Project enters Phase 2

The Green Building Leaders project is now in Phase 2 — the consultation and design stage. In Phase 1, we worked closely with our local government partners to research three broad policy areas:

• Energy performance standards for existing buildings.
• Renewable energy requirements for new buildings.
• Higher energy performance standards for new buildings.

Based on this research and consultation with 12 local governments, we are moving forward with the following two policies in Phase 2 of the project: 

1) Renewable energy requirements for new homes and buildings. The objective of this part of the project is to design and evaluate a potential policy to implement a minimum renewable energy requirement on new buildings in B.C.  

2) Financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy. This focus is new, as a result of concerns raised by local governments in Phase 1. This will involve assessing various financing programs designed to facilitate the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy on buildings, and then working with the provincial ministries, utilities and local governments to advance the best strategies. 

We are continuing to try to identify funding opportunities to support more substantial work on energy performance standards for new and existing buildings.  

Leading the Way to Greener Buildings

British Columbia's municipalities and the provincial government have taken positive steps to encourage the development of green homes and buildings. However, buildings still account for about 12% of the province's total greenhouse gas emissions.

TheGreen Building Leaders Project brings together local governments, developers, home owners, real estate agents, contractors, utilities, environmental organizations, and the provincial government to work collaboratively on the design and implementation of new green building policies.

Theproject is an opportunity for leading local governments to adopt progressive green building regulations that will help their communities reduce emissions while setting the stage for broader change in the province.

A detailed project flowchart is available here.

Part of the Climate Change Solution

British Columbia has made a bold commitment to fight global warming. Reducing emissions from homes and buildings is an important component of the province's overall climate strategy. Improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from homes and buildings. Local British Columbia governments, which have a history of taking action on climate and energy issues, have an opportunity to lead the province in the development and implementation of new green building initiatives.

New Tools for Greener Buildings

Historically, federal, provincial and municipal governments have mostly used grants and incentives to encourage greener buildings. While grants and incentives are important tools in the toolbox, new tools are needed to ensure that our homes and buildings meet or exceed the province's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local governments that participate in this project will work to design and implement:

1. Energy performance standards for homes and buildings that are for sale or undergoing major renovations.
2. Renewable energy requirements for new homes and buildings.
3. Higher energy performance standards for new homes and buildings.

Project Partners

Local government partners include Campbell River, Dawson Creek, Delta, Fort St. John, Regional District of Nanaimo, City of North Vancouver, Prince George, Terrace, West Vancouver, Whistler, Tofino and Cowichan Valley Regional District. The Pembina Institute is seeking additional local governments to participate in the project.

Deborah Curran & Company, Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre, and the Whistler Centre for Sustainability will be working with the Pembina Institute to provide support to the local governments.

Additional information about the project team is available here.

Find Out More and Get Involved

If you would like to learn more or get involved in the project, please contact Josha MacNab at the Pembina Institute: