The Path to “Net-Zero Energy” Buildings in BC

Publish Date

July 2015

Type

guide

Author

Tom-Pierre Frappé-Sénéclauze and Maximilian Kniewasser

publisher

Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions

This paper looks specifically at the necessary components of a roadmap to make new complex buildings net-zero ready. It describes the environmental and economic case for a deep efficiency pathway, reviews some of the targets and policies adopted in leading jurisdictions, and then articulates ten key policies to get to “net-zero ready”.

Focusing on the uptake of energy efficiency technologies in new buildings, this paper does not explicitly address the role of on-site renewable energy, the unique challenges related to the low-rise residential sector, nor the goal of reducing energy in the existing building stock—though some of the policies discussed in this paper can also support these other aspects of a broader building sector energy and emissions strategy.