This section contains information about programs that have been developed that  legislate that certain green building measures must be implemented on any new construction project.

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS:

Public Works Canada

PWGSC, through Real Property Services (RPS), manages the activities related to the Sustainable Development Strategy/Environmental Management System (SDS/EMS) of building operations in over 2500 facilities. Information from this program forms part of the annual reports to Parliament by each federal department. This initiative will provide clients with an interactive, on-line total-reporting system to monitor SDS performance.

The intent of RPS’s environmental-services portfolio is to help federal departments cost-effectively “green” their operations. In 1998-1999, as a result of this program, 12 000 tonnes of waste were diverted from landfill. RPS assists departments across Canada with the management of their due diligence and risk, as well as integrating pollution-prevention practices into their operations.

PWGSC requires the use of either BREEAM or LEED in all projects, and LEED for projects over $10 million.

PROVINCIAL:

Province of British Columbia

Green Buildings BC is a provincial initiative enabling BC's education and health care agencies to dramatically increase the performance of their new and existing buildings through two programs: new buildings, and retrofit.
This initiative is funded by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health Services, BC Hydro and BC Buildings Corporation.

Province of Quebec

Currently in the process of conforming to LEED in new construction and renovation projects.

MUNICIPAL:

City of Vancouver

Following several years of work on a wide variety of sustainability initiatives, in April 2002, the City adopted a formal position, definition and principles on sustainability, which states:

• A sustainable Vancouver is a community that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• It is a place where people live, work and prosper in a vibrant community of communities. In such a community, sustainability is achieved through community participation and the reconciliation of short and long term economic, social and ecological well-being.

• Sustainability is a direction rather than a destination. A sustainable city is one that protects and enhances the immediate and long-term well being of a city and its citizens, while providing the highest quality of life possible.

• Sustainability requires integrated decision-making that takes into account economic, ecological, and social impacts as a whole.

Vancouver has started many city-wide initiatives that include new developments to be LEED certified.

2010 Vancouver Olympic Bid

The Bid proposes to incorporate the principles of environmental sustainability into all aspects of planning and preparation. Environmental practices that are proposed include: green buildings and community planning standards; sustainable transportation initiatives; energy efficiency and use of renewable energy; water conservation, air quality and greenhouse gas management; waste minimization; and protection and enhancement of natural landscapes. All venues and facilities constructed or renovated in Vancouver would comply with applicable City of Vancouver bylaws and provincial and federal environmental legislation, and be built to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements, an industry standard for using green building and design elements.

City of Calgary

The City of Calgary is committed to becoming an environmentally sustainable community by providing the leadership to conserve, protect and improve the environment for the benefit of Calgarians and the regional community. The City of Calgary will integrate sustainable social, economic and environmental objectives into a co-ordinated decision-making process to maintain high standards of living, social harmony and environmental quality. All city-owned buildings in Calgary must now be LEED Certified.

City of Kingston

The city of Kingston is making it mandatory that all large municipal buildings and retrofit project set LEED as a design goal.

Perth

The city of Perth, Ontario has started an initiative called EcoPerth. This initiative is to show that a small town in Canada can make an impact on climate change and all issues to do with sustainable living.

UNITED STATES:

U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Part of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's integrated portfolio of programs, the Building Technologies Program works to improve the efficiency of buildings and the equipment, components, and systems within them. The building program demonstrates the bottom-line benefits of new technologies and building practices, and promotes their widespread use.

Federal Energy Management Program

Work to reduce the cost and environmental impacts of the Federal government by advancing energy efficiency and water conservation, promoting the use of distributed and renewable energy, and improving utility management decisions at Federal sites. 

Maryland

Dedicated to advancing the application of economically sound and environmentally sensitive building and site-design techniques, the Environmental Design Program provides the business community, local governments and interested citizens with the information and on-site technical assistance they need to identify, implement and evaluate actions to enhance and restore natural resources in and around developed environments. What is significant about the Environmental Design Program, is that it recognizes the important role for the "built environment" in the State’s commitment to restore the Chesapeake Bay.  

Minnesota

The Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide educates and assists architects, building owners, occupants, educators, students, and the general public concerning sustainable building design. The Guide is a design tool that can be used to overlay environmental issues on the design, construction, and operation of both new and renovated facilities. It can be used to set sustainable design priorities and goals; develop appropriate sustainable design strategies; and to determine performance measures to guide the sustainable design and decision-making processes. It can also be used as a management tool to organize and structure environmental concerns during the design, construction, and operations phases.   

City of Portland

Welcome to Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development. Our mission is to research, promote and integrate environmental, social and economic health. Here you’ll find information on how to make a real difference in your home, business and community.

City of Austin

The Austin Energy Green Building Program is nationally known for expertise in "green" residential and commercial construction. The Green Building Program has won numerous awards for developing ecological building agendas, and for establishing precedent setting guidelines, ordinances, and market strategies. The Program has been recognized as a top "success story" by the U.S. Department of Energy.