 17–18 – Hierarchy of mitigation and high-impact early decisions
For Designers & Consultants
Key Takeaways:
- Explores the intricacies and interconnectedness of each construction phase, demonstrating how a systematic approach is crucial to reducing environmental impacts while still meeting broader project goals.
- Offers a comprehensive and practical framework for evaluating decisions at each stage, grounded in the hierarchy of mitigation and carbon impact potential.
- Especially useful for architects, structural engineers, façade specialists, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) consultants, with targeted guidance on the three building layers that contribute most to carbon and cost: Structure, Skin, and Services.
Recommended Reading:
- The whole primer
Next Steps & Related Reading...
- Curious about funding opportunities? Explore Funding & Financing Resources for projects targeting embodied carbon reductions.
- Want real-world proof? See Case Study where smart design and material choices have lowered embodied emissions.
- Looking for low-carbon materials? Visit our Materials, Energy & Technology section for evolving tools and guidance.