Mayors Move to Halt Climate Change with Carbon-neutral Buildings

7/10/2006 By Joann Gonchar

An ambitious set of performance targets for buildings has won the support of the nation’s mayors. At a meeting in Las Vegas early last month, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a group representing cities with a population of 30,000 or more, unanimously approved a resolution calling for an immediate reduction in consumption of energy generated from fossil fuels by 50 percent for all new and renovated buildings.

The measure, known as the “2030 Challenge,” was sponsored by Mayors Richard Daley of Chicago, Greg Nickels of Seattle, Manuel Diaz of Miami, and Martin Chavez of Albuquerque. It calls for further reductions in fossil-fuel use of 10 percent every five years, with an ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. The resolution’s performance targets parallel those outlined in a sustainable-practice position statement adopted late last year by the American Institute of Architects board of directors.

Prior to passage of the resolution on June 5, the group’s energy committee debated whether the intent of the measure was to target municipal buildings or all buildings, according to Paul Mendelsohn, AIA, senior director of state and local affairs. The committee, and ultimately the full body of mayors, approved language that would apply to all buildings. “If you constrain the measure to only city-owned buildings, then you profoundly reduce the desired outcome,” says Mendelsohn.

In order for the measure to have real impact, it must now be translated into enforceable policy, says Ed Mazria, AIA, a Santa Fe architect. “Now the resolution needs to be codified in executive orders and legislation, and it must work its way into building codes,” says Mazria, who has done extensive research on building energy consumption and on the link between the built environment and climate change. He addressed the mayors group at a mid-May summit on energy and the environment held in Chicago, where he urged adoption of the resolution.

In addition to regulations, incentives can also be an important tool for encouraging private developers to build more efficient buildings, says Sadhu Johnston, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of the Environment. He points to his city’s recently instituted expedited permit process for developers of green buildings.

Passage of the carbon neutrality measure is one sign of more public visibility for architects, say some sources. “I am hopeful that this does indicate a new role for architects,” says RK Stewart, FAIA, a principal in the San Francisco office of Gensler and 2007 incoming AIA president. “Now architects are engaging in debate about issues of long-term benefit to the public, not only on sustainability, but also on topics such as the creation of livable communities.”