If California pauses new local building codes, it risks slowing climate progress – CalMatters

Report on California’s Building Code Legislation and Climate Resilience Efforts

Introduction

Following the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Bay Area cities are actively developing strategies to reduce climate-heating emissions that exacerbate wildfire risks. However, the proposed Assembly Bill 306 (AB 306) threatens to hinder these efforts by restricting local governments’ ability to implement stronger building codes aimed at enhancing climate resilience.

Overview of AB 306 and Its Implications

AB 306, recently fast-tracked as a budget trailer bill, proposes to ban most local governments from adopting building codes that exceed state standards for energy efficiency until 2031. This six-year pause would:

• Limit improvements in building codes despite advancing technology and intensifying climate disasters.
• Undermine local control and bypass the normal legislative process in the state Senate.
• Potentially increase future wildfire risks by restricting climate-friendly building practices.

Local Success Stories: San José and Palo Alto

San José and Palo Alto have demonstrated the effectiveness of smart building codes in promoting climate resilience and public health. Key achievements include:

1. Adoption of all-electric building codes in 2019 that reduce reliance on gas hookups.
2. Incentives for solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and efficient home appliances.
3. Significant reductions in pollution and energy costs for thousands of residents.

These initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – promoting energy-efficient electric homes.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – enhancing urban resilience to climate change.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change impacts.

Statewide Impact and Localized Solutions

Across California, cities have tailored building codes to address specific local challenges such as sea level rise, housing shortages, and wildfire risks. Localized solutions are critical to effective climate adaptation and resilience. The proposed AB 306 threatens this progress by imposing a statewide freeze on code enhancements, which could:

• Stifle innovation and responsiveness to emerging technologies.
• Prevent communities from addressing unique environmental and social needs.
• Contradict the principles of SDG 11 by limiting sustainable urban development.

Economic and Affordability Considerations

Contrary to claims that stricter building codes increase housing costs, multiple studies indicate no clear correlation between energy code updates and rising housing prices. In fact:

• Energy standards have saved Californians over $100 billion in utility costs over the past 50 years.
• The upcoming code update is projected to save an additional $4.8 billion.
• Energy-efficient homes are cheaper to build by up to $10,000 per unit due to elimination of gas infrastructure.

These findings support the achievement of SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by reducing living costs and promoting affordable housing.

Risks of the Proposed Building Code Pause

The pause on building code updates could have several adverse effects:

1. Lock communities into outdated, energy-inefficient appliances and infrastructure.
2. Increase vulnerability to future wildfires by limiting pollution reduction measures.
3. Remove local governments’ flexibility to respond to technological advances and community-specific needs.

This contradicts the objectives of SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by potentially worsening environmental hazards and public health outcomes.

Recommendations

To align with the Sustainable Development Goals and promote effective climate resilience, it is recommended that:

• Lawmakers empower local governments to update and enforce building codes that reflect community-specific climate challenges.
• Support for clean energy policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality be maintained and expanded.
• Efforts to integrate housing affordability with sustainability and climate action continue without legislative impediments.

Conclusion

California’s progress in climate resilience, energy efficiency, and affordable housing is at risk due to the proposed AB 306 legislation. Preserving local authority to enact stronger building codes is essential for meeting multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, sustainable cities, and economic well-being. Policymakers must prioritize community-driven, innovative solutions to safeguard Californians against escalating climate disasters while promoting equitable and sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article discusses building codes promoting electrification and energy efficiency, reducing reliance on gas hookups and promoting clean energy usage.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Local governments adopting building codes tailored to community needs to increase climate resilience and reduce pollution.
   • Focus on affordable housing and local control over building codes.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Efforts to reduce climate-heating emissions and address wildfire risks.
   • Concerns about legislation (AB 306) potentially increasing wildfire risks and hindering climate resilience progress.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Improved air quality and public health benefits from electrification and reduced pollution.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Promotion of new technologies in building codes and energy efficiency.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality improvement.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Energy Cost Savings
   • Indicator related to cumulative utility cost savings from energy code updates (e.g., “$100 billion in utility costs saved over 50 years” and projected “$4.8 billion savings” from next update).
2. Adoption of Building Codes
   • Number or percentage of local governments adopting stronger building codes promoting electrification and energy efficiency.
3. Air Quality Improvement
   • Measurements of air pollution levels in communities with all-electric homes versus those without.
4. Reduction in Climate-heating Emissions
   • Indicators measuring greenhouse gas emissions reductions attributable to building codes and electrification policies.
5. Housing Affordability
   • Indicators tracking housing costs and affordability in relation to building code changes.
6. Wildfire Risk and Resilience
   • Indicators assessing wildfire incidents and community resilience linked to local policies and building codes.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: calmatters.org