Innovative Zero Emissions Building Exchange launches in Vancouver to accelerate exemplary buildings

The first of its kind in Canada, ZEBx is a catalyst for emerging industry innovation in response to the world-leading sustainability policies of Vancouver. — Photo courtesy ZEBx

Vancouver, BC—A pioneering collaboration to accelerate zero emission buildings in Vancouver and British Columbia has officially launched with an opening ceremony with Mayor Gregor Robertson and key partners. ZEBx, the Zero Emissions Building Exchange, is a centre of excellence that will increase knowledge, capacity and passion for cost-effective, attractive, low energy residential and commercial buildings. The first of its kind in Canada, ZEBx is a catalyst for emerging industry innovation in response to the world-leading sustainability policies of Vancouver.

By 2025, new building projects in the City of Vancouver must have near zero emissions, as outlined in the city’s 2016 Zero Emission Building Plan. British Columbia’s Energy Step Code aims to have all residential and commercial construction designed to “net zero ready” by 2032. With the imminent wide-spread adoption of low-energy building design and construction, ZEBx’s launch is a direct response to industry’s capacity challenge. ZEBx will support local industry and accelerate market transformation by identifying opportunities and navigating barriers to advance design and construction practices towards a low-carbon future.

“We are thrilled to launch Canada’s first Zero Emissions Building Exchange. Zero emission buildings are the future of Canadian infrastructure, and provide healthy, liveable and affordable places to live, play and work,” said Christian Cianfrone, Executive Director – ZEBx. “Until today, industry lacked the space necessary to collaborate and effectively exchange knowledge. Through ZEBx’s unique, industry-serving platform, we’ll create both a physical and virtual space to develop a community of practice and connect industry with relevant, curated content.

From July onwards, ZEBx will begin to connect industry with solutions by collaborating with strategic partners to facilitate knowledge exchange through a range of initiatives currently in development, including dialogues, project tours, and demonstrations. A neutral, one-stop-shop for low-energy building resources, ZEBx aims to empower builders, developers, architects and designers with the tools necessary to achieve their zero emissions targets.

“Vancouver is committed to being 100 percent renewably-powered by 2050 and it’s essential to dramatically reduce our climate pollution from buildings, which produce 56 per cent of the city’s carbon emissions,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “With the launch of the Zero Emissions Building Exchange here in Vancouver, we continue to be on the leading edge of green building and another step closer to reaching our goal of becoming the world’s greenest city, one building at a time.”

ZEBx is funded by the City of Vancouver, hosted by the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and has established key partnerships with Passive House Canada and the Open Green Building Society. ZEBx received additional support from industry stakeholders, including BCIT, Canada Green Building Council, Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, Roofing Contractors Association of BC, SFU, UBC, Vancity, Wood WORKS! BC, and many more companies, government agencies and NGOs.

While ZEBx’s focus is on Vancouver and British Columbia, the Exchange’s truly collaborative model, combined with its dissemination of design and construction innovations ensures it will bolster Vancouver’s reputation in the worldwide community as a global centre of excellence for greenhouse gas reductions in buildings.