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Energy, Carbon, &
Sustainability-Related Codes
Canada
CAGBC Zero Carbon Design Standard
CAGBC Zero Carbon Design Standard
The ZCB-Design Standard relates to the design of new buildings or the retrofitting of existing buildings. It is a pathway to ensure buildings can achieve zero carbon once in operation. Projects must consider the embodied carbon of construction materials, refrigerants used in HVAC equipment, energy efficiency, building airtightness, and electrical grid impacts.
BUILDING TYPE
TARGETS
Any (including additions and attached buildings)
Model zero carbon balance
Embodied carbon intensity <=500kg CO2e/m2 or >=10% reduction from baseline
Limits to onsite combustion
Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) & Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets depending on Climate Zone and Building Typology
Minimum 2 Impact & Innovaction Strategies aiming for higher levels of carbon emission reduction
CAGBC Zero Carbon Performance Standard
CAGBC Zero Carbon Performance Standard
The ZCB-Performance Standard demonstrates that a building has achieved zero carbon operations. It evaluates carbon emissions from building operations, such as heating and cooling. It also accounts for potential refrigerant leaks and the embodied carbon of new structural and envelope materials.
Any
BUILDING TYPE
Achieve zero carbon balance
Offset embodied carbon
Offset operational carbon and refrigerant leaks
Updated transition plan every 5 years if there is any onsite combustion
Reporting on energy efficiency
Conduct airtightness testing
TARGETS
Greening Government Strategy
Greening Government Strategy
The Government of Canada seeks to transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations. All new buildings and building retrofits must prioritize low carbon and climate resilient strategies.
Government-Owned and Leased Property
BUILDING TYPE
Reduce GHG emissions by 40% from 2005 levels by 2025
Reduce GHG emissions by 90% from 2005 levels by 2050
Net-zero emissions by 2050
Disclose and reduce embodied carbon per Standard on Embodied Carbon in Construction (effective Dec 31, 2022)
TARGETS
Approved Green Building Changes
for Part 3 New Construction
On May 17, 2022, Vancouver City Council approved changes to the Green Building Policy for Rezonings (effective May 18, 2022) and the Vancouver Building Bylaw (effective July 2023 and January 2025).
4-6 story residential occupancies: GHGI = 3
For industrial/care/assembly (Group A, B, F occupancies): 50% lower than the GHGI of the reference building modelled using only fossil-fuel systems
Report whole-building embodied carbon impacts that must not be more than double that of a functionally equivalent baseline (created based on new COV Embodied Carbon Guidelines)
Approved Green Building Changes
for Part 3 New Construction
Zero Emissions Building Plan
While not subject to the BC Energy Step Code, the City of Vancouver has its own Zero Emissions Building Plan (ZEBP). The Plan requires the majority of new buildings to have no operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, and all new buildings to have no greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Most Part 3 and all Part 9 occupancy classes
BUILDING TYPE
The ZEBP has a set of Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHGI) targets that vary based on occupancy class
Maximum Energy Use and Emissions Intensities, along with other energy compliance pathways, are highlighted in section 10.2 of the Vancouver Building Bylaw (VBBL)
Buildings and major occupancies designed and constructed to conform to the certification criteria for the Passive House Standard are deemed to comply with the VBBL energy efficiency requirements
TARGETS
Zero Emissions Building Plan
Energy Step Code
The BC Energy Step Code is an optional compliance path in the BC Building Code. It aims to help the province meet its target that all new buildings be “net-zero energy ready” by 2032. The standard consists of a series of steps representing increasing levels of energy-efficiency performance. By adopting one or more steps of the standard, local governments and builders can increase building performance requirements in their communities.
