The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has unveiled a new version of its Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard. ZCB-Design v3 evaluates a building’s emissions across all phases of its lifecycle and awards certification to projects that model a zero-carbon balance.

Balance is calculated by measuring “the net emissions that result from sources and sinks of carbon emissions.” Both new building projects as well as deep carbon retrofits can pursue certification.

It’s hoped that a focus on zero-carbon design will help Canada’s building sector more effectively eliminate emissions, reduce the need for future retrofits and expand innovation and growth in the industry.

CaGBC explains:

“Zero carbon buildings represent the industry’s best opportunity for cost-effective emissions reductions that can also spur innovation in design, building materials and technology, and create jobs and business opportunities.”

The ZCB-Design standard has evolved to more directly address two big hurdles to reducing the impact of buildings on the planet: Embodied Carbon and combustion.

Embodied Carbon

For the first time, the design standard has included targets for embodied carbon (EC) reduction, reflecting the green building industry’s growing recognition of the impact of embodied carbon on climate change.

A build team could choose to achieve an absolute embodied carbon intensity of ≤500 kg CO2 e/m2 or aim for improvements of ≥10% compared to a baseline.

Combustion

Operational combustion is another focus of the standard. Under the new version, buildings in Canada must be able to meet heating needs without onsite combustion down to -10C. Below that temperature, combustion heating is permitted as a backup. Combustion from stoves, ranges and fireplaces is no longer allowed.

Project managers can choose to electrify projects or use zero emissions bio-fuels. Unlike in version 2, buildings that are entirely electrified won’t be held to a thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI) target.

Projects must also include two Impact and Innovation strategies such as onsite renewable energy systems or wastewater recovery.

CaGBC notes that it’s expected that ZCB-Design certified projects will verify their emissions through ZCB-Performance certification once the building is operational. Version 2 will close in September of 2022.

Image credit: Drew Dau

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