Description
Building standards can help to promote transition of local construction to building all new buildings to net-zero carbon. While local municipalities cannot directly regulate energy efficiency of buildings, energy-focused common standards across local municipalities can help to encourage buildings to be built to net-zero or net-zero ready building standards earlier, and reduce the number of buildings that need to be retrofitted later. These standards will take time to develop but will support the efforts in actions 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.
This work will be led by the Area Municipalities with support from the Region of Waterloo and WR Community Energy. Please see below for the most recent publicly available updates.
WR COMMUNITY ENERGY
WR Community Energy is currently leading a study on region-wide High-Performance Development Standards for new building construction in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and area municipal planning & building services departments. As referenced in the WRCE 2022 Progress Report, high performance development standards are a critical policy tool for municipalities to ensure our new buildings are future-ready and meet our community needs. The first phase of engagement occurred in the spring of 2024. A Discussion draft is now available on EngageWR. For more information, refer to the project's EngageWR page.
CITY OF WATERLOO
The City is contributing to the development of harmonized high performance development standards which will focus on reducing the GHG emissions of new builds.
CITY OF KITCHENER
City of Kitchener's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan identifies green development standards as a corporate priority in "Cultivating a green city together" and is working closely with WR Community Energy on the High-Performance Development Standards
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH
As part of the new Official Plan, The Township of Woolwich has committed to support zero-carbon development of all new buildings. Woolwich is also working with WR Community Energy on the High-Performance Development Standards.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
WR Community Energy is currently leading a study on Region-wide High Performance Standards (HPDS) for new building construction in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and area municipal planning and building services departments. High Performance Standards were identified in the TransformWR community climate action plan and the Community Energy Investment Strategy as a way to plan for climate change and sustainability in new developments. The HPDS are an essential step towards future-proofing and creating resilient communities, defining the attributes of net zero buildings, and managing the energy transition.