Victoria to ban use of fossil fuels in new buildings

Citing concern about climate change and pollution, Victoria council has made the decision to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gases in new buildings five years ahead of provincial requirements.

Almost all new construction in Victoria, B.C., in Canada – from single-family homes to office and residential towers – will be required to be “zero carbon” producers by 2025, meaning they can’t be heated with fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane or fuel oil.

Climate action for the City of Victoria said the no-fossil-fuels requirement for new buildings is part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 per cent and move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.

Victoria is among the first municipalities in the province to make the move for new construction, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. For most projects, that will likely mean using electricity to power equipment for space heating, water heating, cooking and drying clothes.

The decision comes ahead of the province’s new building code and pollution guidelines, to be announced later this year.

Saanich and Central Saanich councils are considering a similar move. All three municipalities have had engagement processes with developers and builders. The Capital Regional District is supporting early adoptions of the plans.

It will provide local governments with the ability to limit greenhouse emissions from new construction.