32%
Key Driver
3. Create efficient, low-emission and resilient buildings
The transition to efficient, low carbon buildings in Kelowna is not only about reducing GHG emissions but also about increasing the city’s resilience against extreme weather and natural disasters.
Contribution to 2030 Emissions Target
Equity Considerations
• “Energy poverty” reduction (i.e., supporting households who are struggling to pay their home energy bills.) • Affordable cooling during extreme heat waves, and heating during extreme cold events.Co-Benefits
- Improved health
- Improved livability
- Improved air quality
- New jobs
Climate Hazards Addressed
- Heat
- Cold
- Wildfire
- Flood
- Air quality
Strategies
B1. Support retrofits to create more efficient, low emission, resilient residential buildings
Actions focused on education and information can empower residents with the resources they need to undertake home retrofits, reduce energy waste and improve indoor air quality.
B2. Support retrofits to create more efficient, low emission, resilient non-residential buildings
Non-residential buildings represent 15 per cent of the current building stock. By promoting energy benchmarking, commercial retrofit programs and utility programs focused on improving energy efficiency, Kelowna can increase the speed at which non-residential buildings are retrofitted.
B3. Accelerate adoption of low emission, efficient new buildings
New construction is an opportunity to lock in low-emission, energy-efficient and resilient buildings for generations to come. Accelerating the adoption of the higher Energy Step Code and/or Zero Carbon Step Code levels can advance these efforts.
B4. Increase the resilience of new construction to local climate hazards
New building design should include resilient features to prepare for climate change. Advocating to senior government for heat-risk reduction and FireSmart requirements, investigating options for green infrastructure at the site level are ways to reduce risks from climate hazards.