Smart, green, productive and efficient buildings contribute to urban efficiency and high-performance cities. Buildings don’t turn green with a fresh coat of paint, and building green is not an afterthought. Green, net zero building principles encompass the entire life cycle of a building—from the design and construction phases to the operation and maintenance of the building. Green buildings efficiently select and use resources and engage occupants to live and work in the buildings in a sustainable manner. Those that match their energy demand with on-site energy production can achieve “net-zero” status. Increasingly, green and net zero buildings are demonstrating real market traction - and the benefits are becoming clear. Photo credit: Brad Kahn/Flickr
Photo by Franck Michel/Flickr
NEW YORK (September 23, 2019) — All buildings must be net zero carbon by 2050 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, but fewer than 1% of buildings are today. Closing this gap will require dramatically enhanced ambition and execution of more efficient buildings and renewable energy supply.
Achieving zero carbon buildings is within reach.
WASHINGTON (September 17, 2019) — While zero carbon buildings have previously been assumed to be attainable only by technologically advanced or wealthy countries, new WRI research finds there are policy pathways to reach zero carbon buildings regardless of location or development status.
Tshwane, South Africa. Photo by South African Tourism/Flickr
Today, the City of Tshwane, South Africa, took its energy efficiency efforts to the next level, announcing new commitments to retrofit and refurbish public buildings with the assistance of the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA).
India taps into zero-carbon buildings’ climatic, economic and social benefits, decreasing energy demand and increasing efficiency and access. Photo by Adam Cohn/Flickr
In 2013, the world’s cities accounted for 64 percent of primary energy use and 70 percent of CO2 emissions.
India taps into zero-carbon buildings’ climatic, economic and social benefits, decreasing energy demand and increasing efficiency and access. Photo by Adam Cohn/Flickr
In 2013, the world’s cities accounted for 64 percent of primary energy use and 70 percent of CO2 emissions.
This synthesis report in French summarizes the key points of the Building Efficiency Initiative's 2016 report, Accelerating Building Efficiency: 8 Actions for Urban Leaders.
Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City. Photo by Dan/Flickr.
Globally, buildings account for 40 percent of total energy consumption and 33 percent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Mexico City Skyline. Photo Credit: Alex Steffler/Flickr
PARIS (December 7, 2015)—At Energy Day, COP21, several cities and subnational jurisdictions, businesses, and organizations joined the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA).
Buildings, such as the Bullitt Center, not only utilize renewable energy, but are designed to consume less energy overall. (Photo: Brad Kahn/ Flickr)
Google recently released Project Sunroof—an interactive online tool that allows building owners to estimate how much money they can save by installing solar panels on their roofs.