Richmond Hill must build better in fight against climate change

As the city expands, new methods can construct properties with zero carbon emissions, writes Ramu Narayanan

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 3

Your home can function in a way that serves the environment while saving you money.

Buildings have a significant environmental footprint when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings produce about 39 per cent of the world’s energy and industrial process-related carbon dioxide emissions (with building use operations consisting of heating, cooling and lighting responsible for over two thirds of these emissions).

As such, there has been a push locally and globally to achieve zero carbon emissions from buildings in the next few decades. It is actually possible to construct buildings to have zero carbon emissions during use.

A 2019 study performed by the Canada Green Building Council showed that zero carbon-emitting buildings (i.e. zero emissions during building use) can, on average, "provide a positive financial return over a 25-year life-cycle," using existing climate-friendly building methods and only a modest increase in construction costs.

As the City of Richmond Hill continues to grow, it is important to carefully ponder how existing and new buildings can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be environmentally-friendly overall.

Critical to note: environmentally-friendly decisions should be made before construction. While it's possible to convert them after completion, it's more difficult.

Given the significant population growth predicted for Richmond Hill, and that new buildings (to meet this growth) can have a lifespan of many decades (if not more), it is important to make environmentally-friendly building choices early.

The City of Toronto -- Buildings and Fighting Climate Change
As we develop our plans in Richmond Hill, it is valuable to consider the approach adopted by the City of Toronto.

Toronto has established a Toronto Green Standard (TGS) which outlines rules for new building developments to ensure environmentally-friendly buildings.

The TGS works by specifying mandatory rules for new developments, as well as more stringent rules which, if met, allow the developers to get a refund on development charges paid to the city. This standard includes a zero emissions buildings framework, which details steps to achieve zero emissions in all new buildings by 2030.

According to the framework document: "The Framework is intended to ensure Toronto’s buildings reduce the built environment’s contribution to climate change, while improving its resilience to projected climate change impacts."

This is done through construction methods which first reduce energy demand through proper passive design methods (described below).

Secondly, the use of high efficiency mechanical and electrical systems must be adopted.

Finally, any remaining energy demand will be met by the use of low carbon sources of energy.

Passive design -- required by the TGS -- consists of using free energy (such as from the sun) to light, heat, cool, and ventilate building spaces. This reduces the need for energy from other sources, such as the electricity network to a great extent.

An important part of passive design is a high-quality building envelope that prevents unwanted air and heat from entering or leaving the building. This includes proper designs for walls, windows, roofs, and insulation.

According to the framework: "An airtight building envelope with high-performance insulation and windows ensures that unwanted heat gains and losses are minimized."

High efficiency systems include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that use high efficiency pumps, fans and motors.

Low carbon sources of energy include off-site and on-site renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and solar hot water systems as well as wind turbines.

The TGS includes more than just reduced climate emissions. It also includes tree planting, support for native plant and pollinator species, rooftop vegetation, bird-friendly windows, and other environmentally-friendly measures.

As a result, new constructions in Toronto are adopting sustainable methods. For instance, consider the sustainable buildings initiative from Toronto Community Housing, where sustainable building practices have been adopted at several sites, including 150 Dan Leckie Way and 230 Sackville St.

The 150 Dan Leckie Way site has been designed to avoid ecologically sensitive land, have 50 per cent of its roof as a green roof or rooftop garden, and have water fixtures which use "50 per cent less water than a typical building’s fixtures," among other environmentally friendly features.

What You Can Do For Richmond Hill
So how can you help Richmond Hill adopt zero emissions standards for buildings?

For your existing house, consider adopting the three principles used in the TGS noted above (i.e. passive design, energy efficient systems, and renewable sources of energy) when possible.

Concrete measures include making sure your windows are properly air sealed with no air leaks, lowering your thermostat temperature while you are away from home, installing solar panels, and performing an energy audit. You can find additional options at davidsuzuki.org.

Also, the City of Richmond Hill has introduced a program called Resilient Richmond Hill, which engages residents on various climate change initiatives, including the development of a Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP).

The city is asking for feedback on whether Richmond Hill should set a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. City council will review recommendations from the CEEP in the first quarter of 2021.

Now is the time to visit the Resilient Richmond Hill website and write to your city councillors and mayor to push for zero climate emissions for buildings and other sectors.

It is important that your voice is heard, as this is a big step for our city.