Most Part 3 and all Part 9 occupancy classes
Residential occupancies are required to meet the higher more stringent steps (ie. Step 3 or 4)
BUILDING TYPE
Performance metrics: Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) and Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI)
Targets vary based on jurisdiction and building type
TEDI and TEUI requirements for Part 3 buildings are found in Subsection 10.2.3.3. in Tables 10.2.3.3.-A to 10.2.3.3.-J
The requirements for Part 9 buildings are in Subsection 9.36.6 in Tables 9.36.6.3.-A to 9.36.6.3.-F
As the targets evolve every year, it is important to follow the requirements based on the location and building permit date of your project. See the link here for up-to-date BC Step Code implementation updates
TARGETS
Energy Step Code
British Columbia
Vancouver
EFFECTIVE JULY 2023
7+ storey residential occupancies: GHGI = 3
Hotel & motel occupancies: GHGI = 4
Include refrigerant impact (GHGI-R) in calculation of whole building GHGI limit
For industrial/care/assembly (Group A, B, F occupancies): 85% lower than the GHGI of the reference building modelled using only fossil-fuel systems
All dwelling units within new Part 3 buildings must be served by active mechanical cooling capable of maintaining an indoor air temperature of 26°C, with windows closed
1-6 storey buildings that can be built with wood or mass timber: 20% embodied carbon reductions compared to baseline
All other buildings: 10% embodied carbon reductions
All new Part 3 buildings: Meet one responsible source materials category, or double the minimum embodied carbon reductions noted above
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2025
C627 Climate Resilience Policy
Edmonton’s Council Policy C627 aims to ensure a climate resilient and sustainable community.
City-owned, leased, and funded buildings
BUILDING TYPE
Reduce GHG emissions by 35% by 2025
Reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
LEED Silver Compliance, minimum
Embodied Carbon Assessments with consideration for lowest embodied carbon materials
Achieve Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) <50ekWh/m2 for office buildings and <80ekWh/m2 for all non-office buildings
Must include on-site renewable energy or alternative energy generation
TARGETS
C627 Climate Resilience Policy
Community Energy Transition Strategy
Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy aims to transform Edmonton into a low carbon city.
Reduce community-based GHG emissions by 35% from 2005 levels by 2025
Reduce community-based GHG emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030
Reduce energy consumption by 35% per person by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels)
Generate 10% of Edmonton’s electricity locally by 2030
Achieve net-zero per person emissions by 2050
TARGETS
Community Energy Transition Strategy
Sustainable Building Policy
Calgary’s Sustainable Building Policy seeks to ensure that all City-owned and City-financed facility planning, designing, constructing, managing, renovating, operating, and demolishing is carried out in a sustainable manner.
All City-owned and financed buildings
BUILDING TYPE
Evaluate and include strategies to address the applicable Sustainability Principles
Plan, design, and construct the building as per the Sustainable Building Guidance Document, including but
not limited to the Minimum Sustainability Performance Requirements
Conduct a Public Infrastructure Climate Risk & Resilience Assessment and a GHG Mitigation Assessment and implement recommendations as directed in the Sustainable Building Guidance Document
TARGETS
Sustainable Building Policy
Alberta
Calgary
Toronto Green Standard
The Toronto Green Standard (TGS) mandates Toronto's sustainable design and performance requirements. Read Entuitive's article on recent TGS updates.
New private and City-owned developments
BUILDING TYPE
All new construction to be net zero ready by 2028
80% reduction in GHG emissions from all buildings by 2050
Increase resilience of built environment to extreme weather events
Embodied Carbon:
Tier 2: Material Emissions Assessment
Tier 3&4: Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment and 20% reduction in embodied carbon from baseline building
TARGETS
Toronto Green Standard
Net Zero by 2040 Climate Strategy
Toronto’s City Council has adopted the Net Zero by 2040 Climate Strategy, which accelerates the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) implementation dates for GHG emissions limits. The Toronto Green Standard outlines Toronto’s sustainable design and performance requirements for new private and City-owned developments.
