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 On March 5, 2009 OAA Council demonstrated its strong support for ‘going green’ by adopting the 2030 Challenge. Council had been aware and monitoring the 2030 Challenge as originally introduced in 2006 and adopted by the RAIC in 2007. Most recently, the Challenge was reviewed by the OAA’s Sustainable Built Environments Committee (SBEC) and recommended to Council that it adopt the 2030 Challenge:
To avoid catastrophic climate change, the growth rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must firstly be slowed and then reversed over the next 10 years. The key to keeping global warming under one degree centigrade (°C) above today's level will require immediate action and a concerted global effort. To accomplish this The 2030 Challenge asks the global architecture and building community to adopt a series of targets.
Buildings are the major source of demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG).
To accomplish this, Architecture 2030 has issued The 2030 Challenge asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following targets:
- All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
- At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
- The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations shall be increased to:
60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).
These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum) renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.
“This is just the beginning,” says Sean O’Reilly, Chair of the SBEC and Immediate Past President. “This is just one of many initiatives the OAA is planning to implement over the next few years to support and promote Green and sustainable building activities.”
The Association plans to assist its members in a number of ways: through education, sourcing opportunities through education and industry, improving access to industry and industry initiatives, as well as providing speakers and courses on green activities and initiatives. OAA Members are encouraged to contribute and to continue to monitor the OAA wWeb site for ConEd Opportunities and for more information on upcoming sessions as they become available.
The OAA Web site is being constantly updated to assist with developing these Green priorities and provide improved content and resources to OAA members. Plans are underway for a major redesign of the Web site which will improve this access to information and opportunities even further.
For more information on the 2030 Challenge, visit: http://www.architecture2030.org/home.html
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