Local governments have been active in climate action for twenty years, but we need to do more. Metro Vancouver worked with residents, municipalities, and other partners to develop a roadmap for climate action for buildings in this region.
In 2021 Metro Vancouver published a Climate 2050 Buildings Roadmap exploring opportunities for deep emissions reductions for buildings. 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.
What you will find in this roadmap
Buildings provide spaces for shelter, comfort, productivity and recreation—this is where we spend most of our time. But homes, business locations, schools, hospitals, and every other building in the region emits greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Constructing new buildings and upgrading existing ones provides the opportunity to improve human and environmental health.
Buildings generate 25% of regional emissions, mostly from the fuels we burn to heat and cool them. Emissions are higher from buildings with less insulation and older windows or equipment. As well, the location and design of new buildings influence exposure to climate change hazards, such as flooding and wildfire. To increase our resilience, we need to accelerate our climate actions to reduce emissions from buildings and manage the impacts from hazards.
We’ve created a roadmap to help us reach a low carbon, resilient future. By 2050, we can improve energy efficiency and transition to clean, renewable energy sources—like electricity—and we can require minimum levels of energy performance. We can also assist building owners with assessment tools and support to identify cost-effective investments that increase resilience.
Comments are welcome anytime. Have questions or need information? Email the
project team.