New private and City-owned developments
BUILDING TYPE
Reduce GHG emissions by 30% from 1990 levels by 2020
Reduce GHG emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2025
Reduce GHG emissions by 65% from 1990 levels by 2030
Achieve net zero by 2040
TARGETS
Net Zero by 2040 Climate Strategy
Toronto
High Performane Development Standard
Ottawa’s High Performance Development Standard comprises voluntary and required standards that raise the performance of new building projects to achieve sustainable and resilient design. It aims to help Ottawa reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050.
New Buildings
BUILDING TYPE
At Site Plan Application:
Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI), and Greenhouse Gas Intensity (GHGI) targets depending on building type, or
25% carbon emission reduction beyond Ontario Building Code, SB-10, Division 3 (2017), or
Commitment to pursue approved certification program
TARGETS
High Performance Development Standard
Ottawa
Ontario
Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (LECCLA)
The New York State Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (LECCLA), which was passed in 2021, requires New York State's authorities and agencies to account for climate impacts in the selection criteria they use for concrete procurement.
To encourage the use of low-carbon concrete
TARGETS
Low Embodied Carbon Concrete
Leadership Act (LECCLA)
The Climate Forward Concrete Leadership Act (Proposed 2022)
Under The Climate Forward Concrete Leadership Act, which was proposed in 2022, The New York State Office of General Services would be required to do the listed below:
Modify New York State's low-carbon concrete green procurement specifications every 3 years
Determine and publish maximum GWP (Global Warming Potential) limits for concrete
Develop performance-based specifications applicable for buildings and horizontal infrastructure by 2023
Develop rules for state projects on low-carbon procurement using both prescriptive and performance-based approaches
TARGETS
The Climate Forward Concrete Leadership Act
Local Law 97
Under Local Law 97, most buildings over 25,000 ft² will be required to meet energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024, with stricter limits coming into effect in 2030.
Buildings that exceed 25,000 gross ft²
Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 ft²
Two or more buildings owned by a condo association that are governed by the same board of managers and that together exceed 50,000 ft²
BUILDING TYPE
Reduce emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings by 40% by 2030
Reduce emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings by 80% by 2050
TARGETS
Local Law 97
New York
VANCOUVER
CALGARY
EDMONTON
Edmonton
OTTAWA
TORONTO
NEW YORK CITY
New York City
Canada offers a voluntary zero carbon compliance standard through the Canada Green Building Council. The Zero Carbon Building Standard is split into Design and Performance. Canada also has the Greening Government Strategy in place. Read more about each standard below.
Index
New York State
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
The Port Authority of NY & NJ Clean Construction Program promotes reductions in embodied carbon.
EPD requirements
Waste diversion
Low-carbon concrete
Pilot projects
LEED and Envision-equivalent standards for infrastruture projects
TARGETS
Provincial
INDEX
HOME
CAGBC Zero Carbon Performance Standard
Greening Government Strategy
Energy Step Code
Zero Emissions Building Plan
Approved Green Buildings Changes for Part 3 New Construction
Community Energy Transition Strategy
Toronto Green Standard Version 4 - Buildings Energy & Emissions
High Performance Development Standard
Local Law 97
The Climate Forward Concrete Leadership Act
Low Embodied Carbon Concrete Leadership Act (LECCLA)
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Sustainable Building Policy
Net Zero by 2040 Climate Strategy
Toronto Green Standard
C627 Climate Resilience Policy
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As both legislated and voluntary responses to the climate crisis become more ambitious, Sustainable Performance at Entuitive seeks to equip our clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their new construction and existing buildings projects.
Across our regions, sustainable performance targets and mandates have been put in place that will affect, or already affect, the way our clients, partners, and stakeholders can build or renovate their assets.
In this infographic, we aim to provide an overview of those targets in the regions in which we work. Click on each province to learn more about its sustainability goals.
LEARN MORE
PLEASE NOTE This dynamic map is optimized for desktop viewing
Toronto Green Standard Version 4
CAGBC Zero Carbon Design Standard