Hamilton sets new green building standards, but builders balk at the cost

Hamilton is stepping up its climate efforts with new green building standards that will shape how future homes, businesses and public spaces are built. The rules approved by city council last month will take effect in 2025 and require new buildings to meet higher standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, stormwater management, waste management and eco-friendly design.

Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, who introduced the motion, told Canada’s National Observer the new standards include both mandatory and voluntary measures for new developments.

The city’s green building standards include energy efficiency measures, such as high-performance insulation, efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting with sensors. It also encourages the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and geothermal, to reduce fossil fuel reliance. The standards also suggest orienting buildings to optimize natural light and heat.

To combat the urban heat island effect, reflective or green roofing materials will also be required, and builders will be encouraged to plant trees and leave green spaces around buildings. The new standards do not mandate the installation of heat pumps, but leave them as an optional choice for developers, according to Kroetsch.

They also call for bird-friendly windows, green spaces and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and E-bikes. These standards are organized into five categories: energy and carbon, which focuses on improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions; ecology and biodiversity, aimed at preserving natural spaces and enhancing biodiversity; and water, which promotes water conservation through strategies like rainwater harvesting.

According to the city, the standards aim to make most new buildings around 20 per cent more energy efficient than what is demanded by the provincial building code. 

“Largely, this is about making our development more climate-resilient,” Kroetsch said. “We want to ensure that, when we invest resources into building housing for people, the housing is as adaptable as possible.”

A regional builders' association is warning the new standards could raise per-unit building costs by tens of thousands of dollars and impose “unreasonable” demands on developers.  “It will add costs and time to each residential project within the city, in many cases without making a meaningful difference to sustainable development outcomes for Hamilton,” Michelle Diplock, manager of planning and government relations for West End Home Builders' Association (WE HBA), wrote to council in a letter shared with Canada’s National Observer. Diplock said the new standards were passed with insufficient consultation with the building community and exceed the municipal council’s jurisdiction.

“WE HBA had identified serious concerns with what Hamilton had proposed,” Diplock said. WE HBA and other Ontario home builder associations are calling for provincial and national standards so all municipalities fall under the same rules. Climate-friendly construction carries a cost that will increase housing prices, Diplock warned. She said there is a need for government incentives, similar to those given to consumers to aid the auto sector’s transition. With the housing market in crisis, now is not the time to add extra costs without further support, she added.

Kroetsch argues that not investing in climate-resilient development will lead to higher costs in the long run. 

Despite the higher upfront expenses, these investments will protect the environment, ensure long-term building resilience, and provide benefits like improved quality of life, clean air and access to clean water, Kroetsch said.

The city says that throughout the development of the green building standards, it conducted “extensive” consultations, including focus groups, workshops, a public open house, surveys, and one-on-one meetings with staff, developers, builders, community organizations and postsecondary institutions.

The cost of retrofitting older buildings and homes to meet climate goals will be significant. According to the Pembina Institute, the federal government, in partnership with provinces and utilities, will need to invest $10 billion to $15 billion annually over the next 20 years to achieve these targets.

Kroetsch said the standards are designed to reduce environmental impact and help the city meet its climate goals.

“We’re in a climate emergency,” Kroetsch said. “The impacts of greenhouse gases are creating a global crisis. This plan is designed to be scalable, so we can add more mandatory requirements for green development over time, to make sure that new buildings are resilient and adaptable.”

Also, the waste management and materials category encourages sustainable materials and waste reduction, while community and urban design fosters inclusive, healthy spaces by preserving cultural heritage and supporting local food production. 

The city aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve this, the city says the green building standards’ Energy and Carbon Impact Category focuses on improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By setting energy use benchmarks, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing operational efficiency, the standards aim to cut energy consumption and emissions throughout a building's life cycle.

Early this year, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area experienced severe storms and flooding, which experts attributed to a combination of climate change, outdated infrastructure and policy gaps. They stress the urgent need for innovative flood management and climate resilience strategies to prevent future disasters. 

Kroetsch says addressing stormwater is particularly vital for Hamilton, which, like many cities, has struggled with combined sewer systems that overflow during heavy rains, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage.

Buildings and hard surfaces funnel stormwater into wastewater systems instead of allowing the water to be absorbed into the ground. If not properly managed, rain runoff can overload wastewater systems and harm local ecosystems. By incorporating green roofs, rainwater capture systems, and natural landscaping, the standards aim to reduce stormwater runoff and its impact on local watersheds, while also supporting biodiversity.