Generally speaking, compliance requirements include two things, energy performance improvements and reporting/verification requirements. Successful completion of those requirements is how a building that did not meet the Standard at the beginning of a BEPS Period achieves compliance.
There are two primary types of Compliance Pathways:
Performance-based. Buildings must meet a numerical energy performance improvement target by the end of the Compliance Cycle and use their annual benchmarking report to demonstrate that requirements are met.
Action-based. Buildings must take specific actions, with the plans/reports being submitted during the Compliance Cycle, that will improve the building’s energy performance, rather than meet a numerical target. (Note: benchmarking requirements still apply, but BEPS fines/penalties would be based on failure to meet the actions, not the results of the benchmarking data.)
Postponements. Building owners that encounter unforeseen difficulties in meeting the deadlines have two types of postponements available to them:
Extension of a deadline. These are meant for short-term extensions to interim Compliance requirements.
Delay of compliance. These may be available when a building cannot complete its Pathway requirements by end of the Cycle. (See more details in Chapter 5).