British Columbia is Serious About Climate Smart Construction

While climate change and its related effects remain a global challenge, British Columbia municipalities are taking action to reduce its impact at the local level. Cities and towns across B.C. are encouraging low carbon construction using light-frame wood and mass timber, along with high-performance energy-efficient design. All of which they hope will lead to greater economic growth. Wood construction is a central component of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) housing strategy for British Columbians. And in the summer of 2020, the City of Vancouver made amendments to allow mass timber construction up to 12 stories for residential and commercial use, doubling the current height allowance for wood from 6 stories. Other municipalities, big and small, are also encouraging more low carbon timber-built construction. More than 370 buildings in the province feature mass timber and thirteen BC communities have signed on as early adopters of mass timber for taller wood building.