CBCB INITIATIVE
The CBCB Initiative is Gaining Momentum !
LAURENCE DROUIN
SENIOR MANAGER - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
CAMILLE EUSTACHE
ARCHITECT - PROJECT MANAGER, CBCB
EMMA FOURNIER
MARKETING & COMMUNICATION CONTENT COORDINATOR
One year after the official February 2025 launch of the Construction bas carbone avec le bois (CBCB) initiative, the picture is clear: Reducing embodied carbon in buildings by using wood is no longer a marginal consideration, but a central issue that is increasing stakeholder interest in the construction sector.
The CBCB community is growing: 26 committed signatories
The CBCB initiative now includes 26 committed signatories, reflecting a growing movement to reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. Among them, 23 construction professionals, including 17 architecture firms and six engineering firms, are applying their expertise to low carbon projects.
Three municipalities have also joined the initiative, affirming their commitment to supporting and promoting more sustainable construction practices for their municipal projects. By joining the CBCB initiative, construction professionals are demonstrating their commitment to reducing embodied carbon in their projects by using wood and accelerating the transition to a low carbon construction sector.
The signatories’ path through the CBCB initiative
Through this initiative, Cecobois helps signatories incorporate embodied carbon reductions into their practices by using wood. To achieve this, the signatories must adhere to the five key steps shown below.
The process begins by signing a letter of commitment, which formalizes the professional firm’s commitment to reducing the embodied carbon of its projects through the use of wood. Next, an action plan is adopted to identify the specific commitments that will be implemented to integrate the decarbonization process by using wood. The action plan is flexible and can be adapted to the specific circumstances of each signatory.
Once the action plan has been finalized, Cecobois will begin to promote the signatories through its communication strategy. This phase involves a series of posts shared on the CBCB’s platforms and social media channels to highlight their participation in the initiative.
Using the materials provided by the signatories (logos, photos, team descriptions, etc.), Cecobois drafts and approves each post before publication. This visibility provides greater exposure for the organizations that have committed to reducing embodied carbon by using wood. In their action plan, the signatories commit to using the GESTIMAT tool to assess the embodied carbon of their wood-based projects. This approach helps quantify the GHG emissions avoided by comparing them to the average of all projects listed in the Cecobois database.
Throughout the assessment process, Cecobois provides support that includes meetings, specialized documentation, and a validation process. The results are then shared among all signatory projects to highlight the collective progress made toward decarbonization. Once the embodied carbon assessments are complete, the low carbon wood projects are promoted on the CBCB’s platforms and social media channels, then listed in Cecobois’ project directory. These publications mark the culmination of the CBCB signatories’ efforts as they continue to inspire the entire construction industry in Quebec.
Engaging municipal involvement
Over the next six months, Cecobois plans to increase its efforts and support toward municipalities committed to decarbonizing their buildings. This initiative complements the flagship programs already in place in Quebec, including the Programme de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre des bâtiments municipaux (PRACIM), which many local governments rely upon. By focusing on strategic and technical support, the initiative seeks to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while offering concrete, sustainable solutions tailored to local conditions.
More than mere technical support, it represents a fundamental choice for society, Municipalities gain the opportunity to provide their communities with high-quality, efficient, and sustainable infrastructures while prioritizing materials derived from renewable and local resources. Wood stands out as a logical response to municipal GHG reduction objectives and the collective commitment to adopt low carbon construction practices that can benefit citizens and local communities alike.
The CBCB Initiative in 2026
he year 2026 promises to be dynamic as well as inspiring. It will be driven by concrete actions, low carbon wood projects, and the ambitious vision of the signatories involved. Cecobois is also working to establish a CBCB community of practice. The goal is simple: To create a space for discussion and learning among the signatories involved in the initiative. The CBCB community of practice will enable signatories to share their experience with low carbon projects and their knowledge surrounding the decarbonization of buildings.
Finally, new resources will be developed and added to those already available: The CBCB blog Décarboner un bâtiment à la fois podcast (14 episodes) : Spotify, Apple Podcast and YouTube Technical data sheets Non-real time training courses (over 40 online courses) The Construire en bois journal – Special Edition on Decarbonization (3 issues) Our social media posts : LinkedIn, Facebook et Instagram
