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Mayors Adopt AIA Position on Sustainability
Resolutions Call for Reduction in Fossil Fuel Used to Construct and Operate Buildings
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For Immediate Release |
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Washington, D.C., June 8,
2006 — Today at their National Convention and Design Expo, The American
Institute of Architects (AIA) announced that the U.S. Conference of
Mayors voted to unanimously approve the resolution “Adopting
the 2030 Challenge for All Buildings.” Sponsored by the mayors
of Chicago, Seattle, Miami, and Albuquerque, the resolution was
prompted by the AIA position statement that calls for the immediate
energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings to one-half the
national average for that building type, with increased reductions
of ten percent every five years so that all buildings designed by
the year 2030 will be carbon neutral – meaning that they will
use no fossil fuel energy.
Link to the full resolution: http://www.mayors.org/74thannualmeeting/resolutions/proposedresolutions_energy.pdf
The mayors also passed a resolution titled, “Establishing a
New Municipal Energy Agenda to Help Address the Nation’s
Energy and Environmental Challenges and Improve Local
Communities.” This resolution came as a result of a
presentation that was given by the AIA at last month’s U.S.
Conference of Mayors Energy & Environment Summit that focused
on energy usage. It contains the following goals:
1. Reduce energy usage in municipal buildings
2. Promote green buildings
3. Ensure residential energy assistance
4. Address climate change
5. Encourage diversity in energy generation
6. Improve municipal vehicle fleets
7. Encourage incentives to improve vehicle fuel efficiency
8. Invest in transit and walkable communities
9. Share best energy practices among cities
10. Encourage private sector initiatives.
AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, said, “This is a
tremendous step taken by the mayors to exert a strong leadership
position in addressing the nation’s ongoing energy crisis at a
time when global warming is venturing into dangerous territory. As
architects, we recognize our crucial role in designing a more
energy efficient built environment that will pay dividends for
decades to come. The AIA is poised to work in conjunction with the
nation’s mayors in pursuit of policy and regulatory changes
that will result in lasting legacy of green for future
generations.”
According to certain scientific calculations, buildings and the
embedded energy within their interiors account for an estimated 48
percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, far more than the 27
percent for transportation and 25 percent for industry.
Additionally, 76 percent of all electricity generated by power
plants goes toward operating buildings. If current trends continue,
it is anticipated that annual energy consumption in the U.S. will
increase by 37 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent
in the next 20 years.
The AIA and U.S. Conference of Mayors seek to reverse this trend by
setting a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. The plan will reduce
the use of fossil fuels in buildings by 60 percent in 2010, 70
percent in 2015, 80 percent in 2020, 90 percent in 2025, and full
carbon neutrality by 2030.
About The American Institute of Architects
For almost 150 years, members of The American Institute of
Architects have worked with each other and their communities to
create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings
and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people,
knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such
resources and access, they help clients and communities make their
visions real. www.aia.org
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