The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) is seeking input on a draft policy direction to address embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in new houses and buildings through future updates to the National Model Codes. This consultation is part of the first phase of work that will inform the development of technical requirements for the 2030 Codes. These requirements will be considered in the next BC Codes. 

UDI has previously submitted commentary to the CBHCC on regulating embodied carbon in building codes, recommending that the federal, provincial, and territorial governments look at other approaches to reducing embodied carbon emissions before regulating them through building codes. In the past, UDI has also advocated that the Broader Public Sector lead with improvements in energy efficiency and reducing carbon in new construction. For more information, please refer to UDI’s submissions from March 2023 and June 2023. 

To provide input, review the consultation materials available on the CBHCC website. Comments can be submitted by email to CBHCCSecretary-SecretaireCCHCC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. The consultation period is open until July 14, 2025. Comments will be reviewed by the CBHCC Working Group on Climate Change Mitigation, with recommendations forwarded to the CBHCC for consideration.