CaGBC announces updates to Zero Carbon Building Standard

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has made several updates to its Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Standard in order to fast track carbon reductions.

Canada’s buildings are a top contributor to carbon emissions, representing 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Updates to the ZCB Standard reflect the urgent need for change.

The ZCB Standard v2 provides two pathways for any type of building to reach zero carbon.

ZCB Standard v2 updates focus on these key components:

• Embodied Carbon: Projects must now reduce and offset carbon emissions for the building’s life-cycle, including those associated with the manufacture and use of construction materials.
• Refrigerants: ZCB Standard v2 encourages best practices to minimize potential leaks of refrigerants that, when released, can have significant short-term impacts on climate.
• Energy Efficiency: ZCB Standard v2 promotes the efficient use of clean energy with more stringent energy efficiency and airtightness requirements.
• Innovation: ZCB-Design encourages innovation by requiring projects demonstrate two innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

These updates  are designed to eliminate carbon outputs, while also being flexible enough for zero carbon buildings to reach the mainstream. The updates also provide the guidance for more owners and developers to build to zero now and as part of their plans for the future.

Read the full news here.