Buildings

A pathway to resilient, zero-emission buildings in Metro Vancouver

Buildings will help shape our low carbon future by using clean and renewable energy, becoming highly energy efficient, and supporting human health through design and location.

Looking for more detail on our building-related strategies?

Download the Climate 2050 Buildings Roadmap

We envision healthy buildings.

By 2050, residents throughout the region will live and work in resilient, zero-emission buildings. Our homes, shops, schools and offices will be efficient; they’ll require less energy to operate, and they may even generate some of their own power on site. Flood protection, shading, air filtration and cooling will be standard, so we’ll be safer, more comfortable and better prepared to deal with our already-changing climate.

Buildings last a long time. So the decisions we make today will determine the amount of emissions they create well beyond 2050.

Our commitment: A region that is both carbon-neutral and resilient to the changing climate by 2050.

Today, 1/4 of our emissions come from our buildings – including our homes.

Our apartments and houses, offices and industrial buildings, shops and schools – all are key to our fight against climate change. In fact, the 500,000 buildings in Metro Vancouver generate 4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. The contributor of more than 90% of these emissions? The natural gas we use to produce heat and hot water.

To achieve our target of zero-emission buildings, we need to shift away from natural gas to clean and renewable energy for space and water heating.

Addressing climage change is a 2-part process

Mitigating greenhouse gases with zero-emission buildings.

Adapting to the irreversible effects of climate change with more resilient buildings.

Expected climate change impacts

Expected Climate Change Impacts

Our goals: zero-emission, resilient buildings by 2050.

GOAL 1: By 2050, all buildings in Metro Vancouver will be zero-emissions in their operations	GOAL 1: By 2050, all buildings in Metro Vancouver will be zero-emissions in their operations	<div class="ExternalClass3DA3AFFB3B29403A827CCD8CB4682921"><strong>Our target for 2030: </strong><ul><li>tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually</li><li>35% lower emissions from existing buildings relative to 2010 levels</li><li>Zero emissions from new buildings</li><li>40% lower emissions from construction of new buildings</li></ul><p><strong>Our target for 2050: </strong>0 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually<br></p><div><p><br></p></div></div>
GOAL 2: By 2050, all buildings in the region will be resilient to high temperatures, harmful air quality, severe storms and flooding.	GOAL 2: By 2050, all buildings in the region will be resilient to high temperatures, harmful air quality, severe storms and flooding.	<div class="ExternalClass3E0BA0CADC8D484AB1355668B2F4E875"><p><strong>Our target for 2030:</strong><br></p><p>All new Metro Vancouver buildings are resilient to climate change</p><ul><li>All new buildings have advanced water-conservation, cooling and air-filtration systems, and are resilient to flooding and extreme weather</li><li>All vulnerable residents have access to cool, healthy buildings during extreme heat and wildfires</li></ul><p><strong>Our target for 2050:<br></strong>All Metro Vancouver buildings are resilient to climate change</p><p></p><ul><li>All residents have access to buildings that protect against extreme heat and harmful air quality, are resilient to flooding and extreme weather, and use innovative water-conservation methods<br></li></ul><p></p><p><br></p></div>

These 7 strategies are helping us reach our goals.

1. Setting performance targets and regulations for existing, new and renovated buildings.	1. Setting performance targets and regulations for existing, new and renovated buildings.	<div class="ExternalClass5FED123034D54D0C8F51D06FB427466F"><p>Potential reduction in greenhouse gases each year:</p><ul><li>By 2030: 650,000 tonnes</li><li>By 2050: 3,500,000 tonnes</li></ul><p>We’ve explored approaches for existing buildings to meet emission performance targets and reach zero emissions by 2050. And we're working with the BC Government on the <a href="https://energystepcode.ca/" target="_blank">BC Energy Step Code</a> to require new buildings to be emissions-free by 2030. In addition, we're advocating for increasingly stringent greenhouse gas performance requirements for buildings under renovation.<br></p></div>
2. Accelerating demand for zero-emission buildings through research, education and incentives.	2. Accelerating demand for zero-emission buildings through research, education and incentives.	<div class="ExternalClass120F0962453E42479060E7DBF66288ED"><p>Potential reduction in greenhouse gases each year:\|</p><p></p><ul><li>By 2030: 110,000 tonnes</li><li>By 2050: 90,000 tonnes<br></li></ul>We’re developing a building de-carbonization coalition that will address barriers and create opportunities to accelerate the transition to zero-emission buildings. In addition, we’re creating simple online tools that will help homeowners and building owners choose low-carbon solutions. And we’re working with the BC Government to expand services to help people find the technical support and financing they need to improve the energy performance of their buildings.<p><br></p></div>
3. Shifting to zero-carbon district energy systems.	3. Shifting to zero-carbon district energy systems.	<div class="ExternalClassC9ADCCEE74FA4EB986E534C97B5A4DA5"><p>Potential reduction in greenhouse gases each year:</p><p></p><ul><li>By 2030: 80,000 tonnes</li><li>By 2050: 110,000 tonnes</li></ul>Metro Vancouver has 18 district energy systems (2021) that heat the buildings within concentrated geographic areas more efficiently and cleanly than individual systems could. To maximize their benefit, we’re working to set regulations that will transition these district energy systems from natural gas to clean, renewable energy.<br><p></p></div>
4. Accelerating the transition to lower embodied emissions in buildings.	4. Accelerating the transition to lower embodied emissions in buildings.	<div class="ExternalClass3BCBD960D4734FFC98EFF1D0E92D749E"><p>We’re advocating the BC Government to reduce embodied emissions – the greenhouse gases that come from the production and distribution of construction materials – by updating the BC Building and Retrofit Code with performance targets and incentives that will encourage the use of low-embodied-emissions products.<br></p></div>
5. Supporting water conservation and non-potable water re-use to increase resilience to shifting precipitation patterns.	5. Supporting water conservation and non-potable water re-use to increase resilience to shifting precipitation patterns.	<div class="ExternalClass6C17934FFD3D4509B6C412FBF327F05E"><p>As hotter, dryer summers impact our water supply, on-site non-potable water systems can help reduce the demand for drinkable water where it’s not required. We’re advocating for updates to the BC Building and Plumbing Code to require the highest efficiency standards for water use in buildings, and educating industry on the benefits of non-potable systems.</p></div>
6. Supporting building design and retrofit solutions that can reduce the impact of heat waves and wildfires.	6. Supporting building design and retrofit solutions that can reduce the impact of heat waves and wildfires.	<div class="ExternalClass5126FC9075CB49A092232DD5EA19303D"><p>With the increase in extreme weather and wildfires comes the need for a network of publicly accessible buildings that can provide cool, clean indoor air. We’re advocating the provincial government to establish more stringent standards for cooling, airtightness and filtration in new construction and retrofits to existing buildings to ensure that all Metro Vancouver residents have access to safe spaces.<br></p><p> <i class="fa-light fa-file" aria-hidden="true"></i> <a href="/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/thermal-safety-in-existing-multi-unit-residential-buildings.pdf" target="_blank">Thermal Safety in Existing Multi-Unit Residential Buildings</a></p></div>
7. Encouraging the adoption of design and retrofit solutions that increase resilience to severe storms and flooding.	7. Encouraging the adoption of design and retrofit solutions that increase resilience to severe storms and flooding.	<div class="ExternalClassCFBB5CF0B3104E3CA3046C9DB64C8330"><p>We’re working with the provincial government to update building design tools to “future proof” our new buildings – ensuring that they can withstand the heavier rains, flooding and stronger winds that climate change will bring. We’re also helping to educate industry on retrofit options that can increase the resilience of our existing buildings.<br></p></div>

