The Future of Green Building: Predicting the Trends for 2030 and Beyond
- Simo D
- Oct 21
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Originally published to Green Building Canada on November 27, 2024
The Green building industry is rapidly evolving, transforming how we interact with and live in our built environment. It encompasses the physical materials and products we use, the industries that manufacture them, and the regulatory bodies that govern their use. As new materials and technologies emerge and advance, they significantly influence all facets of construction.
As climate change intensifies and resource scarcity grows, sustainable building practices are no longer an option—they’re necessary. Major initiatives like climate goals, technological innovation and adoption, and government regulations are coming together to drive the industry forward.
2030 is a pivotal target year for many climate commitments. It is seen as a tipping point to get the world on track for more substantial climate initiatives and net-zero emissions by mid-century. As builders and consumers, it's essential to contribute meaningfully to climate initiatives to ensure that future generations have healthy, well-built buildings. According to the CGBC, the critical areas for improving the industry include human health, decarbonization, energy efficiency, the use of healthy and sustainable materials, innovative technologies, and net-zero goals.
As we approach the official halfway point of this decade, it's an excellent time to assess the green building industry's current state and inquire about its future direction. So, in the flowing article, we will take a wide-angle approach to where the industry is headed as a whole, looking into emerging materials and technologies, building methods and practices, and regulatory initiatives. This article aims to instill hope that humanity can take the reins on climate change and achieve healthier dwellings inside and out for 2030 and beyond.
Healthy Buildings, Healthy Occupants
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a foundational aspect of green building, as poor air quality can exacerbate health issues like asthma and allergies. As we move toward 2030, green building practices will likely continue emphasizing IAQ by using non-toxic materials, like low-VOC paints and adhesives, which release fewer pollutants into the air. Improved ventilation systems are also critical, ensuring a consistent, clean airflow. Canadians are increasingly adopting Air Quality Management systems (AQM), with sensors that detect particulate matter, CO₂, and other pollutants to help maintain optimal air quality levels.
Biophilic Design and Natural Light
Biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into buildings, is becoming vital to green construction. Studies show that access to natural light, plants, and outdoor views can improve mental well-being and reduce stress. By 2030, biophilic design will likely be a standard in building practice, especially as more Canadians recognize its impact on mental health. For example, green roofs and living walls are already installed in commercial spaces across Canada, like that on the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre—the most extensive green roof in the country—to boost urban greenery, reduce noise pollution, and improve air quality.
Decarbonizing the Industry
Reducing Embodied Carbon
Embodied carbon refers to the CO₂ emissions associated with producing building materials. Innovative solutions, like those developed by Halifax-based CarbonCure, that capture and store carbon dioxide in ready-mix concrete have changed how we pour concrete. By injecting CO₂ into concrete, where it mineralizes, they improve compressive strength and lower the carbon footprint without impacting quality or performance. As regulations push for lower emissions, carbon-reducing materials like these will become standard in the industry, helping Canada move toward its emissions targets.
Lifecycle Assessment Tools
Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) allow builders to evaluate the total environmental impact of materials from production to disposal. Tools like the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) help architects and engineers choose materials with the lowest carbon footprint. By 2030, using LCAs is expected to be widespread in North America and elsewhere, providing a systematic approach to assessing and reducing emissions across a building’s lifecycle.
Policy and Market Drivers
Canada’s climate policies, such as the federal carbon tax and the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, drive demand for low-carbon construction. These policies incentivize using sustainable materials, encouraging builders, architects, and engineers to prioritize materials and methods with lower emissions. The Canadian government’s 2050 emissions targets, which include substantial reductions in construction emissions, will eventually make carbon-conscious construction practices a requirement rather than a choice.
Resource Efficient Dwellings
Building Design and Insulation
Efficiency is essential to reducing operational emissions. Designs that incorporate passive heating, airtight envelopes, and superior insulation, like those enshrined in Passive House standards, will significantly lower the average building's energy use. By 2030, these principles may become standard for residential and commercial buildings, reducing the demand for heating and cooling.
