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Building Sector Addresses Greenhouse Gas

Industry leaders committed to an initiative that calls for carbon neutral buildings by 2030.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 12/5/2006 12:00:00 AM

Last month, taking into account evidence suggesting the building sector is responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions annually, several leading organizations in the building sector met to confront global climate change. Participating organizations included the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and Architecture 2030, among others.

Held in Denver at the USGBC’s annual sustainable building conference and expo Greenbuild, the meeting concluded with members determined to tackle three critical issues: The need for a common goal, the definition of this goal and a baseline to measure progress. In order to take immediate action, the leaders have signed on to the 2030 Challenge, an initiative that calls for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their fossil-fuel GHG-emitting energy consumption by 50 percent immediately. In 2010, this reduction increases to 60 percent, 70 percent in 2015, 80 percent in 2020, 90 percent in 2025. In 2030, the initiative states, all new buildings will be carbon neutral.

Launched in January 2006 by Architecture 2030, the global initiative targets had been previously adopted by the AIA and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. But this new support, participants say, creates a powerful consensus, and makes the collaborations and trading of information easier.

“Eliminating the built environment’s negative contribution to climate change is not just a strategic priority, it’s our collective responsibility to generations to come," says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of USGBC. "Science tells us we have 3650 days to meet that goal, and urgent action is required."