The BC Energy Step Code establishes a roadmap for building towards net-zero energy construction. This new voluntary standard in the Building Code may be required by local governments for some projects as soon as December 2017. The federal and provincial governments have also committed to moving building codes towards net-zero energy ready (the highest steps of the BC Energy Step Code) as soon as 2030. This new standard lays out a significant transformation for new buildings over the next 10–15 years, providing clarity to industry professionals about the skills and practices required to design and construct high performance buildings. This presentation will draw on recent research and guides developed for the BC Energy Step Code and how it will impact the design, construction and operation of new buildings in British Columbia.

Presentation by Andrew Pape-Salmon, Executive Director, Building and Safety Standards Branch.