Efficient Building Systems
Advanced HVAC systems, LED lighting, and automation technologies have transformed building energy efficiency. Smart thermostats and lighting systems adapt in real-time to reduce unnecessary energy use while maintaining occupant comfort.
As new, more efficient technologies emerge, they will also become standardized as the program evolves. We will likely see more LEED standards become mandatory, as evident in current trends in cities like Toronto, where the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) sets performance measures for building sites and designs in new development projects. Compliance with the TGS, which aligns with many LEED criteria, is mandatory, ensuring that projects meet specific sustainability benchmarks.
With energy costs and carbon pricing expected to rise, Canadian LEED projects increasingly prioritize energy-saving technologies that meet or exceed LEED requirements. As a result, these certified buildings minimize energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing operating costs while supporting Canada’s climate goals.
A Greater Consideration for Water
Water use and conservation are other areas where a building’s resource consumption will improve. Greywater recycling involves collecting and treating wastewater from sources like showers, baths, and laundry for reuse in non-potable applications such as toilet flushing and irrigation.
This practice reduces freshwater consumption and decreases the burden on sewage systems. For example, the City of Guelph conducted a residential greywater recycling study that resulted in a 30% reduction in household water use. As regulations and codes align, we will likely see a greater adoption of these systems.
Another promising technology in water conservation is Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG), which extracts moisture from the air to produce potable water. While primarily used in disaster relief and remote regions, this technology is gaining traction in North America. Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, recently implemented an AWG system on campus to provide a sustainable water source, demonstrating the technology's applicability in mainstream applications and contributing to sustainable water management and conservation.
Green Building Trends Towards Healthy and Sustainable Materials for 2030
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials, like recycled concrete, have emerged as a viable solution to reduce the need for virgin resources and help to cut construction waste. Canada has made significant strides in promoting recycled materials, with organizations such as Circular Economy Leadership Canada leading initiatives to support material reuse. This trend will likely grow as recycled materials become cheaper and more widely available, reducing landfill waste and conserving resources.
Bio-Based Materials
Bio-based materials, such as bamboo, hempcrete, and mass timber, are gaining traction for their renewability and low environmental impact. These materials are renewable and carbon sequestering and have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials like steel and concrete. Bamboo and cross-laminated lumber perform better in specific applications than their steel counterparts due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. By 2030, mass timber and other bio-based materials will be more popular, especially as they align with national and global carbon reduction goals.
Innovative Technologies
IoT and Building Automation
Internet of Things (IoT) systems increasingly optimize Canadian buildings by tracking energy use, occupancy, and environmental conditions in real time. IoT-connected HVAC, lighting, and other systems can adjust automatically to reduce waste and lower operational costs. With the integration of data analytics and predictive maintenance, building managers can monitor performance, anticipate maintenance needs, and prevent costly repairs, extending the lifespan of systems and enhancing efficiency. This technology is being deployed country-wide, from The Exchange Tower and MaRS Discovery District in Toronto to the TELUS Garden in Vancouver. By 2030, IoT and predictive analytics will increasingly become the standard across Canadian buildings, supporting sustainability and resource conservation.
Advancement in Photovoltaics
Recent advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology, such as perovskite-silicon tandem cells, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and transparent, flexible solar panels, are transforming how we capture solar energy. These innovations allow buildings to generate energy directly through facades, windows, and rooftops, enhancing energy efficiency and creating unique architectural aesthetics. With increasing regulatory support and efficiency gains, solar power will become a more cost-effective and attractive option by 2030, making buildings we occupy active contributors to renewable energy generation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Building a Sustainable Future
The green building industry is at the forefront of transformative change, driven by materials, technology, and advancements in sustainable practices. As we approach the critical benchmark next decade, we will see an increased alignment with global climate goals to reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and prioritize human health. By embracing green building trends on our way to 2030, Canada’s construction industry can build resilient, eco-friendly spaces that address the needs of people and the planet, paving the way for a sustainable future well beyond 2030.
Comments