The evolving landscape of Canadian construction and retrofitting is heavily influenced by the pressing need to address climate change and the urgency for sustainable practices. The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change is a driving force aiming to provide tools to make new buildings more energy-efficient and develop a retrofit code for existing buildings. This is expected to reduce emissions, drive innovation, and create new construction jobs, as buildings produce 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gases.
In Canada, cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Hamilton have adopted stringent energy-efficiency initiatives, with hundreds of municipalities declaring a climate emergency. The country, with the third-highest GHG emissions per person globally, is witnessing advancements in materials, design, construction, and operational processes that can reduce GHG emissions. Yet, progress is hampered by outdated building codes and the lack of federal accountability and harmonization across jurisdictions.
The National Building Code is set to undergo significant changes in 2025, including technical requirements for existing buildings and the inclusion of GHG emissions regulations. This marks a critical shift in policy, pushing for a national standard that addresses the efficiency of the existing building stock and mandates GHG emissions considerations for new buildings.
Furthermore, the 2025 code will set standards for operational GHG emissions, and the 2030 code is expected to introduce embodied carbon requirements. However, there is complexity due to the unique energy makeup of each province and locality, which requires a flexible approach in the code to be adaptable across all provinces and territories.
The National Research Council (NRC) is committed to decarbonizing Canadian construction at scale, focusing on removing barriers for low-energy retrofit projects and implementing carbon evaluation. Ensuring robust supply chains before implementing regulations is crucial because, without the necessary infrastructure, regulation is ineffective.
In summary, new sustainability standards are catalyzing change in Canadian construction practices and retrofitting efforts. While there are challenges, such as aligning national standards with provincial and local energy profiles, significant strides are being made towards reducing GHG emissions and creating more sustainable buildings for the future.
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