Building Performance Standards: A Key Step Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
States with big commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are beginning to require that the owners of large buildings track how much energy they use and improve their efficiency. It’s part of a state, local, and federal effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions from office buildings, big-box stores, hotels, apartments, and other large commercial structures responsible for gulping down energy.
The Impact of Buildings on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Buildings are one of the five largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado, the state’s energy office estimates. And nationwide, commercial and residential buildings account for 13% of greenhouse gas emissions and 28% of energy consumption, according to federal energy estimates. Buildings rank not far behind the transportation sector, often considered the most obvious source of energy use and planet-heating emissions. In Washington, D.C., buildings account for an estimated 75% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Building Performance Standards: A Growing Trend
Oregon just became the latest state to join Colorado, Maryland, Washington, and the District of Columbia in approving what are known as building performance standards. Other states, including California, Rhode Island, Minnesota, and New York, are considering similar legislation. Many cities, including Boston, New York, and St. Louis, have already established their own performance standards for buildings and have joined a White House-led coalition of cities and states committed to enacting such standards.
Key Features of Building Performance Standards
In Oregon and beyond, most of the new statewide building performance standards require property owners to begin with an energy audit to benchmark how much energy the building consumes compared with similar structures and measure emissions. Once big building owners know how much energy they’re using, they can find ways to reduce it, such as by adding insulation and installing more efficient windows, lighting, and heating and air-conditioning systems.
Building performance standards differ from LEED certification, a voluntary rating system demonstrating that a structure meets certain green building and maintenance — and energy efficiency — goals.
The Benefits of Building Performance Standards
More efficient buildings can quickly make a difference in emissions and are cheaper to run, as they have lower utility bills. They also often have better indoor air quality, a critical measure since most people spend 90% of their time inside a building. Additionally, performance standards can make commercial buildings more attractive to potential tenants who have their own greenhouse gas reduction commitments and prefer to be in environmentally friendly buildings.
Progress and Challenges
While building performance standards have gained traction in states with ambitious climate goals, their adoption has been slow in other areas. Some building and apartment owners have expressed concerns about enforcement and the financial burden of compliance. However, these standards have broad support from green building groups, as investing in building energy efficiency is the most cost-efficient way to significantly reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
Conclusion
Building performance standards play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in large commercial buildings. As more states and cities embrace these standards, the benefits become evident in terms of lower emissions, reduced utility bills, improved indoor air quality, and increased attractiveness to potential tenants. By prioritizing energy efficiency in buildings, we can make significant progress towards a more sustainable future.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
– Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
– Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
The article discusses the need for buildings to track their energy use and improve their efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The specific target mentioned in the article is to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is energy intensity, which measures the amount of energy used per unit of GDP.
2. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
– Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
– Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities
The article highlights the role of buildings in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in cities. This relates to SDG 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The specific target mentioned in the article is to reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is the proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and adequately discharged.
3. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
The article emphasizes the need for buildings to improve their energy efficiency to address the challenges of climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The specific target mentioned in the article is to integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning. The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is the number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into education curricula.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: oregoncapitalchronicle.com
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