gbi is proud to announce its participation in the Construction bas carbone avec le bois (CBCB – Low-carbon construction with wood) initiative led by Cecobois. By signing the letter of commitment, gbi reaffirms its intention to actively contribute to the decarbonization of the building sector by promoting the use of wood, a sustainable, renewable material with a low carbon footprint.
Decarbonizing one building at a time
gbi’s commitment to the CBCB initiative is grounded in concrete achievements, including the Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) project, which stands as a flagship example. This building features extensive use of wood in both its structural and architectural design, significantly reducing its overall carbon footprint.
In addition, nearly 90% of the wood used for the project was sourced in Québec, supporting local supply chains, promoting the value of Québec’s forest resources, and reducing emissions associated with material transportation.
A concrete and measurable action plan
To turn its commitment into tangible results, gbi has implemented a structured action plan focused on skills development, impact quantification, and knowledge sharing.
By October 2026, gbi commits to training six team representatives for a minimum of six hours on building embodied carbon. This initiative is supported by internal awareness activities, including lunch-and-learn sessions aimed at sharing best practices, analytical tools, and insights drawn from real-world projects.
gbi has also set a target to reduce embodied carbon by 15% for projects with wood structures, compared to the average GHG emissions benchmark established by Cecobois, across all such projects completed by October 2026.
In a spirit of collaboration and transparency, gbi will contribute to Cecobois’ Québec database by submitting the results of three life cycle assessments (LCAs) conducted using GESTIMAT, helping to advance collective knowledge within the industry.
Designing differently, together
At gbi, we believe that every action counts in building a more responsible future. This commitment is part of a broader approach aimed at integrating innovative design practices and supporting our clients in delivering projects with reduced environmental impact.
We invite our partners, collaborators, and clients to learn more, get involved, and join the movement. Together, let’s design differently and inspire change.
