Pledges by governments and multinational corporations to make buildings net-zero carbon are critical to carbon reduction goals. And, commitments have been adding up in recent years.
The World Green Building Council (WGBC) has gained notable adherents to its Advancing Net Zero buildings initiative. This project aims to have every building produce net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In fact, some 62 businesses, 28 cities, and six states have signed on to be WGBC’s leaders in this initiative by committing to make all their buildings net-zero carbon-emitting by 2030 or sooner. California, with 16 million buildings, has signed onto the commitment, along with businesses such as design firm Atelier Ten, healthcare real estate investment trust Assura, and retail center developer Wereldhave.
There are 1 billion buildings in the world, and the total global building footprint is expected to double by 2060. It’s hard to know how many buildings are operating today at net-zero because of the difficulty in tracking the amount of renewable energy supplied by the grid. WGBC is working on this problem.
When companies such as Salesforce commit to constructing all new buildings to net-zero specifications, including a new tower in Dublin, they accelerate the effort. WGBC will allow any credible third party, such as LEED, to do the certification.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2017
Professional liability insurance rates for architects and engineers expected to be stable in 2017
Premiums leveled off in 2015, and claims have been stable, helping to hold costs down.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2017
Energy Star program at risk
The standard-setting initiative for energy-efficient products may be a victim of Trump budget cuts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2017
Timber Innovation Act to promote tall wood buildings introduced in Congress
The measure has bipartisan support.
Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2017
U.S. House and Senate have voted to repeal Dept. of Labor’s 'blacklisting' rule
The rule mandates labor compliance review for federal construction contractors.
Codes and Standards | Mar 9, 2017
WiredScore forms Connectivity Advisory Committee
The committee's creation is an important step forward for the group that evaluates internet connectivity in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2017
New guide examines multifamily high-performance ventilation
The focus is on cost and performance of various systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2017
Canada’s national building codes will encompass effects of climate change
Forecasted data, not historical data, will be used as the basis for the codes.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2017
ConsensusDocs updates standard short contract editions
The updates address industry changes impacting insurance, legal, technology, and terminology.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2017
ASCE updates standard for structures using tensile membrane
The new sstandard combines guidelines for conventional tensile membrane structures with frame-covered membrane structures.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2017
EPA's 2017 Construction General Permit now in effect
The regulation governs compliance with effluent limits.
