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Take the Architecture 2030 Challenge!

Buildings are the world’s largest users of energy and natural resources.  They are responsible for 48% of our electricity demand (40% to operate and 8% to construct).  In fact, 76% of all electricity generated by US power plants goes to supply the building sector. Therefore, we can take immediate action when renovating o constructing new buildings to avoid hazardous climate change.

Chicago has adopted the Architecture 2030 challenge for its municipal buildings and is in the process of building a Climate Action Plan that focuses on energy reduction for all buildings in all sectors (residential, institutional, commercial and industrial).¹  It's a great start - but implementation of proposals currently underway is key to the plan's success.  Ask Chicago officials, your City alderman or government officials to modify building codes to incorporate the Architecture 2030 Challenge, regardless of size, use, or ownership, so that:

▪    All new buildings, developments and major renovations to be designed to meet a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

▪    At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

▪    That the fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings be increased to:

-       60% in 2010

-       70% in 2015

-       80% in 2020

-       90% in 2025

-       Carbon-neutral by 2030 (using no fossil-fuel GHG-emitting energy to operate)

These targets are readily achievable and that most developments and buildings can be designed to use only a small amount of energy at little or no additional cost through proper planning, siting, building form, glass properties and location, material selection and by incorporating natural heating, cooling, ventilation, and day-lighting strategies.  The additional energy a development or building would then need to maintain comfort and operate equipment can be supplied by renewable sources such as solar (photovoltaics, hot water heating, etc.), wind, and geothermal energy.

To find out what actions you can take as a homeowner, resident, or community leader, visit: Architecture 2030 Challenge.

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¹Watch this website for information on Chicago's Climate Action Plan, which will be provided upon its release this fall.  This will include ways you can take advantage of grants, low-interest loans and other incentives to upgrade your property.

A number of buildings built in the late 70’s and early 80’s as part of a US Department of Energy study achieved energy reductions between 50 and 80% just through efficient design techniques. The following examples of energy-efficient design strategies are low-cost.  You can use them to reduce your home's use of fossil fuels (click on links):

Proper Insulation

Passive Solar

Daylighting

Natural Ventilation

Landscaping

Material Selection

Global Warming

Think You're Making a Difference?

Think Again.

There are over 125 new conventional coal-fired power plants in various stages of development in the US today.  These will negate actions underway to reduce climate change, unless we say NO MORE COAL!  Read more . . .

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Eco-Justice Collaborative

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