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The 2030 Challenge: All new buildings, developments, and major renovations carbon-neutral by 2030
Posted on August 1, 2023 @ 5:42PM
The built environment is responsible for three fourths of annual global greenhouse gas emissions: buildings alone account for 39 percent. Eliminating these emissions is the key to addressing climate change and meeting Paris Climate Agreement targets.
The American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment sets a goal for all new buildings, developments, and renovations to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
The website architecture2030.org issued the '2030 Challenge' asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following targets:
All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting energy consumption performance standard of 70 percent below the regional (or country) average/median 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 70 percent of the regional (or country) average/median for that building type.
The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations shall be increased to:
80 percent carbon neutral in 2020
90 percent carbon neutral in 2025
100 percent carbon neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).
These targets may be met by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable energy, and/or purchasing (20 percent maximum) off-site renewable energy.
Sam Rodell Architects is an American Institute of Architects 2030 Signatory Firm. As the data we have documented with the AIA shows, all the residential and commercial projects active in our office in 2018 substantially exceed the goals stipulated by the 2030 challenge (the average overall reduction across our portfolio was 85%).
The most significant contributing factor is our consistent adoption of the German Passive House technologies in our projects to provide our clients with dramatically enhanced comfort, quality, and economy. To keep pace with the steadily increasing demands of the challenge, we are continuing to pursue innovative design research in all aspects of our architecture.
We build more environmentally responsible architecture without compromising beauty, comfort, or joy. Our clients enjoy ownership of properties that are both healthy and more economical to own, as each of the projects below demonstrate.
Author: Sam Rodell
Sam has practiced as an award winning architect for forty years, and has also built many of his clients' projects. He is licensed throughout most of the western USA and Canada, and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) which expedites registration in other states and provinces. He was the first Certified Passive House Consultant architect in eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
Author: Nate Robinson
Nate's focus on architecture as a means to improve the built environment whilst designing projects woven to their natural and cultural context aligns perfectly with the ethos of the studio. Nate participates in a variety of aspects of practice in his role as a project architect, including three dimensional modeling, energy modeling, and material research.
Author: Maren Longhurst
Maren is a licensed architect particularly interested in high performance architecture and building science. She holds a Masters in Architecture from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and is a Certified Passive House Consultant, certified LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment) professional, and a WELL Accredited Professional (a credential that signifies knowledge in health and wellness in the built environment and specialization in the WELL Building Standard). Maren is also on the Passive House Northwest board of directors.
