The path to "net-zero energy" buildings in BC

The Path to “Net-Zero Energy” Buildings in BC The case for action and the role of public policy Tom-Pierre Frappé-Sénéclauze • Maximilian Kniewasser Pembina Institute July 2015 The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions gratefully acknowledges the generous endowment provided by the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Environment in 2008. [...] Focusing on the uptake of energy efficiency technologies in new buildings, this paper does not explicitly address the role of on-site renewable energy, the unique challenges related to the low-rise residential sector, nor the goal of reducing energy in the existing building stock—though some of the policies discussed in this paper can also support these other aspects of a broader building sector e [...] To provide a context for the adoption of energy efficiency targets in BC, we review the targets set and the approach taken by three leading jurisdictions: the European Union and the states of California and Washington. [...] The EU example offers guidance on what is possible, while the California and Washington examples help to situate BC in the context of its PCC partners—close economic neighbours moving in the same direction will smooth the road for BC The European Union The EU considers a transition to energy efficient buildings to be a core part of its climate change strategy. [...] The former pushes the compliance burden to the future as energy gains will be harder to achieve towards the end of the regulatory period, while the latter pushes the compliance towards the present.