Eliminating Energy Poverty, Achieving Climate Justice: The Need for a Smooth Transition to Zero Carbon BC Homes

Author

Marc Lee, Eugene Kung, Jason Owen

Organization

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office

Published

2011

Summary

It is both desirable and possible to eliminate fossil fuel combustion and carbon emissions from BC’s housing stock by 2040. Developing sustainable homes in BC will require a balanced public policy approach that includes carefully designed pricing structures and aggressive support of targeted energy efficiency improvements.
Climate action demands that GHG emissions be reduced and eliminated, and is compatible with an aggressive program of energy efficiency investments. But a smooth transition requires more attention to be paid to impacts on low-income households and other vulnerable populations – fighting energy poverty can lead to fairer and more effective policies for BC households. In addition, energy efficiency actions should be linked to green job creation and skills development.

We recommend the following next steps for the BC government:

• Develop a long-term vision of green buildings in complete communities
• Fight energy poverty
• Increase the progressivity of tiered pricing
• Move cautiously on time of use pricing
• Phase out natural gas
• Mandate energy audits for older housing stock
• Retrofit multi-unit buildings and rental housing stock
• Accelerate financing reform
• Establish progressively higher building regulations and marketplace standards for appliances
• Invest in skills development for green jobs

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database