Climate Emergency: Home Heating and Cooling

The City of Vancouver wants to hear from you as they develop next steps to reduce carbon pollution and increase climate resiliency in Vancouver’s detached homes.

Nearly 60% of Vancouver's carbon pollution comes from burning natural gas (which is methane, a fossil fuel) for space and water heating in our buildings. Carbon pollution, also known as greenhouse gases or emissions, causes climate change and contributes to smog and air pollution, which impacts our health and environment.

That’s why, in 2020, City Council approved the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), our roadmap to cut Vancouver’s carbon pollution in half by 2030 and do our fair share in preventing climate breakdown.

The good news is by changing how we heat and cool our buildings, we can:

  • Increase home comfort
  • Better prepare our homes for extreme temperatures and wildfire smoke
  • Do our part to dramatically reduce Vancouver’s emissions

Through the 2016 Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) Plan, the City of Vancouver has reduced carbon pollution from new buildings, which now produce 70% less carbon pollution than they did in 2007.

Now, through CEAP, the focus is on reducing emissions from existing buildings.

What the City is asking now

This phase of engagement focuses on the following proposed regulations for detached homes:

  • Recommend to City Council that new space and water heating equipment (such as furnaces and hot water tanks) be more energy efficient, and/or use renewable energy when the old equipment needs to be replaced (due to end-of-life)
  • Recommend to City Council that major renovations to perform additional energy efficiency improvements
  • Highlight resources and supports for residents

How to get involved:

Complete the feedback form below, or visit the form . Comments will be received from Wednesday January 19 until Friday February 28, 2022.

Register to attend an upcoming free public workshop (1.5 hours each, hosted online using Webex):

Wednesday, February 2 at 7 PM PST

Saturday, February 26 at 10 AM PST

Ask their team a question by contacting green.buildings@vancouver.ca

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