In order to keep the global temperature from rising above pre-industrial levels by 2°C, all the world’s buildings must reach net zero carbon by 2050, according to a report by the World Green Building Council.
Keeping the global temperature increase below 2°C would avert the most serious consequences of climate change, scientists believe, and that goal is in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. All new buildings must operate at net zero carbon by 2030, and all existing buildings must be renovated to operate at net zero carbon by 2050, the report says.
The building and construction sector is responsible for around 30% of global energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The WGBC estimates that only 500 net zero commercial buildings and several thousand net zero residential units currently exist in the world.
Thus, there is a need for several billion net zero buildings worldwide, the report says. The report also finds that net zero buildings can create jobs, improve energy security, and lower energy costs.
Related Stories
| Jul 17, 2013
WorldGBC, IFC pledge to rapidly scale up green construction in emerging markets
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) are collaborating to rapidly scale up the construction of green buildings in emerging markets.
| Jul 17, 2013
Louisiana governor signs $250 million bill for 29 community college projects
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law this month a bill that provides $251.6 million for 29 projects at Louisiana Community and Technical College campuses.
| Jul 17, 2013
U.S. House continues to block enforcement of light bulb standards
The House of Representatives last week voted to block the enforcement of light bulb standards that many say would effectively force people to buy more expensive compact fluorescent bulbs.
| Jul 17, 2013
Should city parking space requirements be abolished?
Some cities are deliberately discouraging construction of new parking spaces by allowing the construction of buildings with a lower ratio of parking spaces to dwellings (as low as 0.75 spaces per residence).
| Jul 17, 2013
EPA continues work on new federal stormwater regulations that are expected to impact development
The Environmental Protection Agency continues to develop new stormwater regulations that are expected to force project developers to write stormwater considerations into designs.
| Jul 11, 2013
DOE releases stricter energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings taking effect in 2014
The Energy Department released stricter energy efficiency standards this month for new federal buildings.
| Jul 11, 2013
Pennsylvania legislators work on bill to update demolition codes following fatal building collapse
Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on a bill to update demolition codes, in the wake of a fatal building collapse in Philadelphia in June.
| Jul 11, 2013
Lawsuit challenges modular apartment project in New York City
A plan to build pre-fab apartment buildings at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been challenged by a lawsuit filed by the Plumbing Foundation in Manhattan Supreme Court.
| Jul 5, 2013
OSHA to launch program to protect workers from isocyanate exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a new national emphasis program (NEP) to protect workers from serious health effects caused by occupational exposure to isocyanates.
| Jul 5, 2013
New California building code expected to boost energy demand response technology
The California master building code, set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014, includes a few changes that could push automated, open-standards-based demand response into the mass market.