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.

Thinking Beyond Pipes and Pumps: Top 10 Ways Communities Can Save Water and Money

This handbook provides a practical resource on how individuals, utilities, and, most importantly, communities can save water and money. Designed for community leaders, water managers, and policy makers, this handbook seeks to inspire and facilitate action.

It promotes an expanded definition of “urban water infrastructure” that includes innovative physical components, water sensitive urban design, and conservation programs designed to complement existing water supply networks.

Sustainable Neighbourhood Development

This guide provides top-line, how-to information about the planning and development of sustainable neighbourhoods, offering practical solutions to common challenges. It answers
important questions about sustainable neighbourhood development:

  1. What is a sustainable neighbourhood, and how can I make the case for pursuing this kind of development?
  2. What are the major challenges, and how can they be overcome?
  3. Where else in Canada has this been done successfully, and what factors led to that success?
  4. Where can I go for more in-depth information?

Small-Scale Biomass District Heating Guide – A Guide for BC Communities

The purpose of this Guide is to support the growing number of small communities across British Columbia interested in making a business case for biomass district heating. There may be substantial benefits for communities that approach local energy projects having developed an integrated strategy on clean energy, energy independence, and the transition to a green economy. Small-scale biomass district heating systems can be a centerpiece of such a strategy.

Primary benefits include:

  • potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
  • local economic development through attracting investment, clean energy job creation,
    infrastructure development and keeping energy dollars circulating locally, and
  • increased local energy reliability, resilience and security.

Small-Scale Biomass District Heating Handbook A Reference for Alberta & BC Local Governments

The purpose of this handbook is to support a growing number of small communities across British Columbia and Alberta interested in making a business case for biomass district heating (DH). Small-scale biomass DH systems can be a centerpiece of an integrated strategy on clean energy, energy independence and a transition to a green economy. Primary benefits include:

  • potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
  • local economic development through attracting investment, clean energy job creation,
    infrastructure development and keeping energy dollars circulating locally, and
  • increased energy security.

Passive Design Toolkit for Homes

The toolkit has been written to inform City staff and the design and development communities about passive design. While covering best practices, the toolkit addresses the specific needs of Vancouver and outlines a succinct definition of what ‘passive’ means for Vancouver. This toolkit can be used as a reference for best practices, and considered complementary to design guidelines and policy.

New Solutions for Stormwater Management in Canada

The goal of this report is to provide all Canadian local governments with an introduction to stormwater user fees and to the various other tools that they can implement to take an integrated approach to better urban stormwater management through the use of green infrastructure.

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

A thorough article on LCC applied to buildings, with links to further resources. Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a method for assessing the total cost of facility ownership. It takes into account all costs of acquiring, owning, and disposing of a building or building system. LCCA is especially useful when project alternatives that fulfill the same performance requirements, but differ with respect to initial costs and operating costs, have to be compared in order to select the one that maximizes net savings.