Green Building Standards

Introducing the City of Hamilton’s Green Building Standard

To meet the City’s climate change and sustainability objectives, including a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, city-wide Green Building Standards are being developed. Green Building Standards are used across Canada as a guide for professionals and include directions on meeting high standards in sustainability for new buildings in the City’s Urban Area. The Green Building Standard can aid in evaluating applications for new development through the lens of sustainability, energy and climate resilience.

The City is in the process of refining technical elements of the Green Building Standard. Additional work is required to finalize and better understand how the Green Building Standard can be effectively implemented by the City and by those submitting development applications in the City.

What are Green Building Standards?

Green building standards are a tool used by municipalities to guide new development in a manner that considers the principles of economic, social, and environmental sustainability. They are often voluntary and mandatory measures for new development (typically excluding renovations and retrofits). Some features of a Green Building Standard include energy efficiency, bird friendly design, green spaces, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, parking spaces for bicycles, and requirements for the planting of native species.

Public Engagement Summary

Public Consultant Participants:

• 58 participants in the virtual public open house
• 123 participants in the public survey
• Over 1000 webpage visits

What We Heard:

1. It is important that the GBS is aligned and coordinated with other City-led projects and initiatives to achieve and realize sustainability and climate objectives and targets.
2. The GBS should be inspired by standards for development in other municipalities and best practices for climate resilient and sustainable development, while uniquely tailored to the context in Hamilton.
3. The GBS must balance different priorities for various interested parties including the City, the development industry, community partners, and the public.
4. The metrics must be realistic and achievable to advance the City’s sustainability priorities while balancing continued growth and development that contributes to new housing opportunities and employment.
5. There are many different environmental related priorities that may be advanced through the GBS, including a focus on clean air and water, climate change adaptation, waste reduction, adaptive re-use, bird-friendly development, dark sky compliance, and drought tolerant and native plant species, among others.
6. Incentivising the GBS is an important consideration for implementation, in particular to achieve the Tier 2 Metrics, which are voluntary
7. Clarity, simplicity, and flexibility of the GBS is important for effective interpretation, administration, and implementation for both the City and the development industry.
8. The GBS should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to Hamilton’s sustainability priorities.

View the full Consultation Summary for the Green Building Standards project.