Net Zero

peter_j

The American Institute of Architects has signed an agreement of understanding with other building professionals and the US Department of Energy, committing to net zero energy buildings by 2030.

The participants were:
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Architecture 2030
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
- supported by representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Edward Mazria AIA: “The task we face is daunting... Working separately, we could accomplish something significant in each of our respective spheres. But by working together, we actually have a chance to influence the course of history - and we will.”

No sign of any building owners on that list unfortunately.

ARCHITECTURE 2030
AIA PRESS RELEASE 04.05.07

hairdresser

The UK Code for Sustainable Homes legislates binding regulations for energy reduction with staggered targets.
25% by 2010
44% by 2013
100% (zero emmisions) by 2016.

This can only be applauded.

That the AIA sets targets 15 years behind that is not great but they have a position.

The RAIA has no position to the best of my knowledge.
Makes you ashamed to live in this country - where large building companies whine about the cost of construction and pressure legislation in the opposite direction, fools speculate on property to unsustainable economic levels and the govt. appoints a lame duck Govt. Architect who must only open his mouth after the premier's assistants write the script.

peter_j

The RAIA was a signatory to the 2030 agreement mentioned above, the 2005 'Las Vegas Declaration'. Here's a brief rundown on what they signed up to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_2030

"Challenges" include:

* The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings be increased to:

60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral by 2030

I can't find anything on the Institute's website referring to the declaration they signed, other than a reference to Architecture 2030 on the contents page of the NSW chapter bulletin (Architecture Bulletin March 2007).

hairdresser

Something the RAIA would prefer not to talk too much about?
no clues yet how to do it?

its easy to confuse the concepts of carbon credits and carbon offsets.

Carbon credits are produced by reducing carbon emissions.

Carbon offsets on the other hand is a concept encouraged by fossil fuel producers and users.
Effectively plant trees and buy your way out of jail.
Whatever you do don't let the trees burn - because all your offsets go up in smoke and become emmissions again.
Only a fool thinks this is actually a workable concept.

The issue in the UK is about absolute reductions.
Very tight, high performance building codes and construction standards - like the standards that Germany or Scandinavia are already well down the road with.

The US and Australia (to an even larger extent - since we have absolutely no concept of how to deal with real climatic harshness) are childlishly insisting on a flawed idea that will allow their construction industries to continue with primitive, slipshod construction techniques that do not perform effeciently with regard to energy consumption.

End of Story - Period.