Building planner Chris Higgins discusses Vancouver's journey to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. Topics include the development of energy-efficient building codes, the process of mandating zero-emission heating systems in new buildings, and the use of incentives to incentivize a shift to renewables. The podcast also explores the similarities and differences between US and Canadian markets in shaping policy and incentives.
Incentives such as floor area bonuses and rebates play a crucial role in driving the adoption of renewable energy technologies and aligning economic interests.
Vancouver's focus on resiliency through building codes and regulations demonstrates its commitment to protecting residents and infrastructure from environmental risks like flooding and wildfires.
Deep dives
Building Renewable Energy into City Planning
The podcast episode discusses the journey of one city, Vancouver, in integrating renewable energy into its city planning process. The focus is on achieving 100% of energy needs from renewable sources by 2050. The city has implemented building codes and policies that promote energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage the switch to renewable energy sources like heat pumps. This includes mandating zero-emission equipment for heating in new residential buildings and offering incentives for existing homes to transition to renewables. The episode also explores the similarities and differences between the US and Canadian markets in shaping policies and incentives for renewable energy.
The Role of Carrots in Policy Development
Carrots or incentives play a crucial role in shaping policies and driving the transition to renewable energy. Vancouver has implemented various effective carrot strategies. For instance, they offer an 18% floor area bonus for buildings that install heat pumps, which encourages developers to embrace electrification. This incentive has resulted in tangible benefits for homeowners, such as additional bedrooms and improved comfort. Similarly, a 5% floor area bonus is provided for larger buildings. In addition to floor area bonuses, Vancouver has utilized short-term incentives like rebates for homeowners to install heat pumps and foster market demand. Carrots are essential in aligning economic interests, driving investment, and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
Learning from Inspiring Cities
The city of Vancouver finds inspiration and shares knowledge with other cities and regions that are leading in sustainable building practices. They look to cities like New York City, Seattle, and Portland for their progressive building policies and sustainable practices. Vancouver also draws inspiration from international examples, such as Norway, where heat pumps are widely adopted despite the colder climate. They learn from cities like Oslo in their achievements in carbon reduction through heat pump installations. Additionally, the podcast mentions how a conference in Beijing showcased the scale of zero-emission developments and clean construction in China, providing valuable insights for Vancouver's urban development plans. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other cities locally and abroad contribute to Vancouver's continuous learning and growth.
Addressing Resiliency and Mitigating Environmental Risks
Vancouver has implemented building codes and regulations to address resiliency and mitigate environmental risks. To combat the risk of flooding, the city has required a community to be raised and implemented flood-ready construction standards, such as elevated mechanical rooms. They have also taken precautions against wildfires in vulnerable areas, such as requiring fire-resistant construction for buildings in high-risk regions. Vancouver draws from examples like the FireSmart initiative in communities with higher wildfire risks, incorporating measures like non-combustible cladding and fire-resistant roofs. The city's focus on resiliency demonstrates its commitment to protecting its residents and infrastructure from environmental hazards.
This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.
Chris Higgins works for the city of Vancouver, British Columbia as a building planner, where he spearheads the development of energy-efficient building codes that contribute to Vancouver's ambition of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. Chris works on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through rezoning building policies for new buildings to be on all renewables, the “sticks,” and creating incentives for existing homes to switch to renewables, the “carrots.”
On the “stick” side, Chris was responsible for driving and helping to get Vancouver City Council to pass a sweeping policy to mandate that heating systems in new low-rise residential buildings be zero-emission, specifically using electric heat pumps. We discuss the complex process it took to get there. On the "carrot" side, we examine how strategically timed short and long-term incentives can align the economic interests of developers, manufacturers, and Vancouver residents, motivating a shift to renewable energy. We also talk about the similarities and differences between the US and Canadian markets on shaping policy and incentives in this area.
In this episode, we cover:
[02:28]: Chris's background and current role
[07:56]: Vancouver vs. other cities and its unique features
[09:12]: Vancouver's climate leadership and influence on other cities
[11:23]: What it means to be a Charter City
[15:08]: The 2022 update to Vancouver's building bylaw and shift to heat pumps
[18:29]: The smooth transition and industry adaptation to the new heating regulations
[22:22]: Balancing environmental goals with job protection
[25:56]: The ripple effect of Vancouver's policies on other municipalities
[31:20]: Potential for Vancouver's policies to influence provincial and national levels
[35:02]: The role of 'carrots', or incentives, in shaping city policies
[39:41]: The importance of economic alignment in policy success
[41:35]: Drawing inspiration from other cities and countries for urban planning
[45:46]: Vancouver's strategies for resilience against natural disasters
Episode recorded on Oct 31, 2023 (Published on Jan 11, 2024)
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