June 24, 2008

Shifting into the Mainstream Conference

British Columbia housing minister explains province’s “green” building code

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

The government of British Columbia is taking a leading role in Canada to reduce greenhouse gases with the “greening” of its building code, the province’s housing minister says.

“Greening of the B.C. Building Code will reduce the environmental footprint of buildings,” Rich Coleman told delegates to the Canada Green Building Council’s recent Shifting Into the Mainstream summit in Toronto.

“It is one of the steps being taken across government to meet our target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2010,” he said.

“All of this happened in a year,” said Coleman of the speedy legislative process that led to the code changes announced earlier this year that come into effect in September.

Key provisions include a requirement that houses, multi-family buildings under five storeys and small commercial and industrial buildings have new insulation levels. High-rise residential buildings and larger commercial buildings must meet ASHRAE 90 standards.

Those standards will also apply to the province’s own inventory of subsidized and non-profit housing, said Coleman.

“We want to be a leader in the design of affordable housing and work with tenants to create a culture of conversation.”

Another major green house initiative is a plan to raise the maximum four-storey height for wood-framed apartment buildings to encourage more use of the province’s timber resources. Coleman said he favours the maximum going to six storeys.

Coleman also touched on the province’s consumer carbon tax. “It was popular when it was first announced. Perhaps not so popular now.”

Noting he will soon be a grandfather, Coleman said it’s vital the province proceed with the tax and not give in to any opposition that may arise. “You can make a choice to step back. You can send a message that you give up. But you can’t do that or you send a message you’ve failed. I don’t want to fail that grandchild.”

Immediately following Coleman’s presentation, the chair of the World Green Building Council presented the global overview. There are now 12 green building councils totalling 47 countries, including China, where a council was just formed two months ago, said Kevin Hydes.

However, there are still many barriers to a collective strategy in battling greenhouse emissions. Construction is a $4.6 trillion global industry but its highly “fragmented” nature often acts as a barrier to the design and delivery of sustainable buildings, said Hydes.

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