Course Description

This is a hybrid video + eLearning module, produced with support from Natural Resources Canada and B.C. Hydro.

The building industry in British Columbia continues to evolve, with the introduction of regulations addressing energy conservation and greenhouse gas emissions for new buildings. The Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) sets a new standard that will shape how homes are designed and built in the years to come.

This hybrid eLearning and Video, 4-module course, is designed specifically for homebuilders, contractors, and design professionals who are involved in residential construction in BC. Whether you’re already familiar with the Step Code, or just starting to explore low-carbon construction, this course provides practical knowledge, current resources, and explores the regulatory background that homebuilding professionals in BC will need to understand in order to navigate the new requirements confidently.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the purpose and scope of the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC), why it was introduced, the provincial goals behind it, and how local governments are adopting it.
• Identify what types of buildings are covered, the main compliance options, and understand key differences between operational and embodied carbon.
• Differentiate the emissions levels, and understand how they compare to other programs like the CHBA Net Zero Home Labelling Program and Passive House.
• Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the energy landscape in BC, and understand utilities’ roles in low-carbon building, with a focus on power distribution and energy load management.
• Differentiate between the Energy and Zero Carbon Step Codes, and understand how they work together.
• Develop an understanding of the Step Code metrics to demonstrate compliance.
• Identify the mechanical systems including equipment type and fuel source that affect compliance.

*Videos include guest speakers from:  Bernhardt Contracting, BC Hydro, Fortis BC, and Technical Safety BC. These videos were taken from the “Simplifying Complex Carbs: Examining the Zero Carbon Step Code” in-person training session held in Kamloops in November of 2024.

*The delivery and development of this eLearning course have been made possible through the generous support of our sponsor,