Building a Greener Future with The Transition Accelerator

EllisDon joins eight leading contractors in a first-of-its-kind alliance to tackle jobsite emissions head-on. This new report lays out five practical, high-impact actions that could redefine how Canada builds in a low-carbon future.

EllisDon is proud to stand alongside eight of Canada’s leading contractors—Aecon, Bird, Chandos, Graham, Ledcor, Multiplex, PCL, and Pomerleau—as a part of the Canadian Construction Sustainability Alliance formed in 2024, in partnership with The Transition Accelerator, celebrating the launch of a new groundbreaking report: Growing and Greening Canadian Construction: Five Ways for Canadian Construction Companies to Build More and Emit Less

This marks the first time Canada’s construction leaders have united to examine the environmental impact of jobsite operations and identify immediate, practical solutions to reduce emissions. Drawing on operational data from more than 600 projects nationwide, this report is a milestone to all those involved.

"The time to transform Canada’s construction sector is now, and EllisDon is committed to leading this charge alongside our industry partners,” says Jolene McLaughlin, Vice President, Climate and Sustainability, EllisDon. “Real progress starts on our jobsites—by adopting innovative, low-carbon solutions, we’re proving what’s possible and setting a new standard for sustainability. Together, we’re not just building projects; we’re shaping a legacy of responsible growth for generations to come."

Why It Matters

Construction is central to Canada’s growth—but it also contributes significantly to the country’s carbon footprint. By collaborating with our industry peers, EllisDon is helping to shape a more sustainable future for the built environment, ensuring we’re ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of a low-carbon economy.

Five Actions for Greener Jobsites

The report outlines five high-impact actions that can significantly reduce emissions while improving cost control, safety, and reliability:

Electrify light-duty vehicles and small equipment
Optimize and electrify temporary heating
Adopt renewable diesel as a bridge fuel
Connect sites to grid power instead of diesel generators
Deploy hybrid and electric excavation equipment

If adopted industry-wide by 2040, these measures could reduce jobsite emissions by up to 75%. Early adopters could see a 25% reduction as soon as 2030.

What’s Next

At EllisDon, we’ve already begun integrating many of these practices across our projects. This is a long-term commitment, and we’re counting on our teams to help lead the way. By embracing greener technologies and smarter site strategies, we’re not just meeting targets—we’re making a lasting impact on our people, our projects, and our communities.