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
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bill promotes investment in commercial, multifamily retrofits
The Commercial Building Modernization Act recently introduced in the Senate would extend and streamline a current tax deduction to encourage commercial and multifamily residential building owners to perform comprehensive energy-efficient retrofits.
| Oct 11, 2012
Morristown, N.Y., settles code violation dispute with Amish
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
| Oct 11, 2012
Mesquite, Nev., rebels against state-mandated energy code
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bloomingdale, N.J., restricts ground solar and wind energy installations
The borough of Bloomingdale, N.J., recently adopted regulations for solar-energy and wind energy systems.
| Oct 3, 2012
Bill introduced to extend home energy efficiency tax credit
A bill to extend the expired residential energy efficiency tax credit for installing qualified furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, and heat pumps was recently filed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
| Oct 3, 2012
OSHA publishes more detailed information on variances
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enhanced its variances Web page to improve public understanding of the variance approval process and increase access to the agency's decisions regarding variance requests.