The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has released a roadmap that it says charts a path for federal buildings projects to achieve zero embodied carbon emissions by 2050.
Emissions standards can feasibly be set by the federal government to zero or “carbon-positive” levels, creating a framework for agencies to build carbon-storing projects by 2045, RMI says. Federal whole-project embodied carbon emissions standards could directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a cumulative 17 million tons of CO2 by 2050—equivalent to removing 3.6 million gas-powered cars from the road for a year.
By enacting embodied carbon emissions standards, the federal government could catalyze markets for disruptive, deeply decarbonized materials, such as zero-carbon cement, zero-carbon steel, mass timber, or bio-based insulation. Concrete and steel represent more than 60% of embodied carbon emissions for US federal buildings, according to RMI.
RMI’s plan would also embrace climate-smart portfolio planning that calculates the embodied carbon value of preservation, renovation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. In addition, the plan includes whole project embodied carbon performance standards benchmarking of buildings.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes
The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 6, 2016
A solar canopy makes Miami’s arena more functional
NRG Energy teams with Miami Heat to transform an underused open-air plaza and reinforce the facility’s green reputation
BIM and Information Technology | Nov 18, 2015
AIA: Energy modeling key to reaching carbon neutrality in buildings
Energy modeling allows architects to be more ambitious with energy-saving in their design projects.
Energy-Efficient Design | Nov 2, 2015
Energy Department’s Building Technology Office seeks public input
Draft Multi-Year Program Plan available for review.
Energy-Efficient Design | Aug 31, 2015
South Carolina business school on track to be region’s first net-zero energy commercial building
The project is part of a large DOE initiative to develop more buildings that can generate as much energy as they consume.
Green | Jul 16, 2015
7 parking facilities first to earn Green Garage Certification
The new program rates parking structures based on 48 elements of operation, from water reuse to bicycle parking to car sharing options.
Green | Jun 9, 2015
Fuel cell technology makes its way into energy generation
Demand for fuel cells, while modest, is growing, and cost savings are getting noticed.
Green | Apr 7, 2015
USGBC survey shows Fortune 200 companies prioritize green building
The world’s top-performing companies are prioritizing sustainability as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, and a majority of them are using LEED to achieve their goals, according to the new survey.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015
DOE releases Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines
The guidelines are aimed at strengthening and streamlining commercial building workforce training and certification programs for workers in energy auditing, building commissioning, building operations, and energy management.
Sponsored | Walls and Partitions | Mar 25, 2015
Metl-Span systems meet design needs in cost effective manner
The goal from the beginning was to construct an energy efficient building with insulated metal panels.