The 2030 °Challenge

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The 2030 Challenge is an initiative by Edward Mazria and Architecture 2030 to make all new buildings and renovations carbon-neutral by the year 2030 to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change caused by the building sector. Buildings, construction, and operational activities generate nearly 40% [1] of annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, consequently, there is a larger scope to stabilize and reverse emissions in this sector, in order to avoid increased global warming to reach a tipping point. Therefore, instead of seeing it as a trying issue, Architecture 2030, a non-profit organization, strives to beat the woes of climate change by implementing energy-efficient planning and design. [2]

Contents

Targets defined

The following are the targets set by The 2030 Challenge:

60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral by 2030 (zero fossil fuel, GHG emitting energy to operate). [3]

History

Edward Mazria, a renowned architect, author, researcher and educator brings to light the contribution of building sector, to the on-going fight against climate change, after his analysis of U.S. energy information data in 2002. [4] The results of the 2002 study conducted by Edward Marzria and his firm were appalling, where buildings came out as dominant source of emissions, accounting for 40% of U.S. Energy use. [4] In response to this discovery, Edward Mazria as a part of his practice in Santa Fe, started and financed a research organization, Architecture 2030, which aimed at reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from the built-environment. [4] Later, in 2006 he incorporated Architecture 2030 as a non-profit organization and issued the 2030 Challenge. [4]

Adopters

American Institute of Architects (AIA), is one of the first major industry group to embrace the 2030 Challenge. [5] In addition to this, it launched the AIA 2030 Commitment to support the 2030 Challenge and track the progress of carbon-neutral future. [6] Besides the American Institute of Architects, the challenge has been adopted by other professional organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council; National Governors Association; American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); and the Union Internationale des Architectes, among many others, as well as 41 percent of U.S. architecture firms. [4] The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act required all new federal buildings to meet the energy performance standards set forth in the 2030 Challenge. [4] The city of Seattle has created the Seattle 2030 District, an interdisciplinary public-private collaborative working to create high-performance building district downtown to meet the 2030 challenge targets district wide. [1] In Canada, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Ontario Association of Architects and cities such as Vancouver have also adopted the Challenge targets. [1]

Approach

In order to meet the targets set by the 2030 challenge, building's modeled energy performance is compared to the energy use of a median performing building, also known as Baseline Energy Use Intensity (EUI). [7] Formerly, Architecture 2030 organization relied on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Target Finder Tool to identify energy information from the database, standardizing for building typology, climate, size, use etc. Target Finder, in turn, accessed energy use data set from Commercial Buildings energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) to set the target EUI. In respond to EPA's latest news on updating its tools from 2003 CBECS to 2012, stemming to a change in all the benchmark EUIs, Architecture 2030 organization introduced their new Zero Tool, which keeps the designers and owners moving from their baselines as those of CBECS 2012. [8] Architecture 2030's Zero Tool expands on the Target Finder's features, offering a graphic display of baselines, targets, and existing building performance, allowing users to compare data normalized by climate, building size, occupancy and schedule. [8] These target EUIs are achieved by using a set of energy-efficient design strategies which includes low cost or no cost passive design and use of renewable sources for on-site construction activities. [9] A list of key ideas integrating all the principles, required to create low-carbon and adaptable built-environments worldwide can be found in the 2030 Palette. In addition to this guide, Architecture 2030 also provides an educational program; AIA+2030 Online Series, with a goal to provide design professionals high-performance building knowledge necessary to meet the 2030 Challenge targets.

AIA 2030 Commitment

The mission of AIA 2030 Commitment is to provide a holistic, data-driven platform for all the participating architecture, engineering and consultancy firms of 2030 Challenge and report their progress on meeting the 2030 targets. By signing the commitment, architecture firms agree to:

In 2014, it began a data collection effort called Design Data Exchange to record the progress of firms that had joined the 2030 Commitment. In 2017, participating firms reported 560 projects that met challenge targets, with nearly a quarter of those already net zero. [5]

2030 Palette

The 2030 Palette is a free online tool, serving as a guide for all sustainable design principles, strategies and resources needed to create carbon-neutral and resilient built environments, at all scales- from regional and city planning to building details. [11]

AIA+2030 Series

The AIA+2030 series is another initiative aiming to increase the uptake of the 2030 commitment. Originally created by AIA Seattle, this educational program is sponsored by Autodesk and delivered through AIAU, the AIA's online educational portal. [12]

Other considerations

In the face of climate change, the 2030 Challenge largely incorporates technical architectural solutions to achieve its carbon neutral goals.

In the article "Buildings don’t use energy: people do", author Kathryn B.Janda from Environmental Change Institute of Oxford University talks about how even though the architectural solutions offered by the 2030 challenge are indispensable, they are not enough to fight the negative environmental effects of the building sector. [13] There is a need of a platform or profession, that spreads the knowledge or awareness of building use beyond the circle of architects, designers, engineers and other building science professionals to the general public. [13] Even with the best passive design strategies and on-site renewable resources, a poorly operated building can prove to be a hindrance in mitigating climate change. [13] For example, ‘green buildings’, when occupied by professional service companies, are often being used by employees over longer daytime occupancy schedules with more weekend working; thus, exceeding energy targets anticipated during their design. [14] The increasing intensity of energy use with a reduction in carbon targets; also referred to as divergence problem, could only be solved by integrating user involvement in the building performance. [14] [13] It can be concluded that the only way to realize a carbon-neutral future is to build on incremental change in each successive phase.

