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CHBA Position on Net Zero

CHBA Position on Net Zero

To be clear, CHBA’s position on Net Zero is as follows:

  • The Canadian Board on Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is developing and implementing code provisions related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the National Model Building Codes. Currently, the proposed codes for 2025 will include operational GHG emissions, and in 2030 it will include embodied GHG emissions, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. (It is currently not including renewable energy generation.) 
  • CHBA is not opposed to a tiered code system that looks ahead to the future levels of performance (and could support voluntary programming to those levels), but we do not support regulating those levels until it can be shown that they are cost effective and are not going to reduce affordability. Given the excellent performance of today’s new houses, the focus of government and industry should be on innovating, so the next levels of improvement do not cost home buyers more. 
  • CHBA has been very clear on this position to not regulate anything that reduces affordability, including net zero, in discussions with the federal government in all our advocacy. This has been expressed in meetings we have had directly with the departments and ministers’ staff, and with the CBHCC. This position also applies with regards to municipal and provincial governments. 
  • The biggest danger is not a tiered national code but provinces and/or municipalities trying to outdo each other and get there faster, especially when applied through “codes by other means” such as bylaws and “green development standards”. This will be problematic for industry, and a major cost and affordability problem for home buyers. 
  • CHBA has always supported innovation, choice, and the pursuit of new approaches and technology that can help members build better homes that homebuyers can afford. CHBA is leading on innovation towards Net Zero, but on a voluntary basis to find the best ways of achieving higher levels of performance, giving members a market advantage by providing a Net Zero product for consumers that want it. 
  • Prior to CHBA taking the lead, others were leading activity on net zero and were pushing for it in the code with complete disregard for the financial interests of home buyers; CHBA took action to do it right, get builders leading, and do it on a voluntary-not-code basis. 
  • Net Zero and Net Zero Ready are great options for home buyers that can and wish to make the investment. However, until these or any other levels of performance can be shown to not affect affordability, they should not be regulated. 

 


Page updated 2024-OCT-29