If you are an elected official in BC and would like to connect with other locally elected officials and learn about the Zero Carbon Step Code (an opt-in carbon performance standard for new construction being made available to local governments as of May 1), join the first BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council (BCMCLC) meeting of 2023.

When: May 17, 2023, 10 am to noon Pacific Time
Who is the Meeting For: Any and all locally elected officials in BC
Register for the Meeting here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5UkcuCgpzkoHtxsw81rBGONosd7yPRRLhz3

Why now?
Local governments have great authority to influence new construction and create more comfortable and climate-friendly buildings and homes. In just a few weeks, changes will be made to the BC Building Code that will require new buildings to be about 20% more energy efficient than what is currently the law. On May 1, whether local governments have passed their own bylaws on the Energy Step Code or not, changes are coming:

• For Part 3 buildings, including large commercial, retail, and residential units: Step 2 will be the new minimum standard
• For Part 9 buildings, such as single-family dwellings and duplexes: Step 3 will be the new minimum.

In addition to these Province-wide energy efficiency standards, May 1 also marks the launch of the opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code (formerly known as the Carbon Pollution Standard). Local governments must choose to adopt to directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from new construction alongside the energy efficiency requirements in the Energy Step Code and building code.

This BCMCLC network meeting will focus on the Zero Carbon Step Code and how your community can lead in stepping up energy efficiency and carbon performance in new construction.

About BCMCLC
The BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council is a network facilitated by the Community Energy Association (CEA) with guidance from a steering committee composed of 12-15 elected officials from every region of BC. BCMCLC brings together any and all locally elected officials interested in accelerating the implementation of low-carbon solutions, while also supporting multiple community priorities. Network meeting topics and content will focus on networking, information sharing, and how high-impact projects in a community or region can be adapted successfully in other communities. The goal is to share and replicate outcomes, not effort.