Architecture 2030 is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization, which was established in 2012, by architect Edward Mazria, in response to the climate change crisis. According to the Architecture 2030 website, “Our goal is straightforward: to achieve a dramatic reduction in the climate-change-causing greenhouse gas emissions of the Building Sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed and constructed”. To accomplish this goal, Architecture 2030 has issued “The 2030 Challenge”, asking the global architecture and building community to adopt the following:
-“All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 60% below the regional (or country) average/median 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 60% of the regional (or country) average/median for that building type.
-The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings and major renovations shall be increased to:
- 70% in 2015
- 80% in 2020
- 90% in 2025
- Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate)”.
Architecture 2030 believes these targets can be reached by using renewable energy sources. The organization also believes that since buildings have essentially been the problem, it is now time for buildings to become the solution.
The American Institute of Architects has developed a similar program which the organization is calling the “AIA 2030 Commitment”. They are trying to reach similar goals by implementing a standardized reporting format to help firms evaluate the impact their design decisions have on energy performance and the environment.