Recognizing that the building sector is responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have adopted 'The 2030 Challenge' targets.
The 2030 Challenge, a global initiative officially launched by Architecture 2030 in January 2006, calls for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their fossil-fuel GHG-emitting energy consumption by 50 percent immediately, increasing this reduction to 60 percent in 2010, 70 percent in 2015, 80 percent in 2020, 90 percent in 2025, and finally, that all new buildings would be carbon neutral by the year 2030.
"Eliminating the built environment's negative contribution to climate change is not just a strategic priority, it's our collective responsibility to generations to come,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, USGBC. “Science tells us we have 3650 days to meet that goal, and urgent action is required."
"The building industry is coming together around the common goal of Architecture 2030's targets for reductions in energy use. The organizations and individuals in this meeting need to reach out to the entire industry, encouraging them all to work together in achieving these targets," says R.K. Stewart, President-elect of AIA.
The 2030 Challenge targets had previously been adopted by the 78,000 member AIA, the US Conference of Mayors (for all buildings in all cities; Resolution #50) and individual cities and counties; endorsed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and incorporated into their "Statement of Action"; integrated into the EPA's Target Finder; and promoted by the National Wildlife Federation and others.
A critical component to the success of this effort is the definition of a baseline by which all reductions will be measured, says USGBC. A complete regional database of actual energy use for all building types is not currently available. To provide an immediate and interim solution, the group adopted the data supplied by the Energy Information Agency's (US Department of Energy), which is currently used by the EPA in their Target Finder program.
"The task we face is daunting. Working separately, we could accomplish something significant in each of our respective spheres. But by working together, we actually have a chance to influence the course of history," says Edward Mazria, founder and Executive Director of Architecture 2030.
