New research by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) suggests that stimulus spending on green infrastructure can contribute $1 billion to the economy and employ 1.5 million people by 2030—all while helping to reduce carbon emissions.

According to CaGBC research, Canada’s green building sector already contributes $47.9 billion to the GDP and employs almost half a million people. A new report the group plans to issue this fall will suggest that a government stimulus package that prioritizes green building can contribute almost $150 billion to the economy and employ 1.5 million people by 2030.

“We firmly believe that investments in green building will not only help to reignite Canada’s economy, but also provide opportunities that no other sector can offer,” said CaGBC president and CEO Thomas Mueller. “Green buildings offer an immediate financial return on investment as they are less expensive to operate and are healthier for occupants. Even better, they will benefit Canadians for years to come by driving sectoral innovation and creating skilled jobs, all while reducing the carbon impact from buildings.”

Following an unprecedented global health crisis, Canada is presented with the challenge of reigniting a stalled economy. Like the 2008 recession, governments are likely to turn to economic pillars such as construction and infrastructure to create urgently needed jobs.

Such a massive investment will have far-reaching impacts for Canadians well into the future. But as Canada battles this pandemic and its economic fallout, the government must not overlook the opportunity to achieve its commitment of net-zero emission by 2050.

“In these difficult times, it is easy to lose sight of other challenges we face right now,” said Mueller. “Canada has less than ten years to reach its 2030 targets on carbon reduction. Without targeted action today, future generations will suffer from significant environmental, economic, and social disruptions that will outpace the impact of COVID-19.”

CaGBC has joined forces with the Real Property Association of Canada, Canadian Urban Institute, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and others to encourage government to direct stimulus spending to green initiatives. The organizations are asking other industry groups to lend their support to the cause at cagbc.org/greenrecovery.

CaGBC will publish its full Green Building in Canada report in September, including a deep dive into the national and regional green building market.