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Green Infrastructure
Want to work in this sector?
Start by learning more with the resources below!
Introduction to Green Infrastructure

Issues

Urbanization is accelerating globally, with the world projected to add another 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050. Unsustainable urbanization is one of the largest drivers of environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, overconsumption and higher energy demand, deforestation, air and water pollution, water stress and scarcity, hazardous waste, and more. Car-dependent development in many regions has exacerbated urban sprawl, which is one of the largest drivers of habitat destruction and fragmentation as well as increased energy use. Car-dependent development also has many negative social consequences, such as increased isolation, unaffordability, discrimination and resegregation, the decline of small businesses, and poor health outcomes. 

Solutions

Building more sustainable, inclusive, and liveable cities is an imperative for human development. Building green infrastructure is one of the most important strategies for bringing nature back into cities, using nature-based climate solutions to promote adaptation and resilience to extreme weather while also restoring ecosystems and positively benefiting human health. As one example, the Living Breakwaters project is an innovative initiative to rebuild oyster reefs along the coast of New York City, helping increase resilience to storm events, restore local ecosystems, and remediate toxic pollution through natural water filtration. New York was also able to save $1.5 billion by protecting the upstream Catskills watershed to secure the city’s water supply, thus avoiding expensive water treatment plants.

There is a movement called new urbanism which aims to move away from unsustainable urbanization to a more human-focused approach to the planning and development of communities and cities. New urbanist approaches include mixed-use zoning, transit-oriented development, connectivity, active transit, affordable housing, walkability, and concepts like the 15-minute city. Another key solution to promote sustainable cities is the decarbonization of the built environment, which accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. Deep energy retrofits and electrification through the use of heat pumps are two of the fastest-growing solutions.

Resources to
Learn More
Programs, Trainings, and Events
Policies and Organizations
Organizations
  • World Green Building Council – The World Green Building Council is a global network of organizations working to drive the transformation of the building and construction industry towards sustainability through advocacy, collaboration, and implementation of green building practices and standards.
  • Urbanarium – Urbanarium is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to promoting public understanding and engagement with urban issues through education, events, and advocacy, aiming to foster informed decision-making and create more livable cities.
  • C40 Cities – C40 Cities is a network of the world's largest cities committed to taking bold action against climate change by collaborating on initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase urban sustainability.
  • Coalition for Urban Transitions – The Coalition for Urban Transitions is a global initiative that supports city leaders and policymakers in transitioning to sustainable, low-carbon, and inclusive urban development through research, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts.
  • Global Platform for Sustainable Cities – The Global Platform for Sustainable Cities is a collaborative initiative that facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building, and partnerships among cities worldwide to promote sustainable urban development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Canadian Green Building Council – The Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing green building practices and sustainable design across Canada through certification programs, advocacy, and education, with the goal of promoting environmental responsibility within the building industry.
  • More Neighbours Network – More Neighbours is a network of pro-housing voices from across the political spectrum that are committed to counterbalancing the anti-housing agenda that dominates politics and has created an affordability crisis across the income spectrum.
  • The Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) – The Congress for New Urbanism is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the design and development of walkable, mixed-use communities that are sustainable, socially vibrant, and economically resilient, advocating for principles of traditional urbanism and smart growth.
  • National Right to Housing Network – The National Right to Housing Network is a coalition of organizations and advocates working to promote housing as a fundamental human right and to advance policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing for all Canadians.

Existing policies
Key Policy Initiatives
  • Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan – This plan is a government initiative aimed at modernizing and improving the country's infrastructure through strategic investments in areas such as transportation, green energy, broadband, and social infrastructure, with a focus on fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing quality of life for Canadians.
  • Natural Resources Canada Greener Homes Grant – The Canada Greener Homes Initiative is a government program designed to help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes by providing grants for measures such as insulation, windows, and heating systems, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency across Canada.
  • Building Heat – The Canadian Climate Institute has started research on optimal pathways to reaching net zero in the buildings sector, including what role building electrification, alternate fuels, and existing gas networks will play.
  • Building Codes – Efficiency Canada’s research on strengthening Canada’s Building Code Process to achieve net-zero emissions.
  • Make the Shift – Make the Shift is an advocacy initiative led by UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing Leilani Farha aimed at addressing the global housing crisis by advocating for housing as a human right and promoting policies that prioritize affordable and adequate housing for all.
New policy initiatives
Petitions
  • Smart Growth Toolkit – The Smart Growth Toolkit by Environmental Defence is a comprehensive resource designed to assist communities, planners, and policymakers in promoting sustainable development practices that prioritize efficient land use, public transit, walkability, and environmental conservation, aiming to create livable and resilient communities across Canada.
  • Stop the Sprawl – This petition calls for action from Ontario's MPPs to prioritize the interests of people and the environment over those of real estate speculators, by addressing concerns such as sprawl-inducing policies, weakening environmental protections, and favouring unsustainable development practices.
  • Stop Urban Sprawl in the Ontario Greenbelt – This petition urges the Ontario provincial government to halt urban sprawl within the Ontario Greenbelt, advocating for the preservation of this vital environmental and agricultural land to safeguard against unsustainable development practices and protect the region's biodiversity.
  • Stop Highway 413 – This petition calls on the Ontario provincial government to cancel Highway 413, citing concerns about its negative impact on the environment, agricultural land, climate goals, and endangered species, as well as suspicions of benefiting well-connected developers at taxpayer expense.

