National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings

The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2025 is a national model code that sets technical requirements that address the protection of the environment in the design and construction of new buildings and in subsequent alterations. The 2025 edition was published in December 2025. A previous edition, NECB 2020, which was originally published in 2022, sets out technical requirements for the energy-efficient design and construction of new buildings and additions. 

As per a Reconciliation Agreement on Construction Codes commitment, provinces and territories who are signatories are to bring their new Construction Codes into force within 24 months following the publishing of the 2020 National Codes and within 18 months following the date on which the 2025 editions of the National Codes are published (therefore by late June 2027). 

Along with other updates, a new compliance path with 4 energy performance tiers is introduced in the 2020 edition to provide a framework for achieving higher levels of energy efficiency in buildings and the 2025 edition includes the introduction of an energy use intensity path for compliance with energy performance tiers and the introduction of a harmonized framework that aims to reduce the operational greenhouse gas emissions of buildings. 

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more