Action on buildings codes is fundamental to efforts to significantly reduce urban carbon emissions, according to a report published by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Cities in the most developed countries should encourage faster retrofit cycles and increase energy-efficiency requirements for existing buildings, the report says. In addition, they should develop zero-carbon energy codes for new construction and transition to an all-electric future.
In less-developed urban areas, the primary challenge is to quickly develop and implement energy codes for new construction while fostering energy-efficiency improvements in appliances. Increasing local capacity for code enforcement is another important component.
Cities in developing markets need to create base energy codes to avoid locking in decades of high carbon usage in new construction and address concerns about access to modern energy sources. The report looked at 10 global cities and highlighted a set of principles to reduce carbon emissions.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2016
New York becomes the first city to adopt a target for energy storage
Mayor de Blasio also announces increased solar generation goals
Codes and Standards | Oct 4, 2016
New global residential floor space measurement standard unveiled
The new standards will produce better transparency and are said to benefit investors.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2016
Dept. of Energy forecasts big jump in LED use, resulting energy savings
Big gains are expected in both commercial and residential markets.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2016
San Francisco commercial, multifamily regulations aim to reduce traffic volume
City planners will require design features to cut miles driven.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2016
Society of Landscape Architects releases guide to resilient design
The goal is to retrofit communities to better withstand extreme weather events.
Codes and Standards | Sep 26, 2016
Washington State Energy Code updates include dedicated outdoor air system requirements
The updates will change design approach to HVAC.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2016
Construction firms pulling back from federal market due to new reporting rules
‘Subjective, very vague’ policies are said to create too much risk.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2016
Airbnb presents legal liability for multifamily owners
How building owners can reduce risks.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2016
Healthy buildings becoming a key design priority for both architects and building owners
Nationwide survey finds nearly three of four architects cite health impacts influencing design decisions
Data Centers | Sep 19, 2016
New ANSI/ASHRAE data center standard is performance-based, more flexible
The aim of the standard was to ‘not stifle innovation.’
