BCIT report shows how real estate leaders are turning climate goals into action

Canadian commercial real estate organizations increasingly recognize the need to address climate change. The challenge now is turning climate goals and risk assessments into practical decisions about buildings, budgets, operations, and investment.

A new industry report released by the BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings Learning Centre examines how Canadian real estate leaders are moving from climate planning to practical action.

The report, Unlocking Business Value through Climate-Aligned Building Asset Management, was conducted by ClimateFirst Building Solutions and draws on interviews with senior leaders from 10 Canadian real estate organizations. These leaders represent public and private ownership, investment management, development, building operations, and a range of asset classes.

Moving from climate strategy to business decisions

The report identifies nine lessons showing how climate considerations are beginning to move from high-level strategies into everyday business and asset-management decisions.

Among the key findings:

• Climate action needs a clear business case. Initiatives are more likely to advance when organizations connect climate information to priorities such as risk, operating performance, lifecycle costs, business continuity, and asset value.
• Accountability matters. Identifying climate risk does not necessarily mean organizations have the authority or budget to act. Clear ownership and decision-making pathways are critical.
• Implementation remains a major challenge. Many organizations have assessments and plans in place but lack the capacity to turn them into funded projects and operational changes.
• Capital planning creates opportunities. Organizations can use equipment replacement, maintenance, procurement, and building renewal as opportunities to make climate-aligned investments.
• Collaboration is essential. Organizations make the most progress when climate information connects engineering, finance, operations, asset management, and organizational leadership.

Together, the findings suggest that successful climate-aligned asset management depends on making climate information relevant to business decisions and building climate action into existing processes.

Turning research into applied learning

To help industry professionals put these lessons into practice, the BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings Learning Centre is piloting the Unlocking Business Value through Climate-Aligned Building Asset Management microcredential.

Designed for building owners, asset and facilities managers, capital planners, sustainability professionals, engineers, consultants, and business leaders, the three-course microcredential helps participants develop practical skills for climate-aligned building asset management.

Participants learn to assess climate-related risks and opportunities, develop climate-aligned portfolio roadmaps, evaluate investment options, and build stronger business cases for their organization.

The pilot cohort begins October 15, 2026, with eligible participants receiving a 100% tuition waiver for the full microcredential.

The microcredential was made possible through funding and support from the Government of Canada, Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC), and BC Hydro.