Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
A new report from the Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI) and the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is urging the construction industry to make climate resilience a core part of operations.
Titled Building Resilience: A Guide to Climate Governance for Canada’s Construction Sector, the guide lays out practical steps for leaders in the industry to manage climate risks throughout the entire construction process.
Construction is linked to nearly 30 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, giving the industry a major role in the fight against climate change and in building stronger, more sustainable communities.
“The construction and buildings sector has huge potential to drive change,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA President. “With strong leadership and collaboration, the industry can help create communities that are better prepared for climate challenges.”
While the sector has always dealt with environmental issues, climate change brings more serious threats—like heatwaves, wildfires, and floods—that can delay projects and put lives at risk. The guide encourages companies to take a long-term approach, led by company leadership, to build resilience into everything from project planning and financing to construction and maintenance.
Key messages from the report include:
- Leadership matters: Company directors and senior leaders have the power to make climate issues part of regular business decisions.
- Planning ahead is smart business: Long-term strategies to address climate risks can help companies stay competitive and better prepared for future challenges.
- Everyone has a role to play: From designers and builders to investors and maintenance teams, all parts of the construction process need to work together to improve climate resilience.
“Climate governance is no longer optional,” said Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, the report’s author and a CCLI research scholar. “It’s a must-have for companies that want to stay successful and support the communities they build.”
Amee Sandhu, a CCLI volunteer expert and senior legal counsel at Alstom, added that directors need to understand their responsibilities as expectations from regulators, investors, and the public continue to grow. “This guide helps construction leaders navigate the changing legal and ethical landscape.”
The report offers clear, step-by-step guidance for companies of all sizes. It includes legal insights, risk management tools, and advice for boards and executives looking to build climate action into their everyday work.
“Directors have a key role to play,” Gilbert said. “This guide helps them lead with confidence and support the shift to a low-carbon, climate-ready economy.”
Read the full guide here: Download the report
