Existing Buildings & Retrofits
Richmond’s existing buildings are responsible for around 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which amounts to 40 per cent of the total community emissions. The City’s 2050 Community Energy and Emissions Plan outlines clear solutions to reduce our carbon emissions with respect to buildings. Retrofitting and decarbonizing existing buildings in Richmond is key to achieving our climate targets.
While this may appear to be a challenge, it can also be viewed as an excellent opportunity to bring benefits to local residents and businesses by improving energy efficiency, resilience and comfort, while reducing energy costs and boosting the local economy—all while considering future generations of Richmond residents. Check the resources below for more information about building retrofits and other related programs in Richmond.
Climate-Friendly Homes and Gardens Tour recruitment
Do you have a climate-friendly home or garden and want to show others what a difference it can make? The City invites you to showcase your space in the Climate-Friendly Homes and Gardens Tour, an event that lets local residents visit homes with sustainable features like heat pumps, high-performance building envelopes, passive house design, diversified landscaping for a changing climate, shade trees or other climate-friendly elements.
Homeowners will open their doors for this open house-style event on Saturday, August 22 and/or Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The goal is to spark friendly, informative conversations about climate-friendly features based on homeowners' real experiences.
Help ignite change and show how sustainable living is possible.
For more details and to register, visit https://bit.ly/ClimateFriendlyTour2026.
Climate-Friendly Homes Summer Event Series – FREE
Learn how to improve home comfort, save energy and prepare for summer heat with these workshops:
- Wed, Jul 15: Better homes 101: Comfort, savings and efficiency
6:00-7:30pm, Richmond Cultural Centre
- Thu, Jul 23: Lunch and learn: Hiring the right contractor for home energy upgrades
Noon-1:00pm, Online
- Sun, Jul 26: Save energy, save money 3:00-4:30pm, South Arm Community Centre
- Tue, Jul 28: Beat the heat: Smart home upgrades for summer comfort 5:00-6:30pm, East Richmond Community Hall
Learn more and register at https://ClimateFriendly.eventbrite.com.
Quick Links
Richmond Sustainability TeamExistingBuildings@richmond.ca