The 2030 Challenge and the 2030 AIA Commitment
The 2030 Challenge is an initiative by Architecture 2030; a non-profit organization, that strives to beat the woes of climate change by implementing energy-efficient planning and design.
The challenge aims to make all new buildings and renovations carbon-neutral by the year 2030 to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change caused by the building sector. Buildings, construction, and operation activities generate nearly 40% of annual GreenHouse Gas emissions, consequently, there is a larger scope to stabilize and reverse emissions in this sector, in order to avoid increased global warming to reach a tipping point.
The 2030 Challenge can be met by following these steps:
- Establish an EUI baseline and target using the Zero Tool.
- Apply low/no cost passive design strategies to achieve maximum energy efficiency. Visit the 2030 Palette for ideas.
- Integrate energy efficient technology and systems.
- Incorporate on-site and/or off-site renewable energy to meet the remaining energy demands.
- Engage in iterative energy modeling throughout the entire design process to understand the interactive effects of various design decisions and to assess progress towards meeting the EUI target.
To support the 2030 Challenge, the American Institute of Architects created the 2030 Commitment Program, aimed at transforming the practice of architecture to respond to the climate crisis in a way that is holistic, firm-wide, project-based, and data-driven. Over 400 A/E/P firms have adopted the 2030 Commitment, and firms from all over the country have been tracking and reporting projects since 2010.
BRIBURN joined the 2030 Commitment Program in 2019, and reported projects that have been energy modeled in the office for the year 2020. We are proud that many of our submitted projects exceeded the 80% energy reduction target for 2020. This commitment aligns with BRIBURN’s vision and encourages us all to keep going and push our capabilities until all our buildings become carbon neutral.
A glimpse at our best performing projects for 2020:
