INNOVATION November-December 2016

f ea t u r e s

REACHING TOWARDS ZERO The City of Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Building Plan

Susan Hayes, P.Eng.

2050 .

new Zero Emissions Building Plan outlines an ambitious approach to addressing building emissions. Under the plan, by 2025, new construction in Vancouver will emit greenhouse gases 90 percent below 2007 levels. By 2030, new buildings will be required to

That’s when the City of Vancouver plans

to be powered entirely by renewable energy. The city’s Renewable City Strategy 2015–2050 , which sets out how Vancouver will achieve sustainability targets by 2050, identifies buildings as a key energy user and greenhouse gas emitter. Taking the next step, the city’s

emit no greenhouse gases. 05

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