Summary: Mayor L. Douglas Wilder announced October 3 that his City of Richmond, Va., has adopted the 2030 Challenge, with the intent of making the capital of that commonwealth carbon neutral by the year 2030. The 2030 Challenge is the brainchild of Architecture 2030, an independent, nonprofit organization founded by New Mexico architect Edward Mazria, AIA. (The AIA itself adopted the challenge late last year.) Mayor Wilder has asked AIA Virginia to work with organizations across the state to reach this goal. Richmond already has undertaken energy efficiency and conservation measures that include purchasing hybrid-fuel vehicles, installing LED traffic lights, and promoting utility conservation through consumer education outreach.

The major ideas developed by citizen groups to achieve these goals are:

1. Revise the city’s master plan, incorporating defined environmental policies within the city’s plan for future development
2. Establish a baseline and methodology for estimating and measuring the energy usage of all building types in the metro region and for measuring greenhouse gases associated with such energy use
3. Establish an energy manager position or management team with the authority and independence to effect change in the community; the city’s energy manager would have authority over all aspects of the implementation of Richmond’s program—note that this position would not have any involvement in the energy performance of city-owned buildings, but rather the development, adoption, and implementation of the overall program points discussed in this document, and for developing the market toward adoption of the program
4. Institute incentives for designs and programs that reduce energy use or provide energy through renewable resources
5. Develop and implement an educational program that would enhance the possibility of a cultural shift among decision makers in the political, business, educational, and nonprofit communities as well as citizens of the region
6. Adopt a sustainable/energy-efficient/green building program to establish standards for new and renovated structures
7. Investigate opportunities offered through the re-regulation of the utility industry; innovative collaboration of educational, business, nonprofit, and governmental entities; and other avenues as they arise
8. Adjust auditing procedures to allow operating-budget savings realized through energy-efficient design to offset capital-budget expenses for initial construction or renovations
9. Market Richmond’s green qualities and aspirations to current and future residents and businesses by partnering with all local marketing entities, such as Venture Richmond and news entities to ensure that Richmond’s commitment to carbon neutrality is leveraged by every marketing avenue available.

Richmond’s plan could serve as a model for other jurisdictions. To see Richmond’s plan so far, visit the city’s Web site.