
UBC’s Pathways to Net-Zero Embodied Carbon in Buildings Report
July 21, 2025
Creekview Housing Co-Operative: Net Zero Retrofit vs. New Construction Study Final Report
Faced with concerns around lease expiry, future housing options, and long-term sustainability, the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association (FCSNA) tasked its RePlan committee with exploring two potential pathways: retrofitting the existing co-op housing or redeveloping with a mix of new affordable and market units. To support this early-stage investigation, the RePlan committee engaged Affine Climate Solutions to assess which option offers greater environmental and financial benefits. The resulting preliminary report evaluated five key factors: density, cost, livability, operational energy and GHG emissions, and embodied carbon, and found that retrofitting offers greater affordability and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to redevelopment.
The report also concluded that further analysis—such as developing a detailed 0pro forma, defining upgrade scopes, conducting a full life cycle assessment (wbLCA), and evaluating community impacts—will be essential to fully inform next steps. This ongoing work will help ensure future decisions reflect Creekview’s values of livability, equity, and social diversity. To learn more about False Creek South's work, please click here.