Ontario Construction News staff writer
In a bid to combat climate change and promote sustainable urban development, Mississauga council has given the green light to updated green development standards (GDS). These standards, aimed at both residential and non-residential projects, are designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), enhance resilience, and boost energy efficiency in new constructions.
“The buildings in Mississauga are responsible for around 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Acting Mayor Matt Mahoney. “However, these emissions can be greatly reduced through better building and site design, and through the updated GDS in our Site Plan process.”
Updates will take effect on March 1, 2025.
Key features of the updated GDS include a tiered structure comprising mandatory and voluntary developer requirements.
Tier one outlines mandatory standards, while tiers two and three offer voluntary and higher performance standards. These tiers are set to evolve over time, with the ultimate goal of achieving new near net-zero developments by 2030.
To incentivize builders to adopt these standards, the City of Mississauga plans to conduct a feasibility study. This study will explore various incentives, including financial incentives, aimed at encouraging the uptake of voluntary metrics and higher performance standards by the building industry.
Approval is being called a pivotal step towards achieving the objectives outlined in the climate change action plan, which focuses on transitioning to a net-zero community.
Extensive consultations were held developers, industry and residents during the drafting phase of the updated GDS, to ensure new standards align with industry best practices, fostering a conducive environment for sustainable construction.
“Our updated GDS will help the local building industry cut down on harmful emissions and better prepare for climate change impacts, ensuring that new buildings under site plan control are better for everyone – nature, people, and our local economy,” emphasized Andrew Whittemore, commissioner of planning and building.