2024-2025 Summary Results
In the first year of the Responsible Buildings Pact we grew from 20 initial participants to 40 signatories and supporters. Year 1 reporting results show the impacts of companies putting in place processes to actively consider and use lower carbon concrete.
What is the Responsible Buildings Pact?
Using existing technology, it’s possible to reduce the embodied emissions of buildings by 40 percent – but only if we use it.
The Responsible Buildings Pact is a voluntary cross-industry agreement aimed at ensuring that lower carbon materials are consistently considered and used when appropriate. By establishing processes to encourage companies to use lower carbon materials and designs whenever possible, the Pact will help bring more low-carbon materials online and accelerate the transition to a sustainable built environment.
Through the Pact, which includes developers, consultants, contractors, and supporters, we will de-risk sustainable actions, create a culture of shared accountability for material decisions, and drive continually higher professional standards.
In its first year (2024-25), Pact signatories pilot tested consideration and reporting processes on a limited number of projects and only focusing on concrete. In year two (2025-26) we’re expanding to include bulk steel elements (i.e. rebar, decking, siding, clading).
The Pact operates according Year Two Terms of Reference, which contains implementation principles, change management supports for signatories joining the Pact for their first year and the full materials schedule.
Responsible Buildings Pact Signatories & Supporters
Since launching in June 2024, 40 organizations have joined the Responsible Buildings Pact as a signatory or supporter.
We’d love to have your organization involved too! For more information reach out to pact@buildingsalliance.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Responsible Buildings Pact accepting new signatories? How do I get involved?
Absolutely! The more companies involved, the greater impact we can make in advancing the sustainability culture within the industry. If you’re interested in joining, please email us to discuss next steps.
What types of companies can join the Responsible Buildings Pact?
The Pact aims to create market demand for lower carbon materials, focusing on downstream companies that either directly use & purchase materials or design buildings and thereby influence the specifications.
We categorize signatories into three groups: developers (i.e., project owners), consultants (i.e., project designers such as architects, engineers, etc.), and contractors (i.e., project implementers).
Other building sector entities, including material manufacturers, financial sector firms, and industry associations, may be invited to join the Pact under a supporters tier by invitation. However, the core focus is on material users and designers.
Does joining the Pact mean my company will have to use low carbon materials on every project ?
No. Signatories should always use the appropriate material for the project, and considerations such as cost, performance, and availability are valid reasons for choosing higher carbon materials. The Pact requires that signatories consistently consider lower carbon options and justify their decisions through public reporting.
The goal isn’t perfection but transparency about the challenges everyone faces. By sharing solutions, we increase the likelihood of identifying scenarios where low carbon materials are viable now and in the future.
Can my company join if we're at the early stages of our sustainability journey?
Absolutely – the Pact is designed to meet companies where they are today. As long as you’re committed to being open with your peers and actively trying to see where you can make low carbon options make sense, we’d be delighted to have you join us.
Will the Pact require my company to disclose sensitive or competitive information to competitors?
No. The Pact is designed with input from a diverse group of companies, including competitors, to ensure all reporting safeguards competitiveness. Collaboration among competitors is a key objective.
A community governance and accountability structure will make sustainable business practices less risky, as all participants, including your competitors, will be committed to asking the same questions, likely making similar recommendations and striving to do the right thing.
How much does it cost to participate in the Responsible Buildings Pact?
Currently, the Climate Smart Buildings Alliance sponsors the Pact, and there is no fee for signatory companies to participate . In the future, we may introduce a participation fee to cover expenses, but this will be determined collaboratively with all signatories.
What is the time commitment for a company to participate in the Pact?
Signatories need to allocate time to fulfill the three core commitments: staying educated, implementing a Low Carbon Material Consideration/Low Carbon Design Consideration (LCMC/LCDC) process, and annual reporting.
The primary time investment involves establishing an internal LCMC/LCDC process and a reporting framework to track outcomes. During year two (2025-26) each company aims to complete LCMC/LCDC processes for five projects, depending on their schedule – although some will do more. We have established quality standard principles for LCMC/LCDC processes which you can read in our Terms of Reference.
CSBA schedules full Pact meetings roughly quarterly for approximately 90 mins to share best practices on LCMC/LCDC processes, and agree on governance and reporting approaches. All signatories have the opportunity to present at Pact meetings.
Does the Responsible Buildings Pact duplicate or overlap with other industry sustainability initiatives like SE2030 or AIA2050?
The Responsible Buildings Pact is a unique company-level commitment that spans the building-construction value chain. Our aim is to align closely with existing initiatives to simplify participation and compliance for those already involved in such efforts. For instance, our March 31 reporting deadline aligns with those of SE2030.
We also hope that the Pact will facilitate the sharing of good practices from these initiatives across the value chain.