One of the things we’re passionate about at TQ Construction, is the business of sustainable construction, and one company that’s making waves in this ever-evolving part of the industry, is Carbon Wise.
Founded by visionary Elisabeth Baudinaud, Carbon Wise is revolutionizing the approach to low-carbon building practices – and we’ve been proud to work with them on some of our favourite projects! Carbon Wise is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future in the construction industry.
Elisabeth’s journey to founding Carbon Wise was driven by a deep-seated concern for climate change and a recognition of the construction industry’s significant impact on global emissions. “Buildings account for 40% of global emissions, yet much of the focus has only been on operational energy, not the embodied carbon locked into materials,” Baudinaud explains. This realization, coupled with years of experience in energy efficiency, led her to establish Carbon Wise as a bridge between climate targets and real-world construction practices.
Carbon Wise distinguishes itself as more than just a consulting firm. As a Benefit Company, it is legally bound to its commitment to social and environmental goals, holding itself to higher standards in fulfilling its mission. This unique approach resonates with clients who are increasingly seeking partners that align with their values and sustainability objectives.
The company’s expertise lies in providing holistic energy and carbon consulting for both renovations and new builds. Their services include energy modeling to meet Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code requirements, embodied carbon assessments, airtightness testing, and consulting on alternative materials and systems. “We help clients make informed decisions that align with evolving regulations and future-proof their projects,” Baudinaud says.
For design-build firms like TQ Construction, partnering with Carbon Wise offers a significant advantage. The collaboration ensures projects are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional, but also environmentally responsible and future-ready. Carbon Wise’s team of experienced Energy Advisors brings strategic guidance to each project, helping to identify cost-effective upgrades, ensure proper airtightness and insulation strategies, and navigate available rebates and incentives.
One of the most effective ways Carbon Wise can work with clients, is with early involvement in a project. “We add the most value when hired early in the design process,” Baudinaud emphasizes. “If we’re to provide the best advice, we have to be involved super early. That’s how we can provide the most cost-effective solutions.” This proactive approach allows for the integration of low-carbon, high-performance building strategies from the outset, resulting in more efficient and sustainable outcomes.
The company’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its 5-star rating on Google reviews. Baudinaud attributes this success to their serious approach to advising and their collaborative work ethic. “We work WITH our clients, not just FOR them. We also focus on timely communication, ensuring builders and homeowners understand their options and feel confident in their choices.”
Looking to the future, Baudinaud predicts significant changes in the construction industry over the next decade. In the near term, she anticipates embodied emissions limits becoming more common in regulations, stronger incentives for deep energy retrofits, and resilience measures becoming standard in design. Looking further ahead, she envisions zero operational carbon becoming the norm for new buildings, established embodied carbon benchmarks, and mainstream adoption of circular economy principles in construction.
As the construction industry in British Columbia continues to evolve, Carbon Wise stands at the forefront, ready to guide clients through the complexities of low-carbon building practices. For homeowners and businesses in the Lower Mainland considering a design-build project with TQ Construction, including Carbon Wise as part of the team means an opportunity to create spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also environmentally responsible.
In a world where sustainable construction is no longer just an option but a necessity, Carbon Wise is leading the charge, one building at a time. As Elisabeth Baudinaud aptly puts it, “The future is low carbon, high performance, and more sustainable construction, and Carbon Wise is here to help lead the way.”
We’re thrilled to be on this journey with them!
For more information, visit the Carbon Wise website: https://carbon-wise.ca/
And to book a consultation with TQ Construction, go here: https://www.tqconstruction.ca/contact-renovation-home-builder-vancouver/