The Zero Carbon Buildings for All Initiative recently launched at the UN Climate Action Summit will aim for upgrading standards so that all buildings are net zero carbon by 2050.
That goal is in accordance with the goals of the Paris Agreement, but with less than 1% of buildings today having achieved net zero, there is a long way to go. Zero Carbon Buildings for All will look to government, industry, and civil society to secure commitments to decarbonize new buildings by 2030 and existing buildings by 2050. It will also mobilize significant funding (at least $1 trillion in Paris Agreement-compliant buildings investment in developing countries by 2030).
Building operations account for 28% of energy-related CO2 emissions, making them among the largest contributors to climate change. Improving efficiency in buildings is one of the most proven, cost-effective climate mitigation solutions available, according to a statement by Zero Carbon Buildings for All.
Related Stories
| Sep 8, 2011
USGBC Streamlines LEED EB: O&M
The Council has reorganized the prerequisite and credit structure of LEED EB: O&M.Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
USGBC: 30 Legislative āWins For Green Buildingā So Far In 2011
A mid-year report by the U.S. Green Building Council says that there have been ā30 legislative wins for green buildingā across 22 states in 2011.Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
Revised Building Codes Adopted After WTC Attacks Being Implemented
U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) code revision recommendations in the wake of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks are being implemented in new high-rise construction including One World Trade Center, the lead building of the new World Trade Center complex.Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
New Sustainability Standard Addresses Disaster Resistance
To aid local governments to adopt high-performance green building codes, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0.Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
Pilot ISO 50001 Implementations Report Big Energy Savings
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published ISO 50001 to provide a recognized framework for integrating energy performance into management practices.Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
USGBC Revises Energy Demand Response Credit
Originally launched in 2010, the revised and enhanced Demand Response Pilot Credit establishes guidelines that are anticipated to increase participation in automated energy demand response programs.Ā Ā
| Sep 8, 2011
Water Safety in Buildings Guide Published by World Health Organization (WHO)
This WHO book provides guidance for managing water supplies in buildings where people may drink water, use water for food preparation, wash, shower, swim or use water for other recreational activities or be exposed to aerosols produced by water-using devices, such as cooling towers.Ā
| Sep 7, 2011
NFPA Fire & Life Safety Conference in December
Presentations on recent Fire Protection Research Foundation projects, how September 11th and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire affected high rise design, and a panel discussion on emerging code issues will be featured at theĀ National Fire Protection AssociationĀ (NFPA)ās Fire & Life Safety Conference on December 12-14 in Orlando, FL.The meeting will include more than 60 educational sessions in which participants can earn continuing education units (CEUs). Presentations will be led by NFPA staff experts and technical committee members, and will be organized in four tracks ā building and life safety, detection and alarm, fire suppression, and codes and standards. For more information, visitĀ www.nfpa.org/FLSCONF. Ā
| Sep 1, 2011
Project Aims to Automate Code Compliance Assessment
FIATECH, a consortium of owners from the industrial, power, and retail markets that build large structures, launched a project this year to validate the use of automation technology for code compliance assessment, and to accelerate the regulatory approval process using building models. Long-term objectives include the development of an extensive, open-source rule set library that is approved by industry and regulatory bodies for use by technology developers and code officials.
| Sep 1, 2011
EPA Says Additional Lead Paint Cleaning Rules Not Necessary
The EPA has concluded that current Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (LRRP) cleaning requirements and lead-safe work regulations are sufficient to protect the public from lead dust hazards. āOur members have been instrumental in contacting legislators to detail the detrimental impact of the current LRRP," says Richard Walker, American Architectural Manufacturers Associationās president and CEO. āThis collective industry voice has prompted the EPA to make the responsible decision to refrain from adding further, unnecessary costs to homeowners under the current economic climate."http://www.aamanet.org/news/1/10/0/all/603/aama-commends-its-members-congress-for-vacating-lrrp-clearance-rule