The International Energy Agency (IEA) published its first comprehensive roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Many governments use IEA’s modeling and conclusions as input for policy decisions. Much of the document’s focus is on energy generation and a transition to cleaner forms of transportation, but building efficiency is also included.
The net zero vision would have emissions from buildings drop by 40% by 2030 and more than 95% by 2050. That goal would require that by 2030, about 20% of the existing building stock worldwide be retrofitted and all new buildings comply with zero‐carbon‐ready building standards. A zero‐carbon‐ready building is defined as highly energy efficient using either renewable energy directly or from an energy supply that will be fully decarbonized by 2050.
The roadmap also calls for minimum energy performance standards and replacement schemes for low‐efficiency appliances to be introduced or strengthened in the 2020s in all countries. By the mid‐2030s, nearly all household appliances sold worldwide should be as efficient as the most efficient models available today.
Related Stories
| May 23, 2013
Group Health Puyallup medical center first project to achieve 'LEED for Health Care' certification
The Group Health Puyallup (Wash.) Medical Center is the first facility to be certified under the LEED for Healthcare (LEED-HC) rating system, earning LEED Gold.
| May 17, 2013
LEED v4 has provision to reduce water use in cooling towers
The next version of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system will expand water-savings targets to appliances, cooling towers, commercial kitchen equipment, and other areas.
| May 15, 2013
New York City Council okays plans for Cornell's huge net-zero tech campus
Cornell University's proposal to build a two million sf tech campus on Roosevelt Island has been approved by the New York City Council.
| May 15, 2013
Center for Green Schools, Architecture for Humanity release new tool for green schools
The 70-page guide demystifies the processes of identifying building improvement opportunities and finance and implementation strategies.
| May 15, 2013
AAMA extends NAFS certification on fenestration products
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) announced the release of an interim procedural guide that will provide a documented, optional process to extend current, unexpired AAMA product certification to any edition of AAMA/WDMA(/CSA) 101/I.S.2(/A440), North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights (NAFS).
| May 9, 2013
New developments would face tougher stormwater rules than redeveloped sites under EPA proposal
New developments would have to meet more stringent stormwater-retention standards than redeveloped sites under a forthcoming Environmental Protection Agency proposal.
| May 9, 2013
Proposed ASHRAE systems manual uniform procedure guideline open for public review
A proposed guideline that will establish a uniform procedure for transmitting design, construction, testing, and operational information to building owners and operators is open for public comment.
| May 9, 2013
Post-tornado Greensburg, Kan., leads world in LEED-certified buildings per capita
Six years after a tornado virtually wiped out the town, Greensburg, Kan., is the world's leading community in LEED-certified buildings per capita.
| May 9, 2013
SMACNA’s new HVAC sound and vibration guide open for public review
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association’s (SMACNA’s) new “HVAC Systems Sound and Vibration Guide” is available for a 45-day public review.
| May 9, 2013
NSF Sustainability launches VOC emissions testing, certification for commercial furniture industry
New program offers sustainable certification and indoor air quality testing for commercial furniture makers.