Volunteer Positions

Disclaimer: this list includes both organizations that are actively recruiting volunteers as well as organizations that do NOT have current openings.
Please follow their newsletter and socials to be informed when opportunities become available!

Name of Company
Open Positions
Location
Website
Canada Green Building Council

Multiple Committee Positions

Nationwide
Efficiency Canada

Become a Regional Champion Volunteer

Nationwide
Green Communities Canada

Volunteer Opportunities with GCC Members

Nationwide
Depave Paradise

Multiple

Peterborough, ON
Engineers Without Borders

Join a Chapter

Nationwide
Future Ground Network

Multiple

Nationwide
Re:wild

Re:Wild Your Campus Volunteer

Nationwide
Citizen’s Climate Lobby Canada

Multiple

Nationwide
Village Vancouver Transition Society

Multiple

Vancouver
The Council of Canadians

Join a Chapter

Nationwide

Job Board

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Open Positions
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Remote
Website
WSP Canada

Energy Efficiency Analyst, Buildings

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
In Person
Link
Seequent

Project Geologist - Energy, Civil & Environmental

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Unknown
Link
Norda Stelo

Environmental Project Manager

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Hybrid
Link
Green Infrastructure Partners

Assistant Project Manager

Private Sector
GTA, ON
Unknown
Link
Green Infrastructure Partners

Propsals Coordinator

Private Sector
Markham, ON
Unknown
Link
Introba

Associate, Climate Resilience

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Unknown
Link
Light House

Project Manager (1-3 Years Experience)

Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
In Person
Link
First Capital

ESG Programs Coordinator

Private Sector
Toronto, ON
In Person
Link
Carbicrete

Construction Laboratory Technician

Private Sector
Montreal, QC
In Person
Link
Collaborative Architecture

Intermediate Architectural Designer

Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Hybrid
Link

General List of Employers

Want to learn more about who the potential employers are in this sector? Check out this list to gain a broader understanding of the types of organizations that might be hiring now or in the future, and visit their websites to learn more about getting involved.

Disclaimer: Certain organizations on this list don't have sustainability as their core purpose, but they have been included because they have strong commitments and recognition for their efforts. For these organizations, only open positions directly contributing to sustainability initiatives or departments will be listed.

