City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

C

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Greenhouse Gas Emission modelling was conducted as part of the 2022 OCP project to understand the policies available to reduce GHGs in existing and new buildings of all types.

What is Needed to Get to Net-Zero Emissions for New Buildings • Since 2022, the Zero Carbon Step Code has been introduced to complement the Energy Step Code in regulating GHGs and energy efficiency respectively when undertaking building construction under the BC Building Code. The City of Courtenay has adopted a policy to remain ahead of provincial step code requirements for both building efficiency and emissions. • The modelling work shows that in addition to being energy efficient and low carbon, additional measures to support electricity production on site (such as with solar PV systems) and installing the highest water efficiency and irrigation systems are important to reducing overall building impact on the environment. For Part 3 Buildings, green roof treatments are identified as opportunities to reduce the urban heat island effect, better manage stormwater, and promote biodiversity and guidelines are provided on what percentage of roof coverage should be pursued to maximize these benefits (Table C-3). What is Needed to Get to Net-Zero Emissions for Existing Buildings • The modelling also identified that existing buildings are a significant source of emissions. Whether incentivizing building owners to undertake retrofit activities, or as part of a planned renovation, the following targets show the scale of the effort to address emissions and energy efficiency of existing buildings.

• By 2040, 80% of buildings built before 2022 would need to be retrofitted to achieve deep energy efficiency improvements (achieving a minimum of 50% energy use reduction). The thermal energy supply in these buildings would need to be met through electric systems. • By 2050, 100% of buildings built before 2022 would need to be retrofitted to achieve deep energy efficiency improvements (achieving a minimum of 50% energy use reduction). The thermal energy supply in these buildings would need to be met through electric systems.

Coverage of Available Roof Space (Size of Green Roof)

Gross Floor Area (Size of Building) 2,000–4,999 m² 5,000–9,999 m² 10,000–14,999 m² 15,000–19,999 m² 20,000 m² or greater

20% 30% 40% 50%

60% Table C–1 Green roof area coverage by building floor area for Part 3 buildings. Available roof space is defined as the total roof area minus areas dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure. However, these two roof coverings are not mutually exclusive renewable energy infrastructure can be installed overtop green roofing, provided the plant species are shade tolerant.

PART C Thematic Policies