See also

Related Research Articles

Carbon neutrality is a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by ending the use of coal, oil and gas to the extent that there is dramatically reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and removal carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The term is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transport, energy production, agriculture, and industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon offsets and credits</span> Carbon dioxide reduction scheme

A carbon offset is a reduction or removal of emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. A carbon credit or offset credit is a transferrable instrument certified by governments or independent certification bodies to represent an emission reduction that can then be bought or sold. Both offsets and credits are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One ton of carbon offset or credit represents the reduction or removal of one ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero-energy building</span> Energy efficiency standard for buildings

A Zero-Energy Building (ZEB), also known as a Net Zero-Energy (NZE) building, is a building with net zero energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site or in other definitions by renewable energy sources offsite, using technology such as heat pumps, high efficiency windows and insulation, and solar panels.

Various energy conservation measures are taken in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon accounting</span> Processes used to measure how much carbon dioxide equivalents an organization sequesters or emits

Carbon accounting is a framework of methods to measure and track how much greenhouse gas (GHG) an organization emits. It can also be used to track projects or actions to reduce emissions in sectors such as forestry or renewable energy. Corporations, cities and other groups use these techniques to help limit climate change. Organizations will often set an emissions baseline, create targets for reducing emissions, and track progress towards them. The accounting methods enable them to do this in a more consistent and transparent manner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-carbon economy</span> Economy based on energy sources with low levels of greenhouse gas emissions

A low-carbon economy (LCE) or decarbonised economy is an economy based on energy sources that produce low levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions due to human activity are the dominant cause of observed climate change since the mid-20th century. Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause long-lasting changes around the world, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible effects for people and ecosystems. Shifting to a low-carbon economy on a global scale could bring substantial benefits both for developed and developing countries. Many countries around the world are designing and implementing low-emission development strategies (LEDS). These strategies seek to achieve social, economic, and environmental development goals while reducing long-term greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to the effects of climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions</span> Sources and amounts of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change. Most is carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. The largest emitters include coal in China and large oil and gas companies. Human-caused emissions have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50% over pre-industrial levels. The growing levels of emissions have varied, but have been consistent among all greenhouse gases (GHGs). Emissions in the 2010s averaged 56 billion tons a year, higher than any decade before.

Edward Mazria is an American architect, author and educator. He is a graduate of Lafayette High School, played basketball in high school and in college at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers in 1962. After receiving his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Pratt Institute in 1963 he spent two years as an architect in the Peace Corps in Arequipa, Peru. He later worked with the firm of Edward Larrabee Barnes in New York before completing his master's degree and beginning a teaching and research career at the University of New Mexico in 1973.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States</span> Climate changing gases from the North American country

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero-carbon city</span> City that has no carbon footprint

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom</span> Overview of the greenhouse gas emissions by United Kingdom

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in Europe</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of Europe related to climate change

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate change in India</span> Emissions, impacts and responses of India related to climate change

Climate change in India is having profound effects on India, which is ranked fourth among the list of countries most affected by climate change in 2015. India emits about 3 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about two and a half tons per person, which is less than the world average. The country emits 7% of global emissions, despite having 17% of the world population. Temperature rises on the Tibetan Plateau are causing Himalayan glaciers to retreat, threatening the flow rate of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yamuna and other major rivers. A 2007 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report states that the Indus River may run dry for the same reason. Heat waves' frequency and intensity are increasing in India because of climate change. Severe landslides and floods are projected to become increasingly common in such states as Assam. Climate change performance index of India ranks eighth among 63 countries which account for 92% of all GHG emissions in the year 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The 2030 Challenge – Architecture 2030" . Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  2. ↑ "BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS RALLY AROUND ARCHITECTURE 2030 GOALS OF CUTTING ENERGY USE". The Kresge Foundation. 4 Apr 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meeting the 2030 Challenge, Architecture 2030".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Edward Mazria, Encore.org".
  5. 1 2 Audrey, Gray (May 2019). "We Can Cool It". Metropolis. 38 (8, 2019): 110.
  6. ↑ "The 2030 Commitment - AIA". www.aia.org. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  7. ↑ Burpee, Heather; Loveland, Joel (2013). "Targeting 100! Envisioning the high performance hospital in six climate regions". World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development. 10 (1/2/3): 96. doi:10.1504/wrstsd.2013.050789. ISSN   1741-2242.
  8. 1 2 "Scaling Up Engagement with Net-Zero-Energy Goals". Building Green. March 9, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Why the Architecture 2030 Challenge Matters for Both New and Old Construction". September 20, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Melton, Paula (2016-04-04). "Progress on 2030 Goals, Ten Years Later". BuildingGreen. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  11. ↑ "2030 Palette – A database of sustainable design strategies and resources" . Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  12. ↑ "AIA+2030 Online Series Certificate Program | AIAU". aiau.aia.org. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  13. 1 2 3 4 B.Janda, Kathryn (2011). "Buildings don't use energy people do". Architectural Science Review. 54 (1): 15–22. doi:10.3763/asre.2009.0050. S2CID   16021168.
  14. 1 2 Baugmgartner, Steven; Parsley, Julian. "The Divergence Problem - Meeting "AIA 2030 Challenge" Standards with Existing Buildings: A New York City Tenant Case Study" (PDF). 2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
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