B1.7Reduce embodied carbon and improve resilience in new buildings

Globally, buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with 11% attributed to the materials and construction process. These emissions - known as embodied carbon - are generated through the extraction, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and eventual disposal of building materials. As operational emissions from buildings are reduced through the adoption of low-carbon mechanical systems, the relative impact of embodied carbon is becoming increasingly significant.

In many cases, low-carbon alternatives to conventional building materials are available, including sustainably sourced mass timber. However, as an emerging area of policy and practice, further work is needed to determine how the City can effectively encourage and incentivize the use of low-carbon materials in new construction.

In parallel, buildings must also be designed to withstand the growing impacts of climate change, including more frequent heat waves and smoke from wildfires. Incorporating passive and active cooling, along with enhanced air filtration, can help ensure that new buildings maintain safe and comfortable indoor environments both now and in the future. The City will explore how best to encourage and, where appropriate, require these climate-resilient features, working in coordination with evolving provincial standards.