The City of Victoria announced that, by 2025, it would require all new construction to be zero carbon.Victoria, B.C. — The City of Victoria announced that by 2025 it would require all new construction to be zero carbon. The announcement comes as part of Victoria’s accelerated climate action plan to achieve an 80 per cent reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.
“Buildings account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas pollution generated in this city. Each new building will last more than 50 years, so raising the bar now is critical to meeting our long-term goals and preparing the taxpayers of the future to have less climate-related costs down the road,” said Lisa Helps, mayor of Victoria.
This new requirement will come into effect following the introduction of the BC Building Code carbon pollution standards later this year.
With the phased approach, smaller new residential buildings in Victoria will need to meet a low carbon standard by July 2023, with all other residential and commercial types having to do so one year later. The zero-carbon standard will then impact all new structures in July 2025. The new requirements and phase-in schedule were developed following engagement with the local building industry, which focused on reducing GHG emissions through the BC Energy Step Code and the new carbon pollution standards.