The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) recently unveiled an updated version of its Zero Carbon Building Standard.
Version 2 incorporates lesson from over 20 zero carbon projects that represent a wide spectrum of building types including schools, offices, commercial offices, and industrial buildings. “These projects demonstrate that the industry is ready to raise the bar on expanded requirements for embodied carbon and energy efficiency,” according to a CaGBC news release.
The updated standard aims to get more buildings to zero, faster, by providing more options for different design strategies, by recognizing high-quality carbon offsets when necessary and providing new tools to help design zero carbon buildings and measure results, the release says. The standard provides two pathways for any type of building project—new construction or retrofit— to get to zero carbon. The standard provides a framework for verifying that buildings have achieved zero carbon, and it must be revisited annually.
Among the new requirements:
· Projects must now reduce and offset carbon emissions for the building’s life-cycle including the manufacture and use of construction materials.
· Best practices must be followed to minimize potential leaks of refrigerants.
· More stringent energy efficiency and air-tightness requirements were added.
· Projects must demonstrate two innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2017
After construction crane collapses during Irma, regulations questioned
Cranes rated for 140 mph winds didn’t hold up to 100 mph gusts.
Codes and Standards | Sep 20, 2017
Energy efficiency measures pay off in some not-so-obvious ways
Access to better financing, tax incentives, rent premiums, among the benefits to greener buildings.
Codes and Standards | Sep 19, 2017
Benchmarking regulations prompt jump in green certified properties
2016 saw a slight rise in total certified U.S. green office space.
Codes and Standards | Sep 18, 2017
Changes likely to come to federal wetlands regulations
However, states may step up regulations as feds relax them.
Codes and Standards | Sep 14, 2017
Gentrification means a new mindset for city planners
Rising rents elicit reexamination of zoning principles.
Codes and Standards | Sep 13, 2017
OSHA issues extension for compliance with crane operator certification requirements
Comments on proposed rule sought through Sept. 29.
Codes and Standards | Sep 12, 2017
Washington, D.C. is first LEED Platinum city in the world
All city government buildings are powered by renewables.
Codes and Standards | Sep 11, 2017
Natural solutions would be most effective flood resilience policies for Houston
New green infrastructure should be part of rebuild.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2017
Los Angeles luxury high-rise is first U.S. apartment building to achieve WELL Multifamily certification
Hollywood Proper Residences have verified indoor air and water quality features.
Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2017
More than half of Houston properties at high or moderate risk of flooding are not in FEMA flood zone
Properties outside of these zones are not required to carry flood insurance.