Greenhouse Gas Limits for New Buildings

Whereas climate change is recognized to be an urgent concern requiring rapid decarbonization of energy across all sectors, including buildings, in order to achieve 45 GHG emissions reductions by 2030 and net-zero GHG emissions by mid-century, as noted by the IPCC Special Report on 1.5C; And whereas the British Columbia Energy Step Code establishes targets for increasing energy efficiency of new construction, but these may not result in the necessary levels of GHG emissions reductions to support local government GHG reduction targets nor BCs legislated GHG emissions reduction targets; And whereas new buildings can last for many decades and are difficult, expensive, and disruptive to retrofit for renewable energy after construction; And whereas near-zero GHG emissions mechanical systems are well proven and can be cost effectively incorporated in new buildings, while also improving efficiency; Therefore be it resolved that the Province include GHG limits for new construction as an enforceable element in Division B of the British Columbia Building Code, including a pathway to achieve zero GHG emissions for new construction in a timeline commensurate with the science of climate change and BCs reduction targets; And further be it resolved that the Provinces goal in the CleanBC Plan to make every new building constructed in BC net-zero energy ready by 2032 be revised to make every new building constructed in BC zero emissions and net-zero energy ready by 2032.