City of Victoria requiring all new construction to be zero carbon by 2025

The City of Victoria announced in a press release on Monday that all new buildings constructed in the city will be required to be carbon neutral by July 2025.

The new zero carbon requirement is part of the city’s larger climate action plan which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

“Buildings account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas pollution generated in the city,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “Each new building will last more than 50 years so raising the bar now is critical to meeting our long-term climate goals, and to preparing the taxpayers of the future to have less climate-related costs down the road.”

The city hopes the new standard will reduce emissions by 7% overall, which would be a significant chunk of their goal of 80% over the next three decades.

The BC Provincial government has enacted a plan of its own for new builds across the province, setting a target of 2030, which puts Victoria five years ahead of the provincial plan.

The city’s plan was developed following engagement with the local building industry, the District of Saanich and the District of Central Saanich with support from the CRD.