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Policy Solution

Energy efficient building codes

Mandate

Case Studies

Summary

Setting more energy efficient building energy codes can drive the implementation of cooling strategies. Mechanical cooling often makes up a large portion of total building energy use. Adoption of more energy efficient designs and technologies such as passive cooling and sensor systems to measure usage can reduce overall heat gain by reducing waste heat and minimize the building’s cooling load.

Implementation

Update building energy codes to require increased energy efficiency in new and existing buildings. Building Performance Standards can be used to set long-term goals with phased; interim targets.

Considerations for Use

This intervention will have the greatest impact in geographies anticipating increasing or continued growth with new development. Governing authorities without sufficient capacity or authority to adopt regulations could consider voluntary requirements. Energy efficient building codes are particularly impactful in hot and humid climates where mechanical cooling makes up a significant portion of energy costs.

Overview

  • Climate:

    Cold, Hot/Dry, Hot/Humid, Temperate

  • Policy Levers:

    MandateMandates are government regulations that require stakeholders to meet standards through building codes, ordinances, zoning policies, or other regulatory tools.

  • Trigger Points:

    City planning processesIncludes city initiatives such as the development of climate action plan, pathway to zero-energy, master plan, transit plan, energy mapping etc.
    Introducing new or updated zoning/codesIncludes codes, zoning requirements or by-laws pertaining to urban planning and building construction activity.
    No-regrets actions (low cost/low effort but substantial benefit)Interventions that are relatively low-cost and low effort (in terms of requisite dependencies) but have substantial environmental and/or social benefits.

  • Intervention Types:

    Buildings and Built Form

  • Sectors:

    Buildings

Case Studies

Impact

  • Target Beneficiaries:

    Property owners, Residents

  • Phase of Impact:

    Risk reduction and mitigation

  • Metrics:

    Change in energy consumption, Energy savings, Number of complying buildings

Implementation

  • Intervention Scale:

    City, Region, State/Province

  • Authority and Governance:

    City government, State/provincial government

  • Implementation Timeline:

    Medium-term (3-9 Years)

  • Implementation Stakeholders:

    City government, Private developers, Property owners and managers

  • Funding Sources:

    Private investment

  • Capacity to Act:

    High, Medium

Benefits

  • Cost-Benefit:

    Low

  • Public Good:

    N/A

  • GHG Reduction:

    Medium

  • Co-benefits (Climate/Environmental):

    Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

  • Co-benefits (Social/Economic):

    Save on utilities