Building Codes
Consider this: 80% of Americans now live in or around cities, and by mid-century, 90% will. All those buildings, for living, working and playing. We don't think of them this way, but buildings are machines that make our way of life possible. They also consume 50% of the power this country generates.
Flick a switch, adjust a dial, turn a knob, push a lever and without much thinking anymore, we control heating and cooling, lighting, water supply, waste disposal. We control our living environments as never before, but it all requires massive amounts of energy derived from fossil fuels. In fact, most of the electricity generated in this country comes from coal, the dirtiest fuel available.
Builders and architects believe that in a single generation, we can bring buildings to carbon neutrality and dramatically cut America's carbon footprint. How? By reforming our building codes so that our buildings use energy far more efficiently. The result? Same way of life, only much cleaner and ultimately cheaper. There's a simple fix to building codes that many cities are working to implement, showing the way forward for states and the nation.
Where the Action Is
The simple fix for building codes is called the 2030 Challenge, and here's the path it blazes to carbon neutrality. Immediately, increase the energy efficiency required of all new construction and renovations by 50%. Then, starting in 2010 and every five years thereafter, improve the energy efficiency required of buildings an additional 10%. The outcome of this process of continual improvement? By 2030, we will be constructing buildings that are virtually carbon neutral.
Building codes are still largely local affairs. Cities and towns are in charge of their own regulations, and they are embracing the 2030 challenge. First came unanimous endorsement by the US Conference of Mayors, and adoption by cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Seattle and Chicago, Miami and Plano. Even where the challenege is not formally adopted, its intent is being met. Witness New York City's 30 year sustainability plan, called PlaNYC 2030. It calls for making the city's 950,000 buildings more energy efficient, as part of an effort to reduce the city's contribution to global warming pollution by 30%.
There is a national building code, but it's not mandatory, so no one pays much attention to it. At the state level, it's California's code (no surprise) that's the best in the USA. Promulgated in the 1970s, California's Title 24 is part of the reason why the nation's largest economy is one of the most fuel efficient.
Where the Momentum Is
Building code reform could not proceed without the support of professional organizations and leading builders. They are helping to lead the way forward. First step, accomplished in May 2007, was adoption of a common benchmark and energy reduction targets.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Architecture 2030, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), supported by representatives of the U.S.Department of Energy, finalized an agreement of understanding, establishing a common starting point (benchmark) and a goal of net zero energy buildings.
Dozens of architectural firms have adopted the 2030 targets, including giant international such as Perkins and Will, and HOK. The full and growing list can be accessed here.
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