In an effort to increase awareness on climate change among small and medium-sized businesses and increase knowledge of the design, adoption and application of zero carbon buildings, the Government of Canada is providing up to $496,333 in funding to the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) through the Climate Action Fund.

The funding will benefit CaGBC’s 1,000 emerging green-building professional members, including young professionals and students working to make zero carbon buildings the standard.

“The Canada Green Building Council is pleased to be a recipient of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Climate Action Fund, which will support Canada’s role as a leader in constructing zero carbon buildings or retrofitting them,” said Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of CaGBC, in a news release. “This innovation in Canada’s building sector will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the need for fossil fuels, and support the transition to a clean-energy economy. The funding will increase the knowledge and skills of architectural, engineering, technology, and renewable-energy firms in applying low-carbon measures to the design and construction of buildings across Canada.”

The Climate Action Fund provides up to $3 million in support to initiatives that help provide new ideas and innovations to address climate change and encourage others to take action to support the country’s climate goals. The funding is provided to projects delivered by students, youth, Indigenous Peoples and organizations, not-for-profit organizations, small and medium-sized businesses, and research and educational institutions.