The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund will support the development of advanced building technology and innovative low-carbon solutions for the places where British Columbians work and live. — Photo courtesy Government of BC
As part of government’s CleanBC plan, the CleanBC Building Innovation Fund will support the development of advanced building technology and innovative low-carbon solutions for the places where British Columbians work and live.
“We’re taking action to help make better, cleaner buildings,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “By using more clean energy and using it more efficiently in our buildings, we’re helping people to reduce energy costs, reduce impact on climate change and improve air quality.”
The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund launched on May 9, 2019, and will provide $1.8 million in funding to manufacturers, developers, builders and program administrators for the development and demonstration of innovative, low-carbon building solutions. It will accelerate the availability, convenience and affordability of advanced building designs, construction methods and technologies that are super-efficient and have minimal greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime.
“Reducing emissions from buildings requires cost-effective, high performance solutions that are readily available and affordable to people across the province,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “These include advanced building designs and construction methods, as well as ultra-efficient building components.”
Program details, including specifics on how to apply for funding, are available here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/energy-efficiency-conservation/programs/cleanbc-building-innovation-fund
Successful applicants for the first round of funding will be announced in summer 2019.
The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund program is a part of government’s CleanBC plan to cut climate pollution, boost the economy and make life better for people. CleanBC is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus and supports a commitment in the Confidence and Supply Agreement to implement climate action to meet B.C.’s targets.
The CleanBC Building Innovation Fund will provide funding to promote innovation in three categories:
- Research – building solutions that show promise but may require further innovation before being commercialized (e.g., vacuum-insulated wall panels and windows, natural gas heat pumps) – expected to award five to 10 projects per year;
- Commercialization – building solutions that have been tested and are ready to be scaled up for wider application (e.g., high-performance prefabricated external insulation systems) – expected to award three to five projects per year; and
- Demonstration – building solutions currently available in the marketplace that require demonstration to build industry capacity and public acceptance (e.g., net-zero energy ready construction) – expected to award two to three projects per year.
Every new building and renovation is an opportunity to save energy and reduce costs for British Columbians, and every dollar spent on energy efficiency programs generates between four and eight dollars of gross domestic product.
Energy efficiency in Canada improved by 25% between 1990 and 2014. This improvement helped avoid more than 85 million tonnes of carbon pollution and saved Canadians more than $38 billion.
The green building industry employs approximately 32,000 British Columbians in jobs ranging from architecture, to manufacturing and installation.
CleanBC invests $902 million over three years for programs, making B.C. the leader in Canada in tackling climate change and protecting the province’s clean air, land and water.
