Tell Vancouver City Council to defend its climate-safe building bylaw

On July 23rd, a shocking last-minute decision was made by City Council to reverse Vancouver’s climate progress and allow for an increase in pollution from new buildings.

While Vancouver’s building bylaws are backed by climate science, this dangerous new rollback is driven by pressure from the gas industry.

The amendment was brought forward by City Councillor Brian Montague – yes, the very same Councillor that was recently caught meeting with a FortisBC lobbyist.

This abrupt move to relax the rules around heating sources in new buildings rewinds decades of essential progress in a city that’s known for its climate leadership.

Gas burned in buildings is responsible for close to 60% of Vancouver’s climate pollution, whereas electric power from heat pumps leads to 16 times less pollution – electricity is far more efficient, and more affordable.

Luckily, this is not a done deal. If enough of us raise our voice by calling on Vancouver City Council to immediately reverse this short-sighted move, we can defend this climate bylaw from gas industry lobbyists – and prevent pollution on a massive scale.

Will you send Vancouver City Council a letter now, telling them to reverse this amendment to weaken climate rules for new buildings?

Email Vancouver City Council

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Country

Zip or Postal Code

Mobile Number

I want to receive action alerts and campaign updates from Stand.earth (untick to unsubscribe from all communications)

Yes, I would like to receive SMS alerts

By submitting your mobile number you are agreeing to receive periodic text messages from Stand.earth. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for info. Text STOP at any time to cancel.

PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGE

Your letter is more effective when it's been personalized by you. The most impactful letters include details about your life, why you care personally, or how you'll be impacted by this decision.

Councillor

Rebecca

Bligh

Vancouver City Council

Councillor

Lisa

Dominato

Vancouver City Council

Councillor

Sarah

Kirby-Yung

Vancouver City Council

Councillor

Pete

Fry

Vancouver City Council

Councillor

Adriane

Carr

Vancouver City Council

Councillor

Christine

Boyle

Vancouver City Council

Dear {contact_data~position} {contact_data~lastName},

My name is {user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}, and I am a Vancouver resident. I’m writing today to share my concerns about a recent amendment which passed on July 23rd to reverse the city’s important climate bylaw for new buildings.

Vancouver City Council needs to act immediately to reverse this ill-advised decision and fully restore its bylaw that requires new buildings to be heated with energy efficient electric appliances.

Building all-electric is one of the easiest and most affordable actions that we can take to protect communities from increasing climate disasters. From deadly heat domes to extreme wildfires, droughts and storms, these disasters are already costing B.C. communities billions of dollars. Rolling back this long-standing bylaw is a short-sighted and outdated decision.

Burning gas in buildings is responsible for close to 60% of Vancouver’s climate pollution, and modeling shows that transitioning over to highly efficient electric space and water heating would dramatically slash these emissions, since electricity is 16 times less polluting than gas. Building new homes with heat pumps instead of gas furnaces also automatically provides indoor cooling, making vulnerable residents safer during extreme heat events.

Heat pumps provide energy efficiency and cost savings, and are far more efficient to operate than gas furnaces. Four years of data from Vancouver shows that building all-electric doesn’t impact the sale price of a home for consumers. In fact, data shows that heating costs are comparable or lower with a highly efficient heat pump when compared to a gas furnace.

At a time when local communities across B.C. are taking action to make buildings safer and affordable for residents by requiring electric heating and cooling, Vancouver is moving completely out of step with the rest of the region. Twelve communities in the Greater Vancouver region have created new building rules through the provincial Zero Carbon Step Code, and seven more are considering following suit.

In addition, a recent poll conducted by Leger found that 67% of B.C. residents think that the province should require heat pumps in all new buildings in Metro Vancouver and other warmer climate zones across B.C.

With all of this in mind, why is Vancouver City Council moving in the opposite direction, after years of thoughtful work from city staff including extensive stakeholder consultations? This abrupt change will surely result in confusion for building industry members, who have repeatedly asked for predictability and consistency.

Please protect and uphold Vancouver's data-backed climate bylaw for new buildings. I look forward to hearing more about your stance on reducing emissions in new buildings, and the importance of getting back on track to meeting Vancouver’s climate goals.

Thank you for your time,
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~Zip or Postal Code}

I confirm I have reviewed this message and approve it

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE