Topic: Community Buildings

BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code

A Best Practices Guide for Local Governments

British Columbia has set ambitious objectives to combat climate change in the construction sector. The province aims for all newly constructed buildings to have zero operational carbon emissions by 2030 and for all new structures to be ready for net-zero energy by 2032. The BC Energy Step Code and the Zero Carbon Step Code are instrumental in reaching these targets. Over the next ten years, the province will methodically integrate these step codes into the foundational BC Building Code, with transitional requirements anticipated in 2024, 2027, and 2030.

The updated BC Step Code Best Practices Guide for Local Governments is a comprehensive revision of the initial 2018 version. This guide has been enriched by contributions from key stakeholders in the building industry, including industry professionals, municipal authorities, utility companies, and housing agencies. It provides fresh insights on the Zero Carbon Step Code and refined best practices derived from extensive practical experience. Nevertheless, the core principles established by the Step Code Council during its initial launch remain relevant: providing early notification, implementing incremental changes, maintaining a clear schedule, and engaging in proactive dialogue and education are all essential for a successful and seamless transition in the market.

Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit

This Toolkit is intended to support the inclusion of health considerations within community planning and design. It is designed as a quick reference to the body of research evidence which describes how our built environment can influence population health. The concept of a “healthy built environment” is considered through a holistic perspective including five core features:

  1. Neighbourhood Design
  2.  Transportation Networks
  3.  Natural Environments
  4.  Food Systems
  5.  Housing

This Toolkit is written for health professionals to assist them in articulating well informed and credible responses within local government planning processes and decision making. However, it can readily be used by other stakeholders

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

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.

Evaluating Residential Energy, Emissions and Cost Scenarios for Prince George’s Official Community Plan

This report explores the Integrated Community Energy Mapping (ICEM) approach developed by CanmetENERGY Ottawa, a division of Natural Resources Canada.

The ICEM approach contributes to the development of a consistent method for characterizing energy and emissions in the building stock in communities. The report presents the final analysis results of energy and emissions scenarios in the residential housing stock developed in the 2008 to 2012 timeframe, in support of Prince George’s Official Community Plan update.