Organization
Type of Organization
Location ↓
Website
BC Non-Profit Housing Association
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Youthful Cities
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Ecotrust Canada
Civil Society
Vancouver & Prince Rupert, BC
Link
Green Communities Canada
Civil Society
Peterborough, ON
Link
Windfall Ecology Centre
Civil Society
Aurora, ON
Link
Clean50
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Future Earth
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Human Studio
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Sustainability Solutions Group
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Evergreen Canada
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Conseil Regional de l’Environnement (CRE) – Capitale Nationale
Civil Society
Quebec City, QC
Link
reThink Green
Civil Society
Sudbury, ON
Link
Open Technologies
Civil Society
Vancouver, BC
Link
Academy for Sustainable Innovation
Civil Society
Toronto, ON
Link
Publish what you pay Canada
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Conference on Sustainability in Engineering (CSE)
Civil Society
Canada
Link
Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA)
Civil Society
Ottawa, ON
Link
Écotech Québec
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
smartlux
Civil Society
Montreal, QC
Link
Light House Sustainable Building Centre
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Audette Analytics
Private Sector
Victoria, BC
Link
Green Matters Technologies
Private Sector
Langley Township, BC
Link
Sharc International Systems
Private Sector
Port Coquitlam, BC
Link
Kontrol Technologies
Private Sector
Vaughan, ON
Link
Encycle
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Oneka Technologies
Private Sector
Sherbrooke, QC
Link
EcoSynthetix
Private Sector
Burlington, ON
Link
Dundee Sustainable Technologies
Private Sector
Thetford Mines, QC
Link
Legend Power Systems
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
META Materials
Private Sector
Dartmouth, NS
Link
The Transition Accelerator
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Strandberg Consulting
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Eclipse Awards
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Carbicrete
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
BCollective Homes Inc.
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Biomimicry Frontiers
Private Sector
Guelph, ON
Link
CIMA+
Private Sector
Nationwide
Link
RainGrid
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Passive house
Private Sector
Victoria, BC & Aurora, ON
Link
Habitat for Humanity
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Rousseau Lefebvre
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Quintus
Private Sector
Global
Link
Novisto inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Conseil régional de l'environnement de la Capitale-nationale
Private Sector
Link
Adviso
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Purpose Building
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Marealis AS
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Earth Alive Clean Technologies
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Premier Tech
Private Sector
Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Link
Pangaea Ventures
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Rise
Private Sector
Fredericton, NB
Link
Hatch
Private Sector
Nationwide
Link
Nexii
Private Sector
Squamish, BC
Link
D.A.S. Concrete Countertops Inc.
Private Sector
Dieppe, NB
Link
Copernicus Educational Products
Private Sector
Arthur, ON
Link
QuadReal Property Group
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON & Calgary, AB
Link
CSV Architects
Private Sector
Ottawa, ON
Link
Integrated Designs Inc.
Private Sector
Sault St. Marie & Ottawa, ON
Link
Recollective Consulting
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
GI Quo Vadis inc.
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Windmill Development Group
Private Sector
Ottawa & Toronto, ON
Link
TAS Impact
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
ALTE Coop
Private Sector
Montreal & Estrie, QC
Link
AET Group Inc
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
Cascadia Windows and Doors
Private Sector
Langley Township, BC
Link
Bonafide Construction Solutions Ltd
Private Sector
Winnipeg, MB
Link
Black & Mcdonald Limited
Private Sector
Kelowna, BC
Link
Chandos Construction
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Aecon Group Inc.
Private Sector
Canada
Link
Planete Greenleaves
Private Sector
St Constant, QC
Link
ClearBlue Infrastructure Group
Private Sector
Vaughan, ON
Link
Brainbox AI
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
AI Shading
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Tantalus
Private Sector
Burnaby, BC, Kanata, ON
Link
Technologies Ecofixe Inc
Private Sector
Blainville, QC
Link
Z3 Controls
Private Sector
Markham, ON
Link
Evercloak
Private Sector
Kitchener, ON
Link
GHGSAT
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Clearford Water Systems
Private Sector
Ottawa, ON
Link
Fibos inc
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Greyter Water Systems Inc
Private Sector
Barrie, ON
Link
BioMulate Inc
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Parity
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Ostrom Climate Solutions Inc (NatureBank)
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Integrated Sustainability
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
SES Consulting
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
Peak Power Inc
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Stash Energy
Private Sector
Moncton, NB
Link
Roco Industries
Private Sector
Quebec, QC
Link
Feedback Solutions
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Canadian Green Building Council
Private Sector
Nationwide
Link
Carbon Upcycling Technologies
Private Sector
Calgary, AB
Link
Vancity
Private Sector
Vancouver, BC
Link
ecobee
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Ivanhoe Cambridge
Private Sector
Montreal, QC
Link
Nouveau Monde Graphite
Private Sector
Montreal, QC & Saint-Michel-des-Saints, QC
Link
CleantechNorth
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
SpruceLab
Private Sector
Toronto, ON
Link
Career Development Resources
Career Advice Interviews
Leveraging LinkedIn
  • Explore Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Maximization Guide
  • Read through Green Career Centre’s LinkedIn Sustainability Influencers to Follow articles from 2022 and 2023.  
  • We also recommend following us on LinkedIn, where we regularly share opportunities, resources, and news related to the clean economy.
Networking & Interview Prep
Job Search Resources
  • This report provides a helpful toolkit, case studies, and tips for BIPOC/BAME youth to develop self-knowledge, prepare for job hunting, increase their competence, build sustainability experience, and nurture well-being.
  • Visit Green Career Centre’s Job Application Tracker to manage your applications, update progress, and interview prep. 
  • Check out GoodWork's Job Search Tips & Resources for proactive strategies to find and land the right opportunity.
  • Many job search experts agree that most jobs belong to the hidden job market. To learn about navigating this, read Hidden Sustainability Jobs and Tapping the Hidden Job Market.