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 | Feb 25, 2020
New ISO standard for optimizing building use and reusing and recycling components released
Aim is to realize full potential value of a building throughout its life cycle.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2020
Architects push back on proposed uniform design mandate for federal architecture
AIA speaks out against measure.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2020
City-owned buildings to go carbon-free in Los Angeles
Mayor commits to goal for new and extensively renovated structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 19, 2020
Public is willing to volunteer to maintain green infrastructure
Perceived benefits make residents willing to help public works departments.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2020
Recent Dept. of Energy grants emphasize grid-interactive building technology
National labs, universities, businesses selected for total of $74 million in funding.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2020
At least 13 states create incentives for utilities to use demand response programs
Practice optimizes power grid, incorporates more renewable power.
Codes and Standards | Feb 13, 2020
Living Future Institute’s JUST program helps measure progress on sustainability, social justice
Functions as a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2020
Commercial Building Energy Saver Wins R&D 100 Award
Software toolkit enables access to deep energy retrofit and zero-net energy strategies.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2020
Fenestration Rating Council launches faster energy performance testing system
New windows, doors, and skylights will get to market faster.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2020
Landlords scramble to comply with the New York City Council’s Climate Mobilization Act (CMA)
Intent is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; improve efficiency for buildings larger than 25,000 sf.