Executive summary
- The purpose of this report is to share the findings of the research conducted as part of Program One of the Climate Action Plan and to recommend minor amendments to the Guidelines as a result of this work.
- The Climate Action Plan (2020) sets a target for the community to become net carbon neutral by 2050.
- One of the key program areas identified in the plan is that the City should consider an update to the Guidelines to create a tiered set of performance measures for new buildings.
- Program One states that: “Staff will update the existing Sustainable Building and Development Guideline, researching best practices in other jurisdictions and legislative authority. The Guidelines will include a tiered set of performance measures that will require, incentivize and/or encourage new buildings to be built to a low carbon standard. Financing mechanisms will be explored that help reduce upfront costs.”
- Additionally, this report also provides feedback on the staff direction from SD-15-18 to: “Direct the Director of City Building to report back on the feasibility of implementing a by-law regarding green roofs and other technologies including the review of other municipalities (SD-15-18)”.
Climate implications
- Burlington City Council declared a climate emergency in April 2019 in response to the concerns about the impact that a changing climate is having on the city and communities around the globe. The Climate Action Plan (2020) sets a target for the community to become net carbon neutral by 2050.
- One of the key program areas identified in the plan is that the City should consider an update to the Guidelines to create a tiered set of performance measures for new buildings.
- This project considered a tiered set of performance measures as well as other mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Building and Development Guidelines which would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, better energy efficiency and delivering higher quality buildings.
- Although there are constraints to implementing these options at the present time, there are incremental steps, including the consideration of a comprehensive Community Improvement Plan Strategy, that can be considered in the future to work toward supporting new developments to contribute to the City’s objectives for climate change resilience.