High Performance Buildings
Status: Needs Improving
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system is a widely used green-building standard. The LEED rating system scores buildings based on siting (density, transit connectivity, etc.), energy and water conservation, renewable energy production, waste production and handling, materials sourcing, and a host of other factors. Depending on their scores, buildings can be rated as Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
The City's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes the following key action within the Environmental Sustainability priority area:
- Develop initiatives to improve energy conservation and efficiency in buildings, transportation and land use planning.
Relevant actions from the Low Emissions Community Plan include:
Where are we now?
The number of LEED-certified buildings in Saskatoon is rising steadily. In total, our city now has 32 certified buildings. However, progress with LEED certification in the community has slowed over the last three years, with only three buildings achieving certification between 2019 and 2021. The City of Saskatoon has not achieved a LEED-certified building since 2018.
Data Table
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEED buildings - City of Saskatoon | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||||
| LEED buildings - community | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 29 |
Source: Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC)
What Are We Doing?
LEED-Certified City buildings
The City of Saskatoon has constructed four LEED buildings since 2014: the Saskatoon Police Service HQ; Saskatoon Transit Operations Facility; Fire Station No. 8; and Access Transit Garage.
High Performance Civic Building Policy
The City adopted the High Performance Civic Building Policy on January 1, 2022. The Policy requires all new civic buildings, major renovations, and additions to achieve LEED Silver certification. The Policy is a key step toward achieving the City’s Strategic Goals and meeting our GHG emission reduction targets.
What Can You Do?
Building a house? Consider making it a net-zero building that generates as much energy as it uses. Talk to your builder about using the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association Net Zero Home Labelling Program, or check out Saskatoon Land's Net Zero Demonstration Project and Parade of Homes.
Did you know?
Our Police Service Headquarters earned LEED Silver certification, scoring points for site selection and redevelopment, water use reduction, energy performance (7/10), construction waste management, and recycled materials utilization.