Toward net-zero emissions: Constructing the nexus between housing systems and environmental outcomes

Abstract

Housing systems are key contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, yet environmental considerations have often remained peripheral in housing policies. In light of escalating climate challenges, this article proposes a heuristic framework to map the bidirectional relationship between housing systems and environmental outcomes. The framework shows how housing activities (e.g., construction) and attributes (e.g., size, location, price) contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, while climate change impacts housing systems. Based on this framework, the article uses recent Canadian initiatives as illustrative cases and discusses Canada’s strategies for decarbonizing construction, modifying housing attributes, and improving the connections between housing, infrastructure, and transport to move toward net-zero emissions. It highlights that significant challenges remain, including financial constraints, behavioral obstacles, and the potential exacerbation of social-spatial inequalities. The paper argues that achieving net-zero emissions requires housing policies to explicitly incorporate environmental objectives and advocates for multi-order collaboration for improving housing’s environmental outcomes.