B.C. strategy needed to reduce carbon pollution at homeRe: Saanich’s proposed building code changes come under fire in the Feb. 21 Saanich News

Op-ed - Feb. 21, 2018 - By Karen Tam Wu

Published in Saanich News (February 20, 2018)

Carbon pollution from buildings must come down in order to meet B.C.’s climate targets. Photo: Stephen Hui, Pembina Institute

With flooding and wildfires on the rise, the negative effects of human-caused climate change are being felt here and now. Strong climate action is imperative to ensure B.C.’s continued prosperity in the changing world.

By 2030, the Pembina Institute estimates carbon pollution from the building sector must be slashed by half in order to meet B.C.’s legislated climate target for 2050. B.C. is taking action on new homes and buildings via the Energy Step Code; implementing it is still voluntary for municipalities.

What’s sorely needed is a strategy to reduce emissions from existing homes and buildings by an average of 60 per cent. This calls for the upgrading of 20,000 houses, two million square feet of commercial space, and one million square feet of high-rise apartments every year until 2050.

Karen Tam Wu, acting B.C. director
Pembina Institute

The Saanich News published this letter to the editor on February 20, 2018.

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Karen Tam Wu
Karen Tam Wu

Karen Tam Wu was the regional director of B.C. at the Pembina Institute until 2022.


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