VICTORIA, B.C. — The next edition of the BC Building Code will promote value-added forest industry while acting on climate change and creating new jobs across the province. In other words, this is CleanBC in action.
Innovative, engineered wood products boost B.C.’s value-added industries and promote safe, low-carbon construction. Today, the province has announced it is adapting building code changes to allow for the construction of taller wood buildings.
“Climate change is the biggest threat facing our province, and I am thrilled to see government taking action to allow for construction that reduces carbon emissions,” said Dr. Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Greens. “This is just one of many steps that are being taken to implement the CleanBC economic plan.
“Although trees absorb carbon, the way that our province has been managing our forests actually means that our forests have been net contributors to carbon emissions since 2001, according to Natural Resources Canada,” said Dr. Weaver.
MLA Adam Olsen shares the spokesperson role for forestry with MLA Sonia Furstenau.
“We have huge potential to do better,” Olsen says, “and one way we can do this is by promoting value-added products such as those utilized in innovative mass timber construction projects. We also need to move quickly towards second-growth logging, efficient use of slash materials, and management practices that promote wildfire resiliency.”
MLA Furstenau also welcomed today’s announcement.
“At the B.C. Tech Summit this week our province has been showcasing our aptitude for innovation, creativity, and clean growth,” said MLA Furstenau. “Companies such as Structurlam are a perfect example of this. As our forest industry faces immense challenges, it’s time for us to shift policies so that low-carbon solutions and British Columbians can thrive.”
The B.C. Green Caucus looks forward to the ongoing rollout of CleanBC as we transition to a low-carbon economy.
-30-
Media contact
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]