Taking a whole building approach

To achieve our goals, we need to reduce our energy use, transition to clean and renewable energy sources and improve our buildings’ overall resiliency to the changing climate.

Improving Building Efficiency Info Graph

Real-life solutions that work.

Heat pumps

Installing high-efficiency electric heating and cooling equipment – like a heat pump – is usually the quickest, most economical and most permanent way to achieve a zero-emission building. In the winter, a heat pump warms your house by bringing heat indoors from the ground or outside air. In the summer, it pulls heat from inside and moves it outside. At the same time, the heat pump filters indoor air, making your home more resilient to smoky air from wildfires

How District Energy System Works Infograph

District energy sytems

Metro Vancouver is home to 18 district energy systems (2021) – centralized plants that efficiently heat all the buildings within a concentrated area (like a university campus or high-density neighbourhood). By transitioning our existing district energy systems from natural gas to electricity, we have the opportunity to simultaneously de-carbonize whole clusters of buildings throughout the region

What can I do?

While reaching our goals will require a number of large, structural changes, there are also things that we can do on an individual level every day. Most importantly, use less energy – whether that means air-drying your clothes, turning down the heat or taking shorter showers.

Ready to make a bigger move? If you’re able to make the switch from natural gas to electricity, you’ll reduce your home’s overall emissions by 94%.

Climate-ready buildings benefit everyone.

We know that implementing the necessary changes will require commitment, financial investment, collaboration, and a focus on social equity. But we’re committed to ensuring that the results will benefit us all.

When our buildings are zero-emission and resilient, they’ll withstand the effects of extreme weather, have less impact on the environment, and support our health. Cool spaces will offer relief during extreme heat; buildings with air-filtration systems will providesmoke-free space during wildfires. At the same time, better buildings will be a big boost to the economy, as energy-saving retrofits create thousands of jobs, unlock a massive market for made-in-BC high-performance materials and equipment and contribute billions to our GDP.

Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 strategy brings local context to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals, which are intended to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. Our Buildings Roadmap aligns with the UN’s 11^th goal, aimed at making all human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Buildings is one of Metro Vancouver’s ten Climate 2050 priorities.

Nature and Ecosytems	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/nature-and-ecosystems, Nature and Ecosytems	Nature and Ecosytems	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-nature-ecosystems-icon.svg, Naure and Ecosystems icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-nature-ecosystems-icon.svg
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/water-and-wastewater-infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-water-wastewater-icon.svg, Water and Wastewater icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-water-wastewater-icon.svg
Human Health and Well-Being	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/human-health-and-well-being, Human Health and Well-Being	Human Health and Well-Being	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-human-health-icon.svg, Human Health icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-human-health-icon.svg
Transportation	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/transportation, Transportation	Transportation	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-transportation-icon.svg, Transportation icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-transportation-icon.svg
Industry and Business	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/industry-and-business, Industry and Business	Industry and Business	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-industry-business-icon.svg, Industry and Business icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-industry-business-icon.svg
Energy	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/energy, Energy	Energy	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-energy-icon.svg, Energy icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-energy-icon.svg
Land Use and Urban Form	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/land-use-and-urban-form, Land Use and Urban Form	Land Use and Urban Form	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-land-use-icon.svg, Land use icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-land-use-icon.svg
Agriculture	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/agriculture, Agriculture	Agriculture	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-agriculture-icon.svg, Industry icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-agriculture-icon.svg
Waste	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/waste, Waste	Waste	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-waste-icon.svg, Waste icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-waste-icon.svg

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A pathway to resilient, zero-emission buildings in Metro Vancouver​

​​We envision healthy buildings.​​​