Green Building Initiative Gains Support

Could all buildings constructed after 2030 really be carbon neutral? That's the dream of Architecture 2030, a non-profit group that is developing standard for building materials and energy efficiency.

The group's 2030 Challenge initiative was developed in conjunction with an impressive array of organizations including The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The group recently presented at the US Conference of Mayors and convinced the members to pass two resolutions aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions immediately.

The first was recommended that new construction of coal power plants include capture and sequestration of CO2 emissions, and the second supports the 2030 challenge, which calls for "all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their fossil-fuel GHG-emitting consumption by 50 percent by 2010, and all new buildings to be 'carbon neutral' by 2030."

Perhaps more than other alternative energy or green technology, designing buildings to minimize their energy and material consumption makes economic sense. The higher upfront cost of using the most energy efficient technologies can be paid off as part of the loan, as in the case of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

For example, in Placer County, California, a developer is adding 2 kw PV to the rooftops of 375 single family homes, so the savings in electricity will more than pay for the higher mortgage, plus you get the tax write off.

For rental units, there needs to be a clear incentive to build green because the tenants and not the operators benefit from the energy efficiency. Incentives from state and local governments could help to fill in the gap, as advertising energy efficient units may not be an easy sell in the rental marketplace.