The U.S. Conference of Mayors voted unanimously to approve a resolution prompted by the AIA position statement that calls for the immediate energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings to half the national average for that building type, with increased reductions of 10 percent every five years so that all buildings designed by the year 2030 will be carbon neutral—meaning that they will use no fossil fuel energy. AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, announced the Conference of Mayors action to AIA 2006 National Convention and Exposition attendees. The mayors of Chicago, Seattle, Miami, and Albuquerque sponsored the resolution, “Adopting the 2030 Challenge for All Buildings.”

The mayors also passed a resolution titled, “Establishing a New Municipal Energy Agenda to Help Address the Nation’s Energy and Environmental Challenges and Improve Local Communities.” This resolution came as a result of a presentation given by the AIA at last month’s U.S. Conference of Mayors Energy & Environment Summit that focused on energy usage. It contains the following goals.

• Reduce energy usage in municipal buildings.
• Promote green buildings.
• Ensure residential energy assistance.
• Address climate change.
• Encourage diversity in energy generation.
• Improve municipal vehicle fleets.
• Encourage incentives to improve vehicle fuel efficiency.
• Invest in transit and walkable communities.
• Share best energy practices among cities.
• Encourage private sector initiatives.

“This is a tremendous step taken by the mayors to exert a strong leadership position in addressing the nation’s ongoing energy crisis at a time when global warming is venturing into dangerous territory,” Schwennsen said. “As architects, we recognize our crucial role in designing a more energy efficient built environment that will pay dividends for decades to come. The AIA is poised to work in conjunction with the nation’s mayors in pursuit of policy and regulatory changes that will result in lasting legacy of green for future generations.”

According to certain scientific calculations, buildings and the embedded energy within their interiors account for an estimated 48 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, far more than the 27 percent for transportation and 25 percent for industry. Additionally, 76 percent of all electricity generated by power plants goes toward operating buildings. If current trends continue, it is anticipated that annual energy consumption in the U.S. will increase by 37 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent in the next 20 years.

The AIA and U.S. Conference of Mayors seek to reverse this trend by setting a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. The plan will reduce the use of fossil fuels in buildings by 60 percent in 2010, 70 percent in 2015, 80 percent in 2020, 90 percent in 2025, and full carbon neutrality by 2030.

Copyright 2006 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page